Statute of limitations question

I recently found out that my credit report has a state tax lien (another state) that was filed in 1996. I’m pretty sure I paid that off in 1999, but my personal records don’t go back that far. I’d like to clear this up and clean up my credit report.

It’s proving hard to obtain a release of lien thru conventional means, but I wonder if the statute of limitations would make this noncollectable? Do the statute of limitations apply to government-imposed liens, or just private credit?

The revolving credit limitation is 4 years for one state and 6 years for the other one in this transaction, so we’re way past the deadline for both.

So far, my attorney hasn’t been much help. Any advice or suggestions?

This should be bread and butter for a decent lawyer.

Fire the one you have and get another.

Good advice, but the money cost might intrude. We may have to compromise here.

As many new lawyers as the law schools crank out every year I would think
some not yet hired rookie could get you a researched answer cheap, although
I confess I have no idea how to find one such rookie.

You still need to fire the lawyer you got for not being there for what you need
at the presposterous fee schedule he has undoubtedly been suckering you into
all these months, years, decades, or whatever.

Federal tax liens expire after 10 years. Not sure which state you are referring to, but I doubt it’s longer. You could get a simple answer by calling the department of taxation in the relevant state.

I’d be worried about a lawyer who couldn’t get this sorted out in less than an hour,

The state is California.

Contacting many large government offices and speaking to a person is easier said than done. Many phone numbers lead only to automated attendants. I was able to reach a live person today, but the question about limitations was met with “I can’t answer legal questions.”

California can collect up to 20 years. See Section 19255 of the California Tax Code.