94-year-old’s Supreme Court case could change property rights nationwide
Apr 26, 2023
By Ray Bogan (Political Correspondent )
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court concerned county took too much from woman who owed taxes
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Mpls. woman got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She Got $0 When the County Sold Her Condo. Supreme Court Weighs In
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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The Supreme Court seems sympathetic to a 94-year-old woman whose condo was seized over a $2,300 tax bill and sold for $40,000
Click to see story on Fortune
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court Grills Minn. County That Kept Profits From Forfeiture Sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court weighs fairness after woman got $0 from condo sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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She got nothing from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme+Court+seems+to+favor+Minneapolis+woman+who+got+%240+in+condo+sale
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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Supreme Court to weigh fairness of condo sale that got owner $0
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness – The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
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Center
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Last Updated
1 year ago
94-year-old Geraldine Tyler lived alone in a condo and then rented an apartment in a senior community. Now she’s before the Supreme Court and her case could change property law around the country.
The justices heard oral arguments Wednesday, April 26, about Ms. Tyler’s home that was foreclosed on in Minnesota. But there are thousands of cases just like hers around the country.
Back story
Ms. Tyler stopped paying taxes when she moved out of her condo in 2010. That eventually added up to $15,000 in taxes, fees and other costs. The county seized her property, sold it for $40,000 and kept what she owed, plus the additional $25,000 as a windfall. Although the county argues there was nothing left when they add in all of their expenses, including paying leftover HOA fees and the cost of getting the condo ready for sale.
“This court in Texaco made clear that when a property right is extinguished, due to an owner’s failure to comply with reasonable conditions on ownership, there is no taking that requires compensation,” Neal Kumar Katyal, the lawyer representing Hennepin County, said during his opening statement.
It’s legal in Minnesota and a dozen other states for the local government to take absolute title of properties and keep all of the owner’s equity in exchange for canceling the debt. But Ms. Tyler doesn’t think it’s right.
“Certainly the government can tack on penalties interest in fees and they can forcibly sell it and take their cut. But when you just attempt to take everything leftover after that, that’s taking,” Christina M. Martin, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation told the justices.
The legal questions
Lower courts have ruled against Ms. Tyler. Now the justices will answer two questions:
- Whether taking and selling a home to satisfy a debt to the government, and keeping the surplus value as a windfall, violates the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment, which requires just compensation be given to property owners.
- Whether the forfeiture of property worth far more than needed to satisfy a debt plus, interest, penalties, and costs, is a fine within the meaning of the Eighth Amendment – which prohibits excessive fines.
Questions from the justices
Multiple Justices asked when a property could be considered abandoned, given Ms. Tyler hadn’t paid taxes on the condo for five years and was not living there.
“But if some state wanted to just say you know we have a rule, you don’t pay taxes for five years, you’re not living there, we’re going to consider the place abandoned,” Justice Elena Kagan asked lawyers for Ms. Tyler.
“I think that would still be problematic, Your Honor, because there’s a lot of reasons why people don’t pay their property taxes and a lot of reasons why people move out. We’ve seen examples of people who are moved into nursing homes and have all sorts of unfortunate circumstances,” Martin responded.
Home equity theft
Ms. Tyler, and others in her situation, are being represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF). According to the organization’s data, 11 states foreclosed and sold 8,950 properties from 2014 to 2021. Available data for 6,200 of those homes showed that when the governments sold them, they collectively received $860 million more than the taxes that were owed. PLF describes it as home equity theft. It’s an issue that has united many organizations, including PLF and AARP.
The justices will release their decision in the case by June.
94-year-old Geraldine Tyler lived alone in a condo and then rented an apartment in a senior community. Now she’s before the Supreme Court and her case could change property law around the country.
When Ms. Tyler moved out of her condo, she stopped paying taxes. That eventually added up to $15,000 in taxes, fees, and other costs. The county seized her property, sold it for $40,000, and kept what she owed, plus the additional $25,000 as a windfall. Although the county argues when you add in all of their expenses, including paying left over HOA fees and the cost of getting the condo ready for sale, there was nothing left.
Neal Kumar Katyal, Hennepin County, Lawyer representing Hennepin County tc: 51:24
This court in Texaco made clear that when a property right is extinguished, due to an owner’s failure to comply with reasonable conditions on ownership, there is no taking that requires compensation.
It’s legal in Minnesota and a dozen other states for the local government to take absolute title of properties and keep all of the owner’s equity in exchange for canceling the debt. But Ms. Tyler doesn’t think it’s right.
Christina M. Martin, Pacific Legal Foundation Tc 23:10
certainly the government can tack on penalties interest in fees and they can forcibly sell it and take their cut. But when you just attempt to take everything leftover after that, that’s taking
Lower courts have ruled against Ms. Tyler. Now the justices will answer two questions:
- Whether taking and selling a home to satisfy a debt to the government, and keeping the surplus value as a windfall, violates the Takings Clause of the fifth amendment which requires just compensation be given to property owners.
- Whether the forfeiture of property worth far more than needed to satisfy a debt plus, interest, penalties, and costs, is a fine within the meaning of the Eighth Amendment – which prohibits excessive fines.
Ms. Tyler, and others in her situation, are being represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation. According to the organization’s data, 11 states foreclosed and sold 8,950 properties from 2014 to 2021. Available data for 6,200 of those homes showed that when the governments sold them, they collectively received $860 million more than the taxes that were owed. PLF describes it as home equity theft. It’s an issue that has united many organizations, including PLF and AARP.
We won’t have to wait too long to get the decision, the Justices will release it by June. Straight from DC, I’m Ray Bogan.
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Media Landscape
This story is a Media Miss by the right as only 10% of the coverage is from right leaning media.
Learn more about this dataLeft 29%
Center 60%
Right 10%
Bias Distribution
Far
Left
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Left
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Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Associated Press News
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on abc News
Supreme Court concerned county took too much from woman who owed taxes
Click to see story on The Washington Post
Mpls. woman got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Star Tribune
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Alaska Highway News
She Got $0 When the County Sold Her Condo. Supreme Court Weighs In
Click to see story on NBC Boston
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on WISH-TV
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Lakeland Today
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Burnaby Now
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Delta Optimist
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Coast Reporter
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on The Delaware County Daily Times
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Southernminn.com
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Dawson Creek Mirror
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on KRDO
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Winnipeg Free Press
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Pioneer Press
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on News 4 JAX
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on WKMG
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
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She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on WPLG
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Portland Press Herald
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on San Diego Union Tribune
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on KSAT 12
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Washington Top News
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on The Billings Gazette
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Missoulian
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Helena Independent Record
The Supreme Court seems sympathetic to a 94-year-old woman whose condo was seized over a $2,300 tax bill and sold for $40,000
Click to see story on Fortune
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on NY1
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on WCBD
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Syracuse NY
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on The Sun (Lowell)
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on The Columbian
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on KOB 4
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Winston-Salem Journal
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Daily Freeman
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on KWKT – FOX 44
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Rapid City Journal Media Group
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on McDowellNews.com
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Sentinel-Tribune
Supreme Court Grills Minn. County That Kept Profits From Forfeiture Sale
Click to see story on Law.com
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on The Saratogian
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on The Reporter
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on The Pottstown Mercury
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Daily Local News
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Sentinel and Enterprise
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on The Times Herald
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on The Norfolk Daily News
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Supreme Court weighs fairness after woman got $0 from condo sale
Click to see story on Washington Times
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on National Post
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on MY Northwest
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on Boston Herald
She got nothing from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on KSL
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Far
Right
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Untracked Bias
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Richmond News
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on North Shore News
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on AlbertaPrimeTimes.com
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Tri-City News
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Pique
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Squamish Chief
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on New West Record
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on St. Albert Gazette
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Rocky Mountain Outlook
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Temple Daily Telegram
Supreme+Court+seems+to+favor+Minneapolis+woman+who+got+%240+in+condo+sale
Click to see story on Finance & Commerce
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on Powell River Peak
Supreme Court to weigh fairness of condo sale that got owner $0
Click to see story on Maryland Daily Record
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on westernwheel.ca
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness
Click to see story on cochraneeagle.ca
She got $0 from condo sale. Supreme Court weighs fairness – The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle
Click to see story on hsjchronicle.com
Supreme Court seems to favor woman who got $0 in condo sale
Click to see story on tnledger.com
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75 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
75
Leaning Left
17
Center
35
Leaning Right
6
Last Updated
1 year ago
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