Source: https://ecode360.com/8480712
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 22:23:25+00:00

Document:
§ 405-3 Attorney fees approved.
§ 405-5 Effective date and retroactivity.
For additional information regarding County budgeting and finance policies, see Art. VII.
For additional information regarding property assessments, see Arts. 207, 209 and 210.
This chaptershall be known as the "Tax, Tax Claim and Tax Lien Attorney Fees and Servicing Charges, Expenses and Fees Ordinance."
Title search. In any enforcement proceeding, the actual cost of a title search in an amount not to exceed $250 shall constitute a reasonable expense for each title search necessary for the initiation of each proceeding and compliance with Pa. R.C.P. 3129. The sum, not to exceed $50, shall constitute a reasonable expense for each bringdown or update of the title search in connection with entry of judgment, issuance of execution, listing for sale, or other action.
Flat fee matters. The following schedule of attorney fees is hereby adopted and approved as reasonable attorney fees pursuant to Act 1 and Act 20 for all matters described, which fees shall be awarded to the municipality, its agents, counsel or assigns in each action initiated pursuant to the Act for the collection of unpaid claims. The property owner's obligation to pay the full amount of the flat fee for each phase of each action shall accrue upon the initiation of any aspect of each phase. The full amount of each flat fee for each prior phase of the proceeding shall carry over and be due on a cumulative basis together with the flat fee for each subsequent phase.
Federal tax liens, judgments and mortgages. Where there are federal tax liens, federal judgments, federal mortgages or other record federal interests, the sum of $200 shall constitute reasonable attorney fees for all matters necessary to properly notify and serve the United States with all required additional notice and the presentation of related motions to court.
Investigation of defendant(s) whereabouts and preparation of affidavit of diligent search: $100.
Entry of judgment. The sum of $225 shall constitute reasonable attorney fees in connection with entry of judgment which shall include preparation and filing of the praecipe to enter judgment, notices of judgment, affidavit of non-military status, and the praecipe to satisfy judgment.
Writ of execution - sheriff's sale of property. The sum of $700 shall constitute reasonable attorney fees for preparation of all documents necessary for each execution upon any judgment pursuant to the Act. This sum shall include the preparation and filing of the praecipe for writ of execution, all Sheriff's documents, preparation and service of notices of sheriff's sale, staying the writ of execution, and attendance at one Sheriff's sale.
Postponements. The sum of $100 shall constitute reasonable attorney fees for each continuance of Sheriff's sale at the request of the defendant.
Sale pursuant to § 31 of the Act, 53 P.S. § 7281. The sum of $7000 shall constitute reasonable attorney fees for the sale of property pursuant to § 31 of the Act, 53 P.S. § 7281, including preparation and service of necessary documents, court appearances, attendance at sale and preparation of proposed schedule of distribution of the proceeds realized from such sale.
Sale pursuant to § 31.1 of the Act, 53 P.S. § 7282. The sum of $500 shall constitute reasonable attorney fees for a sale of property pursuant to § 31.1 of the Act, 53 P.S. § 7282, including the preparation of necessary documents, service, court appearances, and the preparation of proposed Sheriff's schedule of distribution.
Installment payment agreement. The sum of $150 shall constitute reasonable attorney fees for the preparation of each written installment payment agreement.
Motions. The sum of $200 shall constitute reasonable attorney fees for the preparation, filing, and presentation of motions, other than for alternative service, which shall include, but are not limited to, motions to reassess damages, motions to amend caption, and motions to continue the Sheriff's sale.
Editor's Note: "Act 1" refers to Act 1 of 1996, which amended the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, 53 P.S. § 7101 et seq.
Editor's Note: "Act 20" refers to Act 20 of 2003, which amended the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, 53 P.S. § 7101 et seq.
Junior attorneys (practicing law for less than 10 years): $160 per hour.
Each of the above is as recorded and charged in units of 1/10th of an hour for all time devoted to enforcement and collection of the municipality's claims. Counsel, whether duly employed or duly appointed by the municipality, its agents or assigns, shall not deviate from this fee schedule absent a subsequent ordinance amending the same. Hourly rate matters include, but are not limited to, any matters where any defense, objection, motion, petition or appearance is entered in any phase of any proceeding by or on behalf of any defendant or other interested party.
Required notice. The notice required by the Act, as amended, 53 P.S. § 7106, shall be provided in accordance therewith and shall be incorporated into an appropriate delinquency notice or notices sent by the municipality, Treasurer, its agent, counsel or assigns.
Fees to be accrued and claims to be filed. Fees shall accrue for all efforts in collection after the 30th day after the notice, or after the 10th day of any required second notice under the Act, as amended, 53 P.S. § 7106, on all accounts referred to counsel for enforcement. Fees accumulated as a result of enforced collection shall be certified by duly appointed counsel for the Treasurer authorized to pursue collection of claims pursuant to the Act, or by counsel for the municipality, Treasurer, or agents or assigns and, if not collected in due course with the debt as by voluntary payment, shall be included in any claims filed on behalf of the municipality, Treasurer, or by its agents or assigns in the course of enforcement, including any claims originally filed with the prothonotary, any claims filed with the Sheriff or in any other claims filed or statements provided where attorney fees are due.
This chaptershall take effect on the date of enactment set forth below and, with respect to attorney fees pursuant to §§ 405-3 and 405-4, shall apply to all taxes, tax claims and tax liens, writs of scire facias, judgments, or executions filed on or after December 19, 1990, or as otherwise provided by law.
In no event shall the Municipality's or Treasurer's right to charge and collect reasonable attorney fees pursuant to § 405-3 of this chapterbe impaired by the fact that any claim may also include an attorney commission of 5% for claims filed prior to December 19, 1990. Any attorney fees assessed and collected under this or any prior ordinances pursuant to Act 1 shall be in addition to any five-percent commission previously included in any claim or judgment thereon.
Attorney fees and expenses incurred in pending enforcement proceedings prior to the effective date of this article, pursuant to a prior ordinances adopted under Act 1, but not collected, shall remain due and owing in accordance therewith, and shall be incorporated in any future statement, claim, pleading, judgment, or execution. Attorney fees and expenses in any pending or new action incurred after the effective date of this chaptershall be incurred, charged, and collected in accordance with the schedules and procedures set forth in this article.
The municipality and/or Treasurer may assign the provisions of this chapterto any assignee of its claims unless the assignment limits the assignee's ability to collect such amounts. The municipality, Treasurer, and its duly authorized agents and their counsel shall retain all rights to charge reasonable attorney fees, charges, expenses, and fees in accordance with the provisions of this chapterin actions commenced under the Act and for servicing any claims retained by the municipality.

References: § 405
 § 31
 § 7281
 § 31
 § 7281
 § 31
 § 7282
 § 31
 § 7282
 § 7101
 § 7101
 § 7106
 § 7106
 § 405