Help! State tax lien removal question, mortgage closing soon

[hank1971]

Hi, all. I had a CA state lien on my public record which was filed in June 2002. That's the only negative, and needless to say, affecting my credit score dearly. I was looking for a house recently and getting my pre approval. My mortgage broker gave me the approval but wanted me to take care of the lien, or otherwise the loan cannot be closed.

So I went and paid off the lien, which was much smaller than the amount that was file. $14,000 lien was filed against me but I ended up paying only about $500. (The lien was filed because I forgot to file my 1998 CA Income Tax Return when I lived there. I was even supposed to be entitled to a refund. That was my bonehead.......). Recently I received the letter from the Record of Deed office that the lien has been released. It took me about three months to do this, which doesn't sound too bad.

Now here are my questions:

1. It has been 7 years this month since the lien was filed (06/2009). Can that alone (time lapse) be the basis to ask for the removal of the lien? I have heard different theories about this.

2. If not, because of the amount difference ($14,000 vs. $500), can I write to the credit bureau and claim the file was file erroneously and asking for removal?

3. Do I put myself in a worse situation because I just paid it off? I have heard the lien may fall off the record after some time but may remain 7 years after it was paid off.

I am probably going to close the loan in three months or so and am desperate to get it fixed. Is it even possible given that time frame. Please!!! Any guidance in this situation????

Thanks.