Foreclosures and No Tax Sales

The Milwaukee County Treasurer uses the "in rem" foreclosure process to collect on properties where the owner is behind at least 1 year in taxes. In practice this is actually about 2 years. The process is straightfoward and details can be found in Chapter 75 Wisconsin Statutes. Each year the County Treasurer sends out collection notices. By the time foreclosure is being considered, the property owner has received numerous notices of delinquent taxes. Certified letters are sent to all parties with an interest in a property that is picked for foreclosure (this includes the owner, any lenders or other entities that have a lien on the property) notifying them of the imminent foreclosure and what steps may be taken to avoid it. A redemption deadline is set not less than 8 weeks from the date of the first publication in the Daily Reporter newspaper.

The Treasurer works with taxpayers to make arrangements to pay their delinquent taxes and avoid foreclosure. The Court appoints an independent attorney who acts as Guardian ad Litem. That means an attorney answerable to the court checks with the owners of tax delinquent property on the foreclosure list to see if any of the owners are under age 18 or are legally incompetent. This lengthy process was established by law to help the owner retain her/his rights in the property.

The Treasuer has established a program for seniors to assist them in paying their taxes and solving other financial problems. United Way is the major funder of the service which involves financial counseling in the owner's home. Look for information about this program under the name HOPE. When all attempts to keep the owners in their home or business property fail, the property title is taken by Milwaukee County in a default action in court.