Opinion ID: 1173324
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Brower v. Wells

Text: Dorothy Brower, a 70-year-old widow, resides on her property with her son and daughter-in-law. The City of Yakima initiated proceedings in 1978 to foreclose local improvements liens for irrigation water service to the Brower property. Francis Brower, Mrs. Brower's deceased husband, was listed on the assessment rolls as the owner of the property although he died in 1976. Mrs. Brower had succeeded to the ownership of the property pursuant to a community property agreement, and had been listed on the county tax rolls since January 1977. The foreclosure proceedings were entirely in the name of Francis Brower as the owner of the property. On April 21, 1978, the City mailed to Francis Brower at the property address a notice about foreclosure proceedings. The notice contained a copy of the city ordinance section relating to foreclosure, and a request that his delinquent assessment of $64.51 be paid by May 22. On July 11, 1978, the assistant city attorney mailed a letter to the same person and address, again indicating that some court action, foreclosure and sale, would occur unless the assessment was paid immediately. Mrs. Brower did not respond to any of these communications. In September 1978, the City filed an action in superior court against the Brower property. The only notice of the foreclosure suit was by publication of the summons in the Yakima Herald Republic. Mrs. Brower did not subscribe to the paper, did not see the published summons, and remained unaware that foreclosure proceedings had been initiated. The property was ultimately purchased at a foreclosure sale by Wells for $76.48, representing the delinquency and costs. Mrs. Brower received no notice of any rights under a foreclosure sale  to redeem, to claim a homestead, or to demand an upset price.