Method and system for the automation of abatement of fine recovery

Abstract

Municipalities, local authorities and agencies fine property owners for property infractions each year. When these property fines are not collected, they are turned into a lien assessed against the property, which is superior to other liens, title, and claims until paid. These liens are assessed for violations and accumulated on the real estate title. In many cases these liens are never collected, resulting in the loss of revenue to municipalities, local authorities and agencies. The described methodology is a process to improve on the collectability of these liens. Information is analyzed and categorized according to probability of collection. Once the system determines the value of the special assessment lien, upfront funding can be offered to the municipalities, local authorities and agencies. The system manages the debtor information and communications in order for the municipalities, local authorities and agencies to track collection efforts that contribute to the recovery of lost revenues.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 obtaining abatement lien information for a lien on a property via a computer network, wherein abatement lien information comprises property information for the property including information on property encumbrances associated with the property;   determining via a computer processor a value of the lien based on lien collectability, wherein the value of the lien is based at least in part on a determination of a priority of the lien, and wherein the value of the lien is further based at least in part on a comparison of the lien to other municipality and agency abatement liens for other properties; and   receiving via the computer network information regarding a collection process for the lien.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collection process includes making automatic communications to a debtor, tracking collection efforts, and collecting payments for the lien. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining via the computer processor a purchase value for the lien. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the purchase value is based on a collectability factor and a profit margin for the buyer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the value of the lien comprises calculating value based on debtor credit worthiness, debtor assets, and property value. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein calculating value further comprises determining ranking scores, funding amounts, statistical analysis, lien dates, and property ages. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the value of the lien includes determining a maximum allowable interest charge. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the value of the lien is based at least in part on a probability that the lien will be collected. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the priority of the lien compared to the other property encumbrances of the property is based at least in part on a comparison of a priority of collection of the lien to a priority of collection of the other property encumbrances of the property. 
     
     
         10 . A lien collection system configured to rank a value of liens to determine the enforcement and collectability by prioritizing municipalities, local authorities and agencies abatement liens, the system comprising:
 a memory device configured to store abatement lien information for a lien on a property, wherein abatement lien information comprises property information for the property including information on other property encumbrances associated with the property; and   a processor operatively coupled to the memory device and configured to obtain abatement lien information and determine a value of the lien based on lien collectability, wherein the value of the lien is based at least in part on a determination of a priority of the lien.   
     
     
         11 . The lien collection system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to engage a collection process for the lien, wherein the collection process includes making automatic communications to a debtor, tracking collection efforts, and collecting payments for the lien. 
     
     
         12 . The lien collection system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine via the processor a purchase value for the lien, wherein the purchase value includes a price at which a buyer purchases the lien. 
     
     
         13 . The lien collection system of  claim 12 , wherein the purchase value is based on a collectability factor and a profit margin for the buyer. 
     
     
         14 . The lien collection system of  claim 10 , wherein determining the value of the lien comprises calculating value based on debtor credit worthiness, debtor assets, and property value. 
     
     
         15 . The lien collection system of  claim 14 , wherein calculating value further comprises determining ranking scores, funding amounts, statistical analysis, lien dates, and property ages. 
     
     
         16 . The lien collection system of  claim 10 , wherein obtaining abatement lien information comprises searching public record databases for abatement lien information. 
     
     
         17 . The lien collection system of  claim 10 , wherein determining the value of the lien includes determining a maximum allowable interest charge. 
     
     
         18 . The lien collection system of  claim 10 , wherein determining the value of the lien is based at least in part on a probability that the lien will be collected. 
     
     
         19 . The lien collection system of  claim 10 , wherein the priority of the lien compared to the other property encumbrances of the property is based at least in part on a comparison of a priority of collection of the lien to a priority of collection of the other property encumbrances of the property. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions comprising:
 instructions to obtain abatement lien information for a lien on a property via a computer network, wherein abatement lien information comprises property information for the property including information on other property encumbrances associated with the property;   instructions to determine via a computer processor a value of the lien based on lien collectability, wherein the value of the lien is based at least in part on a determination of a priority of the lien, and wherein the value of the lien is further based at least in part on a comparison of the lien to other municipality and agency abatement liens for other properties.