Showing posts with label Legal Foreclosure Prevention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Legal Foreclosure Prevention. Show all posts

Thursday, 15 October 2009

United Law Group Helps Joseph Pieciak to Fight for His Home

Joseph Pieciak’s story reads like that of so many others. When the housing bubble burst he lost 1/3 of his income. He kept his position in research and development for a fastener company but lost the overtime and bonus opportunities, which he’d been using to make his monthly mortgage payments. Fearing foreclosure on his home, this father of four contacted his lender directly. Months of the run-around convinced him that he needed an attorney.

“I started working with United Law Group when I realized that I wasn’t going to get anywhere with my bank,” said Pieciak. “The firm did a great job. They got my lender to respond and even worked out new terms on my loan. Unfortunately, the lender is now telling me that they lost my paperwork and can’t honor the terms. I don’t know if it’s inefficiency or something more insidious, but they cashed my check and lost the paperwork that was sent in the same envelope.”

Initially told he didn’t qualify for a modification because he wasn’t behind in his payments, then because his hardship was too severe, Pieciak and his wife downsized their lifestyle and did what they could to make their payments When his wife lost her job as a waitress four months ago, they went down to one car. The couple has done what it could since then to put food on the table for the family while waiting on the bank to make a decision.

“I went back and forth with the lender on my own at the beginning, but they didn’t make it easy to understand their process,” says Pieciak. “I tried repeatedly to work with the bank then turned to United Law Group.”

“Joseph Pieciak retained United Law Group four months ago,” said Robert Buscho, attorney for United Law Group. “We worked with this family to present a package to Bank of America that met the lender’s documentation requirements. Our one goal was to help the Pieciaks get the terms of their loan changed so the family could keep their home.”

United Law Group is a leading national law firm that litigates cases against banks and lenders to help troubled homeowners. The firm pursues every available legal channel when helping families, like the Pieciaks, who have been victimized by predatory banking practices.

“United Law Group proved itself during this process,” said Pieciak. “They kept us informed about the status of our case and celebrated with us when we thought we’d secured a modification. I can’t say enough about their professionalism and integrity. I just wish I felt the same about my lender. If we lose this house at least we know we did our best.”

United Law Group continues to fight on behalf of the Pieciak family and others like them.

About United Law Group

United Law Group is a national law firm with offices in California, New York, Florida, Ohio, Nevada & Arizona. The firm represents consumers in complex litigation concerning abusive banking practices, breaches of contract and violations of state and federal laws. United Law Group also litigates cases involving bankruptcy, IRS settlements and debt settlements in state and federal courts across the nation. Employing a team of top-notch attorneys, United Law Group leverages leading-edge technology to manage cases, support investigative efforts and ensure accurate, frequent communication with its clients. It puts together class action lawsuits when necessary in order to provide the best legal counsel to individuals who might not be able to resolve their issues without representation.

For further information on United Law Group, visit: www.UnitedLawGroup.com.

KEL Attorneys Files Groundbreaking Lawsuits to Represent California Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

The Law offices of Kaufman, Englett and Lynd LLC, (KEL Attorneys), the nation's expert law firm in foreclosure defense and loan modifications, is now representing California homeowners facing foreclosure. KEL will set cases in motion by filing lawsuits on behalf of homeowners against lenders. Homeowner's legal claims against lenders will be based on TILA Violations, RESPA Violations, Fraud in the Inducement and Predatory Lending Practices.

California is a non-judicial state. In non-judicial states, the lender is not required to pursue cases through the court system before selling a property in a foreclosure sale. KEL Attorneys will move for injunctive relief so the lender is prevented from proceeding with the foreclosure until the homeowners claims are heard by a judge. We will file in state court and federal court if necessary.

KEL Attorneys will be the first law firm to file these lawsuits on a massive scale. These lawsuits could change the way foreclosures are handled in the State of California for the foreseeable future. For more information on these groundbreaking lawsuits please contact Matt Harrison at 407-513-1900 ext. 7159.

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Mesa / Phoenix Law Firm Announces Recent Amendments in Anti-Deficiency Statute are Repealed

Less than two months after signing into law amendments to Arizona's existing anti-deficiency statute, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed legislation repealing those changes.

The statute (A.R.S. § 33-814(G)) provides residential property owners security from personal liability for loans on foreclosed property sold in a trustee sale. As long as the property was less than 2.5 acres of land and used as a single one- or two-family unit, lenders have no legal recourse in Arizona to collect a deficiency amount, which is the difference between the balance of the loan and the amount the property was sold for in foreclosure.

The amendments to this statute (SB 1271), which were to become effective September 30, 2009, would have drastically changed protection for investors, says attorney Charlotte Johnson of Gibson Ferrin & Riggs, PLC.

Under these amendments, only borrowers who have lived on the property for at least six months and been issued a certificate of occupancy would be provided anti-deficiency protection should the property be foreclosed, she explains.

"Unless investors could prove they had occupied the completed residence for at least six consecutive months, the statute, in most cases, would not have protected them from collections," says Johnson.

The new requirements were causing widespread panic among Arizona investment property owners, she says.

"Several investors have contacted me over the last month worried that they were going to be sued because they were falling behind in their mortgage loan payments," she says.

Others were also worried about the impending effects of the legislation.

In July, soon after the bill was signed into law, the Arizona Association of Realtors called upon Governor Brewer to amend her call for a special session of the legislature to discuss state budget issues to also address issues pertaining to the passage of SB 1271.

"SB 1271 dramatically alters well settled Arizona law on the relationship between Arizona residential real estate owners and their lenders. Undoubtedly, those who voted in favor of this legislation could not have known about its far reaching legal and practical impacts," stated the letter that was signed by CEO Tom Farley. He listed that effects of the amended statute could include a dramatic increase in foreclosures, litigation, falling real estate prices and a prolonged recession in the state.

Apparently, lawmakers agreed.

Just one week after Mr. Farley asked the legislature and governor to reconsider, Senator Steve Pierce, R-Prescott, once a sponsor of SB 1271, announced his support for the bill to be revoked.

According to a press release from his office, Sen. Pierce indicated that the bill was "intended to protect community banks," but "has some serious flaws." The sparsely-worded legislation left a great deal of confusion and uncertainty, he said.

Lawmakers acted to repeal the legislation and to fix the problem they had created.

"With SB 1271 repealed, the anti-deficiency safe harbor is back in place," says Johnson. "Arizona residential property investors can rest easy, for now."

However, Sen. Pierce indicated that he, the governor and other interested parties still intend to collaborate on a better solution for the problem.

Call attorney Charlotte Johnson at 480-633-8100 with any questions concerning Arizona's anti-deficiency law or to schedule a confidential and comprehensive consultation. For more information, see Arizona HB 2008, 49th Legislature, Third Special Session (2009), or Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-814(G).

The attorneys at Gibson Ferrin & Riggs, PLC concentrate their practice on serving individuals, families and small business owners with business-related issues, family law and estate planning. They can help identify and assess the interests that matter most to their clients and work to preserve, protect and promote them. Visit their website at www.gfrlegal.com and their blog at www.biziboom.com. The firm's expertise in commercial litigation and business, family and estate law is recognized throughout the Phoenix / Mesa area.

Tuesday, 29 September 2009

Feldman Law Center Supports Attorney General's Efforts on Behalf of Homeowners

The Feldman Law Center, one of California's premier loan modification law firms, has announced its support of California State Attorney General Jerry Brown's intentions to defend homeowners from underhanded loan modification companies.

California loan modification attorney Steve Feldman, who heads the The Feldman Law Center, said "Efforts to protect homeowners from shady and even illegal loan modification companies are important. While we may haggle over the details, our California loan modification attorney team is as dedicated as the California Attorney General in protecting the public."

Mr. Feldman went on to say, "The Feldman Law Center's loan modification team has actually gone out of its way to help people who were previously taken advantage of by unethical loan modification companies. We feel a sense of responsibility to help these homeowners who have been taken advantage of and have no place else to turn."

The Feldman Law Center holds itself to the highest ethical standards, striving to provide homeowners with effective solutions to their foreclosure problems. Our attorneys are dedicated to assisting distressed homeowners who have been taken advantage of by banks, mortgage servicers or by other loan modification companies.

Loan modification companies can take advantage of homeowners in a many different ways:


  • They can be thieves who take money up front for work that never gets done.
  • They can guarantee results that are never realized.
  • They may be truly limited in what services they are able to provide under state and federal law.


Top-Notch Loan Modification Attorney Team

The Feldman Law Center has been assisting homeowners stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure proceedings throughout this entire crisis. The California State Attorney General's focus on the loan modification industry has been welcomed by the Feldman Law Center and other legitimate loan modification companies.

Wednesday, 23 September 2009

United Law Group Recruits Veterans to Help Distressed Homeowners

United Law Group, the leading provider of legal foreclosure prevention and foreclosure litigation services today announced its participation in the Camp Pendleton Fall Career Fair. The event will be held this Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the South Mesa Club, Building 202850.

The semi annual Camp Pendleton Career Fair hosts over 100 employers. The event offers major companies within high-growth, high-demand industries the opportunity to connect with veteran military personnel who are actively seeking positions. United Law Group hopes this event will support its efforts to hire additional employees to help distressed homeowners from its Irvine, CA offices.

“United Law Group is actively recruiting personnel to help its clients deal with fallout from the mortgage crisis,” said Vito Torchia, attorney for United Law Group. “The U.S. Congress recently managing subcommittee held a hearing on September 9, 2009 to evaluate the effectiveness of the Making Home Affordable (MHA) program. There is more pressure than ever on banks to prove they are working with homeowners. United Law Group needs additional staff to support troubled homeowners.”

Bloomberg recently ran a story on the outcomes of a recent report, which notes alleged issues with the biggest banks, including Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Increased scrutiny increases the pressure on banks to help homeowners seeking to prevent foreclosure via to loan modification. United Law Group works directly with lenders and servicers to prevent foreclosure on its clients.

Every April and September the Transition and Employment department hosts the MCCS Career Fairs. The event brings in local, state and national employers. Spouses new to the area and transitioning service-members seeking employment are expected to be on hand.

For additional information call Camp Pendleton Career Resource Center (760) 725-4737 or (760) 725-4199.

About United Law Group


United Law Group is a national law firm with offices in California, New York, Florida, Ohio, Nevada & Arizona. It is the largest foreclosure prevention and litigation firm in the country with attorneys licensed in every state. Dedicated to helping homeowners facing hardships to keep their houses, United Law Group uses legal channels to compel banks to modify adjustable-rate to fixed-rate mortgages, reduce principal and interest, and create other fair solutions between the lender and borrower.

Thursday, 17 September 2009

United Law Group Joins More Than 30 Top Law Firms In Crisis Commission on Homeowner Representation

United Law Group, the leading provider of legal foreclosure prevention and foreclosure litigation services today announced that it joined forces with over 30 top law firms becoming part of the Crisis Commission on Homeowner Representation. The commission's first objective is to seek the modification of language in SB 94 that would impede the rights of distressed homeowners by making it impossible for attorneys to provide counsel in these situations.

SB 94 raised concern in the legal community because, as it reads currently, the bill would prohibit lawyers from accepting a retainer up front for services. Members of the commission assert that this bill would negatively impact the constitutional rights of distressed homeowners to seek representation by preventing attorneys from offering services related to home loan modification and foreclosure prevention.

"Essentially, it is a bill that will block a homeowner from obtaining legal representation when they are at risk of losing their home to foreclosure," said Martin Andelman.

According to Robert Scurrah of CDA Law Center, "SB94 is fundamentally defective. The concept of protecting a consumer will be totally eroded by the elimination of representation by licensed attorneys."

The commission asserts that fees currently charged by attorneys are very modest when compared with the amount of time and effort involved, the expertise required and the costs incurred by attorneys to support any loan modification. Consumers engaging a lawyer for any other project in Orange County could pay $300 or more per hour. Real estate law firms enable consumers to engage the services of a lawyer for somewhere between $1,500 and $3,000.

"In a contingency case it's worth the risk, because there's a fee waiting for you at the other side," said Zshonette Reed of Lorden & Reed. "But attorneys cannot afford the overhead commitment for a $2,000-$3,000 fee."

Robert Buscho of United Law Group adds, "The consequence of this bill is that homeowners are not able to get representation because the attorneys cannot afford to become unsecured creditors to people who are already struggling financially."

Proponents support SB 94 because of concern for the unknown number of loan modification scams that exist throughout the state and the number of complaints that have been received by the State Bar.

Buscho asserts that SB 94 would punish distressed homeowners, not the scam artists.

"Enforcing current laws will take care of the scammers," said Buscho. "SB 94 would punish distressed homeowners. There is no reason to pass a law that will deprive homeowners of legal representation at a time when they need it most."

About United Law Group

United Law Group is a national law firm with offices in California, New York, Florida, Ohio, Nevada & Arizona. It is the largest foreclosure prevention and litigation firm in the country with attorneys licensed in every state. Dedicated to helping homeowners facing hardships to keep their houses, United Law Group uses legal channels to compel banks to modify adjustable-rate to fixed-rate mortgages, reduce principal and interest, and create other fair solutions between the lender and borrower.

For further information on United Law Group, visit: http://www.unitedlawgroup.com or call Corvi Urling, Executive Consultant for United Law Group at (800) 680-5717.

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Seasoned Litigators Vito Torchia and Jerold Gardner Join United Law Group

United Law Group, the leading provider of legal foreclosure prevention and foreclosure litigation services, welcomed veteran attorneys Vito Torchia and Jerold Gardner to the firm. These dynamic attorneys will support the foreclosure prevention efforts.

United Law Group takes a strong position against predatory lending and banking practices. Their proactive team of attorneys and paralegals work aggressively to find a solution to their clients’ real estate debt issues.

“Torchia and Gardner bring experience and knowledge in the practice and application of real estate law,” said Robert Buscho, Senior Litigation Attorney for United Law Group. “Their strengths complement the core competencies of our team and will empower us to continue to help the large number of Americans who are in need of legal representation at this challenging time.”

Torchia graduated from the Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California. He is admitted to practice law in California, New York, Florida and United States District Court, Central District of California. He also holds a degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Miami, Florida. In addition to his professional experience as a real estate attorney, he has also co-authored and edited publications in Law and Business of the Entertainment Industries.

Vito Torchia has a extensive experience as a real estate attorney,” said Buscho. “He is well-versed on the key tenets of foreclosure prevention and knows how to work with banks and servicers to further the objectives of our clients.”

Gardner is a member of the Texas, Georgia, Colorado, and Washington State Bars and has been practicing law since 1985. His practice focuses on advising businesses on the successful mitigation of risk and the transactional, litigation and contractual issues for a diverse set of business issues. He has civil litigation and dispute resolution experience in State and Federal Courts, representing plaintiffs and defendants in jury and non-jury hearings and trials.

Jerold Gardner’s expertise supports our focus on litigating, not negotiating with unreasonable lenders,” said Rutledge. “His experience will prove invaluable in assisting our clients.”

About United Law Group

United Law Group is a national law firm with offices in California, New York, Florida, Ohio, Nevada & Arizona. It is the largest foreclosure prevention and litigation firm in the country with attorneys licensed in every state. Dedicated to helping homeowners facing hardships to keep their houses, United Law Group uses legal channels to compel banks to modify adjustable-rate to fixed-rate mortgages, reduce principal and interest, and create other fair solutions between the lender and borrower.

For further information visit United Law Group.