Category: Featured
By Däna Wilkinson, Attorney at Law
closeAuthor: Däna Wilkinson, Attorney at Law
Name: Däna Wilkinson, Attorney at Law
Email: danawilkinson@charter.net
Site: http://www.danawilkinsonlaw.com
About: I am an attorney in a solo practice in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I am a certified specialist in bankruptcy and debtor/creditor law, and limit my practice to those issues.See Authors Posts (7) on Jul 21, 2008 in Featured, Mortgage Issues | 0 Comments
This weekend the New York Times published an article about the increased debt load carried by many Americans, and did a great job of explaining one of the primary reasons for the continuing mortgage and credit crisis, and why junk fees are increasing the cost of your home mortgage.
[B]ehind the big increase in consumer debt [...]
By Kent Anderson, Oregon Bankruptcy Attorney
closeAuthor: Kent Anderson, Oregon Bankruptcy Attorney
Name: Kent Anderson
Email: kent@kentandersonlaw.com
Site: http://www.kentandersonlaw.com
About: I was admitted to practice in Oregon in1978 and have practiced in the Oregon Bankruptcy Court since I was admitted to the federal court bar a few months later. I am designated as a Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist by the American Board of Certification, and have completed both the Max Gardner Bankruptcy Litigation Bootcamp and the Peter Barry Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Bootcamp. I am a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and have dedicated my practice to consumer advocacy. Mortgage Servicer abuse "correction" through bankruptcy adversary proceedings has become a matter of special interest in recent years. Many years of experience in practice before the Internal Revenue Service and Oregon Department of Revenue has made me a valued referral source for accountants, tax preparers and other attorneys.See Authors Posts (15) on Jul 13, 2008 in Featured, Mortgage Issues, Uncategorized, mortgage reform | 0 Comments
Two giant Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are teetering on the brink financially. These two entities, chartered by congress to help consumers find home loans at reasonable rates, are struggling with loan defaults. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (”FHLMC”), normally referred to as Freddie Mac, and Federal National [...]
By Kurt O'Keefe, Detroit Consumer Attorney
closeAuthor: Kurt O'Keefe, Detroit Consumer Attorney
Name: Kurt O'Keefe, Detroit Consumer Attorney
Email: koklaw@gmail.com
Site: http://www.koklaw.com
About: Solo practitioner, 28 years in practice, certified in Consumer Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification, Michigan State Chair for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, Martindale-Hubble av rated (highest rating)See Authors Posts (20) on Jul 9, 2008 in Featured, Uncategorized | 0 Comments
In as clear a case as you will find of closing the barn door after the horses get out, Fed chief Bernanke now proposes prohibiting lenders from giving mortgages without proof of income, among other mortgage reforms.
As the lenders threw money out the window the early part of this decade, they had to lower their [...]
By Chip Parker, Jacksonville Consumer Attorney
closeAuthor: Chip Parker, Jacksonville Consumer Attorney
Name: Chip Parker, Jacksonville Foreclosure Defense Attorney
Email: parker@jaxlawcenter.com
Site: http://www.jaxlawcenter.com
About: See Authors Posts (15) on Jul 3, 2008 in Featured, Foreclosure News, Foreclosure Process | 0 Comments
Foreclosures are up 47% in Jacksonville, Florida, which has created a challenge for the Duval County Clerk’s Office. Every foreclosure ends with the home being sold on the courthouse steps, and the increased volume often means large crowds and long auctions.
Such sales are often good deals for buyers because there is little competition for the [...]
By Chip Parker, Jacksonville Consumer Attorney
closeAuthor: Chip Parker, Jacksonville Consumer Attorney
Name: Chip Parker, Jacksonville Foreclosure Defense Attorney
Email: parker@jaxlawcenter.com
Site: http://www.jaxlawcenter.com
About: See Authors Posts (15) on Jun 30, 2008 in Featured, Mortgage Issues | 0 Comments
I have never checked my credit score. I have always used credit sparingly, and I’ve never been denied a loan. So, I’ve never really worried about my score until now.
No, I’m not overextended, but I utilize a home equity line on occasion to float larger purchases like a car. In the wake of massive foreclosure [...]
By Kurt O'Keefe, Detroit Consumer Attorney
closeAuthor: Kurt O'Keefe, Detroit Consumer Attorney
Name: Kurt O'Keefe, Detroit Consumer Attorney
Email: koklaw@gmail.com
Site: http://www.koklaw.com
About: Solo practitioner, 28 years in practice, certified in Consumer Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification, Michigan State Chair for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, Martindale-Hubble av rated (highest rating)See Authors Posts (20) on Jun 24, 2008 in Featured, Foreclosure News, Mortgage Issues, mortgage reform | 1 Comment
The U. S. Senate today voted to cut off debate on its bailout bill.
It would spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars for re-financing mortgages that are underwater now, that is, more is owed on the house than it is worth. This part of the program would be run by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
And, [...]
By Jay Fleischman, New York Consumer Attorney
closeAuthor: Jay Fleischman, New York Consumer Attorney
Name: Jay Fleischman, New York Foreclosure Defense Lawyer
Email: Jay@ForeclosureDefenseLawyer.com
Site: http://www.ForeclosureDefenseLawyer.com
About: See Authors Posts (10) on Jun 9, 2008 in Featured, Mortgage Issues In Bankruptcy, Mortgage Servicer Abuses | 0 Comments
cleveland-bankruptcy-court
Judge Pat E. Morganstern-Clarren of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio, fed up with the shenanigans of law firm Brice, Vander Linden & Wernick, P.C., ordered the firm to review over 1,200 claims filed in pending bankruptcy cases. The edict arose from the judge’s concern that Brice Vander Linden had [...]
By Jill Michaux, Kansas Bankruptcy Attorney
closeAuthor: Jill Michaux, Kansas Bankruptcy Attorney
Name: Jill Michaux
Email: jill.michaux@neismichaux.com
Site: http://www.neismichaux.com
About: Topeka's Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist, Jill A Michaux is the managing partner of the law firm, Neis & Michaux, P.A. She practices law with her husband, Mark W. Neis.
She has helped consumers with debt problems in bankruptcy since 1980. She is board certified consumer bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification since 1992.
You may reach her at her office in Suite 825 of the Bank of America Tower at 6th Street and Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka, 534 S. Kansas Ave., Ste. 825, Topeka, KS 66603-3446.
Telephone: 785-354-1471 or 866-354-1471
Fax: 785-354-1170
Website: www.neismichaux.com
Blog: www.bankruptcylawnetwork.com
E-mail: jill.michaux@neismichaux.comSee Authors Posts (7) on May 31, 2008 in Featured, Foreclosure News, Mortgage Issues | 2 Comments
A bankruptcy judge stunned the mortgage industry this week by discharging a stated income HELOC mortgage deficiency, even though the borrowers lied about their income on the loan application.
A false loan application is fraud and usually grounds to deny a bankruptcy discharge, but this lender did not verify the income and did not rely on [...]
By Eugene S. Melchionne, Connecticut Consumer Attorney
closeAuthor: Eugene S. Melchionne, Connecticut Consumer Attorney
Name: Eugene S. Melchionne, Connecticut Consumer Attorney
Email: eugene.melchionne@bankruptcylawnetwork.com
Site: http://www.ctbankruptcy.com
About: Mr. Melchionne is a graduate of The University of Connecticut (B.A. 1977) and Drake University School of Law (J.D. 1980) where he received the American Jurisprudence Award for academic excellence. Most recently, Mr.Melchionne was appointed to the Commission on Mortgage Foreclsoures by Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Chase Rogers to recommend changes to procedures to protect consumers in the Conencticut Courts in foreclousure cases.
Since 1980, Mr. Melchionne has focused his practice in the areas of consumer bankruptcy, workouts and foreclosure defense in distressed real estate markets, real estate transactions, condominium law, commercial litigation, business organizations and probate. Prior to opening his office in 1990, Mr. Melchionne was the Vice President of the Waterbury Credit Bureau and was associated with Grady & Riley in Waterbury, Connecticut and DiPietro, Kantrovitz & Brownstein, P.C. in New Haven, Connecticut. From 1990-1998, Mr. Melchionne was of counsel to Bender & Anderson handling that firm's complex litigation and trials. In addition to his practice, Mr. Melchionne was an adjunct professor at the American Institute of Banking and Teikyo Post University teaching bankruptcy, real estate, commercial and consumer law. Mr. Melchionne also advised the Corporation Counsel's office for the City of Waterbury on bankruptcy and foreclosure matters and mentored junior attorneys in that office.
Mr. Melchionne was appointed State Chair for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA). He acts as liasion between the national organization and Connecticut attorneys who are members of the Association.See Authors Posts (15) on May 28, 2008 in Featured, Foreclosure News | 0 Comments
Private statistics show that foreclosure filings continue to increase nationally. In April 2008, the number of homes facing foreclosure rose 65% over the same period last year. Nearly a quarter million homeowners received a foreclosure notice last month according to RealtyTrac, a company based in Irvine, California. Nonetheless, has the calm come [...]
By Chip Parker, Jacksonville Consumer Attorney
closeAuthor: Chip Parker, Jacksonville Consumer Attorney
Name: Chip Parker, Jacksonville Foreclosure Defense Attorney
Email: parker@jaxlawcenter.com
Site: http://www.jaxlawcenter.com
About: See Authors Posts (15) on May 21, 2008 in Featured, Foreclosure News, mortgage reform | 0 Comments
On my way to the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Convention in California last week, I read a disturbing article in the USA Today, which discussed people who have committed suicide as a result of their pending foreclosure.
According to the story, last October 23rd, Raymond and Deanna Donacas closed all their home’s doors except the [...]