A Home we are buying is under Contract & 9 days from closing & there is a "potential IRS Tax lien" on the property...HELP!

We have a home under contract and we close in 9 days. The seller contacted the real estate company yesterday & told them that she received a letter from the IRS stating that they are going to put a lien on her home if she doesn't pay $200k in taxes due. The seller said that she didn't know anything about this, that it is her ex-husband's (or soon to be ex) tax debt & that it is the accountants & ex's fault. The seller said that her atty advised her not to sell (of course he did, b/c as soon as we close & she gets the $, she will have to pey the IRS...Right??).

Anyway, we said we want the house & for everything to continue as scheduled since as of right now there is no official lien on the home, just a notice from IRS that if she doesn't pay, they will put one on it.

My question is this: The title is going to the atty for a title opinion, so what is the likelyhood that we will be able to close on this house in 9 days with clear title? Am I right in assuming that the house does not have a lien as of right now & if it is clear of the lien until closing, then once we close & it is our house, we should be clear of any "potential lien" of the seller... correct? How long does it take for the IRS to put a lien on the home once notice is sent? - Is this your question? Add additional information