spacerAbout Philly VIPspacerVolunteersspacerTraining & MentoringspacerGet Legal HelpspacerSupport Our WorkspacerNews & Eventsspacer

Home > Get Legal Help > Issue Areas

Issue Areas

Please click on the links below to find helpful information and resources to assist you with your legal issue.

 

Child Abuse Expungement

Civil Forfeiture

Consumer Issues

 

Domestic Relations

(Adoptions, Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, Name Change for adult or minor, Birth Certificate Amendment for adult or minor)

Driver's Licenses

[Back to top]

Employment

Estate Planning

(Wills, Healthcare Directive, Power of Attorney)

[Back to top]

Guardianship

[Back to top]

Housing

City Services Related to Owning Your Own Home

Getting Information About Your Home

Informational Pamphlets

Online Resources

  • Board of Revision of Taxes of the City of Philadelphia:
    Provides information on who owns a property, the approximate value of the property (as determined by the City), and real estate tax balances.
  • Hallwatch:
    Nonprofit website that provides tax and value about properties in Philadelphia. (You will need to sign up for a free account by clicking "Sign up" at the very top of the page.)

*A Caution About Online Resources: Although the internet is a good starting place to gather property information, sometimes the information provided on these webpages is not entirely accurate. The only way to ensure that you have accurate information on a property is to go to the Department of Records in person. See the instructions below for going to the Department of Records.

City Resources

  • City of Philadelphia Department of Records:
    This is the City department that is in charge of recording deeds and providing copies of deeds already recorded. You can view property records by going to Room 154 of City Hall, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. If you would like to obtain a copy of any recorded documents, the cost is $2 per page.
  • City of Philadelphia Register of Wills:
    This is the City department that is responsible for approving the administration of deceased person's estates, including those who die with a will and those who die without a will.
    • If you would like to know whether someone has applied to administer a deceased person's estate, you should call the Register of Wills at (215) 686-6261. However, you may have to visit their office in person in order to find out this information. Their office is located in Room 180 of City Hall.
    • If you would like to apply to administer a deceased person's estate, you should call the Register of Wills at (215) 686-6250, to ask what you need to bring in to apply. Their office is located in Room 180 of City Hall.

Homeownership/Tangled Title Issues

Housing Counseling Agencies

Joyce Kyle
Carroll Park Community Council
5218 Master Street
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 877-1157

Samol Heng
The Partnership CDC
4020 Market Street - Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 662-1612

Sarah Muhammad
Housing Association of Delaware Valley
Counseling Site Office
658 North Watts Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 978-0224, ext. 111

Linda Forward
Bridget Ryan
United Communities Southeast Philadelphia
2029 S. 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 467-8700

Ann Czajka
New Kensington CDC
2513-15 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 427-0350 x3

Ruth Gaskins
Urban League of Philadelphia
Ten Penn Center
1801 Market Street - Suite 250
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 561-6070

Susan Cole
South of South Neighborhood Association
1711 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 732-844

Joan Atkins
West Oak Lane CDC
6259 Limeklin Pike
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 224-0880

Landlord/Tenant

Public Housing

What to Do About Delinquent Real Estate Taxes
Real estate (property) taxes are collected annually by the City. If taxes go unpaid, penalties and interest accrue. A lien is put on the property in the value of the unpaid taxes. A lien is like a mortgage--if you sell the property, the back taxes must be paid in full. The City can file a lawsuit to have properties be sold to pay the back taxes, if significant back taxes are owed.

The City is very willing to work with a homeowner to set up a payment plan to keep the person or family in the home. Homeowners owing back taxes should request an "affordable" payment plan. As long as a homeowner is making payments on their back taxes, the City will not move to sell the home.

Taxes run with the property, not with the person. Therefore, if you buy a house and back taxes are owed on the property, you are responsible for payments of the taxes. A buyer should always get a complete title report before purchasing a property to make sure no back taxes or other liens are owed on the property.

For persons living in properties not in their names and where taxes are owed, one must transfer title into their name in order for the City to set up a payment plan. Please contact Community Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, or the SeniorLAW Center if you need help transferring title of your house into your name.

Who has liens on my property?

For properties with back taxes originating prior to 1997, the City within the last several years has sold delinquent Real Estate Taxes to private agencies to collect on the delinquent taxes. The lien purchaser, Wachovia, through its law firm, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, has been filing tax sale foreclosures and selling properties at Sheriff's Sales to collect on their liens. If Linebarger has sent you a letter about pre-1997 taxes, and you have title to your home, you should contact them immediately to make a payment plan. If you have a low-income, ask for an "affordable" payment plan. If Linebarger has sent you a letter and you do not have title to your home, you should contact Community Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, or the SeniorLAW Center.

For properties with delinquent taxes that have accrued post-1997 the City of Philadelphia still is the creditor of these liens. The City has become more aggressive in its collection of back taxes. The City has also contracted with Linebarger to collect all of these delinquent city real estate taxes. If you have back taxes that are for the tax years 1997 and later, and you have a low-income, please contact the agencies below for assistance is setting up payment plans. It will make it easier for the housing counselors to help you if you have the following documents available:

  • A copy of the deed to the client's home
  • Copies of recent utility bills (PGW, PECO, Telephone, Water, etc.)
  • Copies of proof of income (paystubs, Department of Public Welfare letters, Social Security Award letters, child support, etc.)
  • A list of your monthly expenses

[Back to top]

Immigration

[Back to top]

Nonprofit Organizations

Legal Guides for Philadelphia Nonprofits

Recent IRS Updates

Resources for Philadelphia Nonprofits and Community Groups

Starting-up

Staying Exempt

Links for Philadelphia Nonprofits and Community Groups

[Back to top]

Small Business

Legal Guides for Philadelphia Small Businesses

Resources for Philadelphia Small Businesses

Special Education and School Discipline

[Back to top]

Tax

Tort Defense

[Back to top]