When the title search came in, it revealed something we almost never see: a federal restitution lien filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for nearly half a million dollars. The property had been owned by a husband and wife, but the husband had since been convicted of serious criminal activity and was serving time in federal prison. As part of the case, the government had placed a lien on the home.
By the time the property came to us, the wife had divorced and was trying to move forward with her life. She had no involvement in her former spouse’s crimes, yet she was stuck — unable to sell the home and emotionally overwhelmed. When she called our office, she was in tears, feeling like she would never be able to escape a situation she didn’t create.
Instead of seeing a dead end, our team saw a path that just needed time and careful navigation.
We reached out directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and began a series of conversations that lasted nearly six months. Our goal was to find a fair resolution — one that honored the government’s restitution claim while also recognizing that an innocent party was simply trying to rebuild her life.
Through steady communication and detailed negotiation, we were able to reach an agreement: a portion of the proceeds from the sale would go toward the restitution lien, and the remaining funds would be released to the seller. With that approval in place, we cleared title and moved the transaction to closing.
The result?
- The government recovered funds toward its claim
- The buyer received clear title to the property
- And most importantly, the seller was finally able to move on from a painful chapter and start fresh
What began as a file that looked impossible to close ended with relief, resolution, and a successful transaction for all parties involved.
At Shafritz & Dean, we don’t just process paperwork — we advocate, we problem-solve, and we stick with even the toughest title issues until we find a solution. Because sometimes, a closing is more than a transaction. Sometimes, it’s a turning point.