Foreclosures and Loan Modifications Up

On January 5, 2012, in Foreclosure, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

Foreclosures are Increasing

Foreclosures are increasing.

According to several recent news articles and reports,  it appears that foreclosure actions are once again on the rise. Fortunately, we have noticed much of an increase in foreclosure actions being brought.  At any rate, this is still troubling news.

Loan Modifications are up.

At least in our office, we have seen an increase in Loan Modifications. Many of our clients have recently received loan modification offers. Many of the offers are for a HAMP trial modification. However, we have received some permanent in-house modification offers.

Each case varies:

  • Some cases involved lengthy litigation (years).
  • Some cases were resolved in a matter of months.
  • Several of our clients had already filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy
  • Most, if not all, of our clients were previously turned down for a loan modification.

Note: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

The Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC routinely represents homeowners facing foreclosure. We examine each homeowner’s specific situation to determine their best course of action. We proudly assist residents of Long Island (Nassau county, Suffolk county) and New York City (Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan) with their foreclosure matters.

Call (516) 858-2620 to arrange a FREE  consultation with a foreclosure attorney!

 

Facing foreclosure, should I consider bankruptcy?

On January 14, 2011, in Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

Yes.

Why?

Because the longer you wait to file bankruptcy, the more difficult it may be to save your home.

But the bank might modify my mortgage.

Sure, but what if the bank doesn’t modify your mortgage. While you wait for a potential loan modification – your mortgage arrears and the interest are piling up. This could potentially prevent you from putting forth a confirmable chapter 13 plan.

NY bankruptcy law just got better.

On 1/21/11 new bankruptcy exemptions go into effect (see our earlier posts Changes to NY Bankruptcy Exemptions and Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions & NY).

You should at least consult with a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney to find out how filing bankruptcy can save your home (see our earlier posts Filing Bankruptcy to Save Your Home From Foreclosure and How Can I Use My Ch.7 Bankruptcy to Avoid Foreclosure).

We understand that bankruptcy is not for everyone. That is why we also offer foreclosure defense, debt negotiation, etc. We are simply stating that bankruptcy is an option that should be considered. At The Law Firm of Vaughn & Weber, PLLC, we don’t push our clients to file bankruptcy. We give you all of your options and assist you in deciding which course of action is best for you.

This is not legal advice!

The Law Firm of Vaughn & Weber, PLLC routinely represents homeowners facing foreclosure. We examine each homeowner’s specific situation to determine their best course of action.

We proudly assist residents of Long Island (Nassau county, Suffolk county) and New York City (Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan) with their bankruptcy and foreclosure matters. We are conveniently located in the heart of Nassau County, Long Island, at 393 Jericho Tpke., Ste. 208, Mineola, NY 11501.

Call (516) 858-2620 to arrange a FREE  consultation with a bankruptcy and foreclosure attorney!

 

Please visit our Foreclosure category to learn more about foreclosure issues.

Please visit our Bankruptcy category to learn more about filing for bankruptcy.

The following Press Release is from the NYS Unified Court System:

New York Courts First in Country to Institute Filing Requirement to Preserve Integrity of Foreclosure Process

NEW YORK – The New York State court system has instituted a new filing requirement in residential foreclosure cases to protect the integrity of the foreclosure process and prevent wrongful foreclosures. Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman today announced that plaintiff’s counsel in foreclosure actions will be required to file an affirmation certifying that counsel has taken reasonable steps – including inquiry to banks and lenders and careful review of the papers filed in the case – to verify the accuracy of documents filed in support of residential foreclosures. The new filing requirement was introduced by the Chief Judge in response to recent disclosures by major mortgage lenders of significant insufficiencies – including widespread deficiencies in notarization and “robosigning” of supporting documents – in residential foreclosure filings in courts nationwide. The new requirement is effective immediately and was created with the approval of the Presiding Justices of all four Judicial Departments.

Chief Judge Lippman said, “We cannot allow the courts in New York State to stand by idly and be party to what we now know is a deeply flawed process, especially when that process involves basic human needs – such as a family home – during this period of economic crisis. This new filing requirement will play a vital role in ensuring that the documents judges rely on will be thoroughly examined, accurate, and error-free before any judge is asked to take the drastic step of foreclosure.”

Under the new requirement, plaintiff’s counsel in foreclosure matters must submit the affirmation at one of several stages. In new cases, the affirmation must accompany the Request for Judicial Intervention. In pending cases, the affirmation must be submitted with either the proposed order of reference or the proposed judgment of foreclosure. In cases where a foreclosure judgment has been entered but the property has not yet been sold at auction, the affirmation must be submitted to the court referee, and a copy filed with the court, five business days before the scheduled auction. Counsel is also obligated to file an amended version of the affidavit if new facts emerge after the initial filing.

View the affirmation form.

As always, The Foreclosure Defense Law Firm of VAUGHN & WEBER, PLLC is here to assist you. We are conveniently located in the heart of Nassau County, Long Island, at 217 Willis Avenue in Mineola, NY 11501. Contact us at (516) 858-2620 to arrange a consultation with a foreclosure defense lawyer.

Please visit our Foreclosure category to learn more about foreclosure issues.

Q & A: How Can I Use My Ch. 7 Bankruptcy to Avoid Foreclosure?

On September 3, 2010, in Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

Bank won’t modify my mortgage, how can I use the chapter 7 bankruptcy I just filed to avoid foreclosure?

The following are “some” of the things you can do to avoid foreclosure if you just filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy:

“Maybe” filing a “chapter 20” bankruptcy, which is a chapter 7 followed by a chapter 13, will help you.

  • make sure the ch. 7 discharge is granted;
  • some time after discharge is granted in the 7, but before the sale date of course, file a ch. 13 to force the lender to accept the current payment + the arrears spread over 36 or 60 months.
  • Note: There likely won’t be a discharge at the end of the Chapter 13. This really shouldn’t matter because you just received a chapter 7 discharge.
  • Note: You should consider “stripping off” any judgment and/or wholly unsecured liens.
  • Note: If this is investment property you can try to cram it down in a ch.13.  However, the cramdown value has to be paid off by completion of the ch. 13 plan.

If none of the above will work, you could:

  • After discharge, continue trying to obtain a loan modification from your lender (the foreclosure action will likely continue unopposed).
  • Contest the foreclosure action in state court after the stay is lifted or terminates.

This is not legal advice!

The Law Firm of Vaughn & Weber, PLLC routinely represents homeowners facing foreclosure who have already filed or need to file for bankruptcy. We examine each homeowner’s specific situation to determine their best course of action.

We proudly assist residents of Long Island (Nassau county, Suffolk county) and New York City (Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan) with their bankruptcy and foreclosure matters.

Call (516) 858-2620 to arrange a FREE  consultation with a bankruptcy and foreclosure attorney!

 

Please visit our Foreclosure category to learn more about foreclosure issues.

Please visit our Bankruptcy category to learn more about filing for bankruptcy.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. This website is Attorney Advertising. It does not form an attorney-client relationship. We are a debt relief agency and a law firm that helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code – Title 11. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Proudly assisting residents of Long Island, Nassau county, Suffolk county, New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan