Township of West Whiteland, PA Attorney Fee

[Amended 3-27-2013 by Ord. No. 404; 10-13-2021 by Ord. No. 465]

Fees to be added to the unpaid claims. The Township hereby approves the following fee schedule for the collection of the unpaid claims, which fees shall be added to the unpaid claims:

(1)

Legal fees:

(a)

Initial review and sending first legal demand letter: $175.

(b)

File lien and prepare satisfaction: $250.

(c)

Prepare writ of scire facias: $250.

(d)

Prepare and mail letter under Pa.R.C.P. 237.1: $50.

(e)

Prepare default judgment: $175.

(f)

Research, prepare and obtain reissued writ: $175.

(g)

Prepare praecipe to amend: $100.

(h)

Prepare motion to amend: $150.

(i)

Present motion to amend: $50.

(j)

Obtain vehicle identification number (VIN) for mobile home: $100.

(k)

Prepare motion for alternate service: $250.

(l)

Present motion for alternate service: $50.

(m)

Prepare motion to consolidate claims: $250.

(n)

Present motion to consolidate claims: $50.

(o)

Prepare motion to add United States as defendant: $175.

(p)

Present motion to add United States as defendant: $50.

(q)

Prepare writ of execution: $800.

(r)

Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve distribution issues: $400.

(s)

Prepare motion to continue sheriff sale: $50.

(t)

Present motion to continue sheriff sale: $50.

(u)

Prepare petition for free and clear sale: $400.

(v)

Present petition for free and clear sale: $50.

(w)

Services not covered above: at an hourly rate between $75 and $275 per hour.

(2)

Collection fees:

(a)

Notice of delinquent claim and fee shifting: $40 per notice, plus applicable postage.

(b)

Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of three months or less: $25.

(c)

Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of more than three months: $50.

(d)

Handling fee for returned check: $25.

(e)

Validation notice: $25 per notice.

[Added 9-14-2022 by Ord. No. 471]

Costs to be added to the unpaid claims. The amount of out-of-pocket charges, costs, expenses, commissions and fees incurred in connection with the filing, preservation and collection of unpaid claims, including, but not limited to, prothonotary fees and charges, sheriff fees and charges, postage expenses, title search expenses, vehicle identification number (VIN) search expenses, skip tracing and/or other investigatory service expenses, and the costs, fees, charges and/or expenses arising out of any payment by any credit card, debit card or any other payment medium, are hereby approved and shall be included, upon incurrence, together with the applicable unpaid claim.

[Amended 9-14-2022 by Ord. No. 471]

Interest. Interest will be assessed upon the unpaid claims at a rate of 10% per annum and added to the unpaid claims. The Township is permitted to waive any interest on any unpaid claim when the Township or any attorney and/or third-party collector collecting the unpaid claim believes, in its discretion, that such amount is de minimis or that the cost or burden of continuing collection outweighs the benefit of collecting the interest.

[Amended 9-14-2022 by Ord. No. 471]

Credit card and debit card charges. The Township authorizes any attorney or private collector collecting the unpaid claims to accept payment of the unpaid claims by credit card or debit card. When payment is made by credit card or debit card, any fees charged by the credit card company, debit card company, credit card servicing agent, or debit card servicing agent shall be charged immediately to the credit card or debit card used to make payment. This applies to credit card or debit card payments made by mail, telephone, over the internet, or in person.