1. ✗ Don’t wait until the 11th hour to hire an attorney
Do not wait until your case is almost over to hire an attorney. The stress of dealing with the issue will decrease by volumes if you address the problem at the beginning of the process and have an experienced attorney to help guide you through the end. Most importantly, the options available to you increase exponentially if you address the problem from the beginning. The longer you wait, the fewer options you will have available to you. Contact one of the experienced attorneys at Mario, Gunde, Peters, Rhoden & Kelley- Attorneys and Counselors at Law at the first sign of trouble to help you increase your options and assist you in making the right choice.
2. ✓ Do use your time wisely
Focus your energy on using your time wisely instead of spinning your wheels. Unfortunately, people often waste valuable time and decrease their options waiting for the Bank to do what they said they were going to do. Additionally, merely talking to the Bank and submitting loan modification packages are not enough to save your home in many situations. Once a foreclosure lawsuit is filed, it is imperative that your case is defended during litigation in court. Simply speaking to the Bank does not press the proverbial “pause button” on the litigation process. Let our firm help you use your time wisely by determining the best course of action to take in your case, both before and after a lawsuit has been filed.
3. ✗ Don’t rely on non-attorney websites
Many non-attorney websites administer quasi-legal advice that focuses primarily on the exceptions to the general rules that govern foreclosure litigation. These sites often focus on what people want to hear and not what they need to hear. For example, there are many websites that state if the Bank does not have the Note, then the property can never be foreclosed upon. While this may be true in some limited cases, in a majority of cases the absence of the actual Note itself will not bar a Bank from recovering against you. There are, however, specific rules and procedures the Bank must follow in order to foreclose on a property, which an experienced attorney can review to determine compliance. Foreclosure defense is a complicated process which should be thoroughly discussed with an experienced attorney. Call a member of our firm today to discuss your case.
4. ✓ Do save all documentation you receive from the Court, the Bank, and the Bank’s attorney
Make sure you save all of your paperwork, regardless of how insignificant you think it may be. A folder from the dollar store will save you thousands in peace of mind, and may also save you time and money in your case. By saving all the documents you receive from the Court, the Bank, or it’s attorney, you will not only have a better idea of the status of your case, but you will have all of your communications, transactions, and court actions at your fingertips. Depending on what documents are sent (or not sent) to you, certain defenses could be raised on your behalf which could set-off the amount of money you may owe the Bank.
