City of Prichard; Mobile County, expedited quiet title process established

Faster Prichard foreclosures with owner safeguards

Beginning June 1, 2026, Prichard can use a faster court process to gain full ownership of qualifying abandoned tax-sale property. This applies only to parcels within Prichard that the city bought from the State Land Commissioner. Owners, heirs, lenders, buyers, and other interest holders can lose their rights in these properties. The city can include multiple parcels in one court petition. It must first record a notice warning that property rights may end. It must make a good-faith effort to find interested parties. Steps supporting adequate effort include a sign at least 4 feet by 6 feet, posted for at least 30 days. They also include searches of property, tax, voter, death, estate, and business records. Tax-payment checks cover the prior five years; searches need not go back more than 20 years. At least 30 days before the hearing, the city must send certified and regular mail notices and post required property notices. When names or addresses cannot be found or reached by mail, court-approved newspaper notices run for three consecutive weeks. Newly found parties must receive adequate notice. The city must file proof of notice. Written objections are due at least 14 days before the hearing. The hearing must occur within 90 days after the scheduling order, unless extended for good cause. Interested parties may redeem by paying amounts required under Alabama tax-sale redemption law. Without redemption, the court must enter judgment within 10 days after the hearing. The judgment gives the city clear title and ends prior ownership interests and liens, including unpaid taxes and special assessments. Utility easements and rights-of-way, private deed restrictions, recorded plat restrictions, and specified redevelopment or environmental restrictions survive. Appeals go to the Court of Civil Appeals within 42 days after the judgment takes effect. Anyone appealing other than the city must post a bond equal to the redemption amount, with at least one solvent surety. An appeal pauses the order only for the challenged parcels. Reversal requires a property-identification or notice defect that denied due process; technical errors alone are insufficient. The city must record the final order after the appeal deadline or final appeal decision.