(RightIsRight.co) – Exposing how easily hardworking Americans can lose their homes over trivial debts, a Nebraska man’s fight against unfair tax practices has ended in victory.
Specifically, Kevin Fair fought an uphill battle to reclaim his house, which was seized over a mere $588 tax bill.
Fair had lived in his Scottsbluff home for nearly 30 years when he found himself in a nightmarish legal battle.
It all started when Scotts Bluff County sold the lien on his property to a private investor.
This practice, which Nebraska law allowed then, made it possible for predatory investors to profit from struggling homeowners’ misfortunes.
Fair’s situation was clearly unfair. After falling behind on taxes due to medical issues, he and his wife were slapped with $5,268 in taxes, interest and fees, far from the original $588 debt.
Unable to pay this inflated amount, the Fairs lost their home in 2018, a property that had been a wedding gift from Kevin’s mother.
“They stand to make the money, and I won’t have anything after living here for 25 years,” Fair lamented.
Pacific Legal Foundation supported Fair’s legal battle, which revealed that seizing home equity that far exceeded the original debt was unconstitutional.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention forced the Nebraska Supreme Court to reconsider its initial ruling against Fair, ultimately giving homeowners’ rights a victory in August 2023.
Pacific Legal Foundation senior attorney Christina Martin emphasized that home equity “is protected by the Constitution” and the ruling “is protecting him from, in all likelihood, homelessness.”
This case has prompted much-needed change. Nebraska revised its laws in 2023 to prevent homeowners from losing equity over unpaid property taxes.
However, the fight is not over for Fair, who now faces new challenges. He suffered a stroke and lost his wife during this ordeal.
He also requires a ramp to access his home and still faces an outstanding tax bill.
The community has rallied around Fair by setting up a GoFundMe campaign that has raised nearly $10,000 to assist him.
“He’s grateful, and there’s already been a show of support. Every dollar will count. I know he is already so moved by the giving,” Martin noted.
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