§ 140.570 RSMo — Lien in full force in certain cases when conveyance is invalid

1. If any conveyance made by the county collector, pursuant to a sale made for the nonpayment of taxes, under this or any former tax law, shall prove to be invalid and ineffectual to convey title for any other cause than such as are enumerated in section 140.610 the lien which the state had on such land for state, county, township, school and all lawful purposes, together with all lawful charges, shall remain in full force, and shall be transferred by such deed to the grantee and vested in him, his heirs and assigns, who shall be entitled to a lien upon such lands, and the same shall be bound for the final payment thereof; and in case judgment be rendered against the person holding the title from the collector, as aforesaid, for the recovery of such land, in an action of ejectment or other action, either at law or in equity, brought by the owners of such lands, heirs or assigns, the court shall ascertain the amount due to the party holding such tax deed and from whom due for principal and interest and for all improvements made by him on such lands including subsequent taxes paid with interest, and shall decree the payment thereof within such reasonable time by the owner of such land; if there be an owner of any life estate or any other person first liable for the payment of such taxes, such ownership and liability shall be ascertained by the court and entered of record in such cause, and in default of such payment the court shall decree that such life estate, the interest of such debtor in such lands and the fee simple thereof, shall be sold therefor or sufficient thereof to pay the amount of such improvements, principal and interest as above set forth, due to the party having the collector's deed, his heirs and assigns.

2. Such property shall be offered and such sales shall be made in the order, and in the manner and form as provided in section 140.330 ; provided, that there shall be no right of redemption of such property or of any such interest therein, after the date of sale, and the sheriff shall, upon receipt of the purchase money, execute to the purchaser a deed in fee simple or a lease for the unexpired term of the part or interest so sold, as the case may be, and the purchaser shall have the right of immediate possession of such land or lot and the improvements thereon. At such sale if such land or any part or parcel thereof or any interest therein be sold for a sum in excess of the lien and cost, then such surplus shall be paid over to the person or persons lawfully entitled thereto as such rights are determined by the court in its decree in said cause.