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25 Jun, 2024 by Karinal123
I've just lost my business and everything else, and yesterday my car that was free and clear got taken away by the sheriff due to a writ of execution for a credit car debt. I called a lot of attorneys, and they all said pretty much that couldn't get my car back, that filing bankruptcy will not help to get it back. Most of the conversations were handle by the paralegals and very few attorneys themselves will take the time to talk to me. When I called Mr. Bigge's law firm I left a message, within an hour Mrs. Rodriguez, Bigge's partner return my call. She really listened to me, was very honest, compassionate and showed me their law firm is really there to help. She helped me and made calls in my behalf with out even knowing me, called me back several times to mantain me informed, until Mr. Bigge was able to call me. When I spoke with Mr. Bigge, because of the emergency of my case that I was trying to get my car back, he scheduled me in the morning of the next day, even though he was booked for the day. Before I went to his office he had already talked to the plaintiff councel and could get my car back. When I met with Mr. Bigge at his office, and he started asking me questions I thought everything was so chaotic in my life, but Mr. Bigge guided me in the right direction, showed me the light and made me realize my priorities. He explain that he's not in my plan until a year from now, that really showed me he's not there to get client's money, instead that he's there for the client's best interest.
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23 Sep, 2021 by Raymond
Mr. Bigge Jr. is a very understanding and compassionate lawyer. My home was in foreclosure and he proceeded to do what was necessary to keep us in our home. He is always available when I needed advice. Mr. Bigge Jr. is very knowledgeable in my bankruptcy case. He always returns his phone calls and will write correspondence in a timely manner. His office staff is also extremely professional and friendly. I highly recommend Mr. Robert James Bigge Jr.
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15 Aug, 2017 by Randy
Mr. Bigge Jr. was extremely professional and handled everything the way you would expect a top rated lawyer to do. He was always available when we needed advise. Mr. Bigge Jr. is very knowledgable in our bankruptcy case. He always returns his phone calls in a timely manner. His office staff is also extremely professional and friendly. We highly recommend Mr. Robert James Bigge Jr.
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01 Oct, 2015 by Gustavo
I have used Ms. Brunelli in personal and corporate litigation matters having to do with loan work-outs, several tenant eviction cases and post judgment collection work. She provides common sense legal advice focusing in getting the particular issue resolved in a cost effective manner. She is responsive and a consummate professional.
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01 Oct, 2015 by Walder
Marjorie is an excellent attorney. I hired her to represent me in my divorce and she was able to assist me during the whole process, and helped me keep custody of my daughter, and pay reasonable alimony. She was very accommodating and caring and I would highly recommend her for family law matters. She has also assisted me in business law matters by drafting very specific contracts and has been a diligent and strong advocate on behalf of my business.
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28 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
Marjorie (Brunelli) DeCastro-Hirsch, Esq. from The Law Offices of DeCastro-Hirsch, P.A. is an amazing lawyer. She was recommended to us because she used to work for the banks, and she knew the tricks they used to screw people. So perhaps we expected too much from the start. She is very personable and likeable. But when we hired her for a foreclosure battle, she was the only person on her staff. She is overworked and underappreciated. That is a shame. I really thought she would fight harder, but the problem was the banks still used the tricks. When I started to ask questions and forgive me, ask for replies, well things went south. She was offended when I wanted to know what was going on with my case. And so my case was settled, the bank made an extra $3000 off me, and so did she. Lesson learned. She is a great attorney, just not a fit for us. She owed me paperwork in the end, and never replied to emails sent. But it is ok. The best thing I can say is that we wanted to hire her to handle another legal matter for us, we went to another law firm and we are happier.
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25 Jul, 2024 by Devin
I hired and paid Mr Strauss to handle a matter that he claimed to be well versed on how to remedy. Once he got the retainer, he was much harder to reach, and come to find out, the motion he filed to fix the issue was premature. HE DID NOT EVEN KNOW THAT HE COULD NOT PROCEED WITH OUR COURSE OF ACTION BECAUSE THE CASE SEQUENCE HAD NOT ADVANCED FAR ENOUGH FOR US TO DO SO. When questioned on it, he became agitated and refused to accept fault in the matter.
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26 Mar, 2020 by Josh
It all started friendly, when Mr. strauss was referred to me through a networking group BNI. We met and discussed my companies process serving rates and how he would utilize our services. Strauss and his one man show, used our company a few times, rushed us around to serve legal documents and then claimed his was dissatisfied with our services and denied to pay. Couple years later, after multiple emails and phone calls to solve the problem have been ignored and brushed off. We have yet to be compensated. If he treats Local small businesses this way, beware how he handles your case.
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07 May, 2019 by Gary
Strauss was retained, cashed my check and it took him several weeks to appear in the case only after being reminded. He then scheduled 3 depositions, forgot about 1 and canceled 2 on the day they were scheduled. He never got the previously obtained discovery information. He was ultimately discharged from the case. I did not find him to be very competent much less interested in the case after he cashed the retainer check.
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18 Jul, 2014 by Sherri
If you use him, you will meet with him once then your file farmed out to non attorneys to"work" your file. In foreclosure he will take your money every month and barely just check docket every month (which you can do yourself going on clerk of court records search. If using him demand monthly detailed accounting of work and who handling.
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16 Jun, 2014 by Caitlen tanner
Michael Hirsch helped me when I needed a lawyer for my bankruptcy isssues. I'm not irresponsible, but when someone in your family has health problems it's very easy to sink fast. also i have some issues with that person in my family. But michael understood all that- the guy is so smart and he figured out exactly what i should do right away and he didn't make me feel bad, it's true what the other people say, he's not the kind of lawyer who makes you feel bad, he understands. and he knows about a ton of law stuff, so he helped me when I needed to sell my grandfather's condo. If you need a multipurpose lawyer, this is your guy. if you need a friend, this is also your guy.
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29 Dec, 2013 by Anonymous
We took our case to Michael Hirsch 3 years ago to for him to get us a modification on our loan due to our family having hardship at the time of recession and to avoid foreclosure. He said he had lots of experience and was successful and took our case. Each time we went to visit him as nothing was happening, he didn’t even remember us or our case. We had to go over our case again and again with him. Needless to say nothing happened on our case with Michael Hirsch. He basically took our money and when his office said they sent our documents to the bank when we followed up with the bank they said they never received anything from Hirsch or it was over 6 months since they heard from our attorney. I would warn anyone to think twice about hiring Michael Hirsch as your attorney.
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26 Oct, 2023 by Thomas malmberg
The absolute worst unaccountable talk talk people who lost one million of the estate by being absolutely clueless, slow, ignorant self-satisfied little things. An estate cannot take nearly 4 years to clear. Your relatives need a life and not this company.
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14 Sep, 2022 by Ron lee
Impeccable firm.
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24 Jun, 2022 by John leeheart
Been here for years now, the building and location are great!
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26 Oct, 2023 by Thomas malmberg
The absolute worst unaccountable talk talk people who lost one million of the estate by being absolutely clueless, slow, ignorant self-satisfied little things. An estate cannot take nearly 4 years to clear. Your relatives need a life and not this company.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
14 Sep, 2022 by Ron lee
Impeccable firm.
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star star star star star
24 Jun, 2022 by John leeheart
Been here for years now, the building and location are great!
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What a Foreclosure Lawyer Can Do for You

A foreclosure lawyer specializes in helping homeowners navigate the legal complexities of foreclosure, working to protect their rights and potentially save their homes. Foreclosure lawyers assist homeowners facing foreclosure by negotiating with lenders, filing legal defenses, and representing them in court. They also help with loan modifications, short sales, and other alternatives to foreclosure. Whether you’re behind on mortgage payments or already in foreclosure proceedings, a lawyer can help you explore your legal options and work toward a solution.

If you’re at risk of losing your home, a foreclosure lawyer can provide guidance on how to stop or delay the foreclosure process and protect your financial future.

When Should I Hire a Foreclosure Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a foreclosure lawyer in several situations where you are facing financial difficulties with your mortgage. Common reasons to hire a lawyer include:

  • Facing foreclosure proceedings: If your lender has initiated foreclosure proceedings, a lawyer can help you file a legal defense and explore options for stopping or delaying the process.
  • Loan modification: If you want to modify the terms of your mortgage to make payments more manageable, a lawyer can help you negotiate with your lender and ensure that the modification complies with legal standards.
  • Challenging the foreclosure: If you believe your lender has violated foreclosure laws or the terms of your mortgage agreement, a lawyer can help you challenge the foreclosure in court.
  • Stopping a foreclosure sale: If your home is about to be sold at a foreclosure auction, a lawyer may be able to file for a temporary restraining order or injunction to halt the sale.
  • Short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure: If you cannot afford to keep your home but want to avoid foreclosure, a lawyer can assist with arranging a short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure, where you voluntarily transfer ownership of the home to the lender to avoid foreclosure.
  • Filing for bankruptcy: If you’re unable to manage your mortgage debt and other financial obligations, a lawyer can advise whether filing for bankruptcy might stop foreclosure and help you restructure your debts.

Hiring a lawyer as soon as possible - especially when foreclosure is imminent - can provide you with more legal options to save your home or limit financial damages.

What Does a Foreclosure Lawyer Do?

A foreclosure lawyer provides a variety of legal services to homeowners facing foreclosure, working to protect their rights and help them avoid losing their homes. Their responsibilities often include:

  • Negotiating with lenders: A lawyer can negotiate with your lender to modify your mortgage or create a repayment plan, helping you avoid foreclosure by securing more favorable terms.
  • Filing a legal defense: If your lender is improperly foreclosing or has made errors in the foreclosure process, a lawyer can file a legal defense, challenging the foreclosure in court. Defenses may include violations of foreclosure laws, predatory lending practices, or failure to follow the terms of the mortgage.
  • Representing you in court: A lawyer can represent you in foreclosure proceedings, whether you are defending against the foreclosure, seeking more time to negotiate with the lender, or filing for bankruptcy.
  • Stopping or delaying foreclosure sales: If your home is scheduled for a foreclosure auction, a lawyer can help file a motion to stop or delay the sale, giving you time to explore other options.
  • Advising on bankruptcy: A foreclosure lawyer can assess whether filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy would be beneficial, as bankruptcy can temporarily stop foreclosure and give you time to reorganize your finances.
  • Arranging short sales or deeds in lieu of foreclosure: A lawyer can help facilitate a short sale (selling the property for less than the mortgage balance) or a deed in lieu of foreclosure (transferring the property to the lender), which may allow you to avoid the foreclosure process.

How Are Foreclosure Lawyers Paid?

Foreclosure lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the legal work involved. Common payment structures include:

  • Hourly rate: Many foreclosure lawyers charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
  • Flat fee: For specific legal services, such as negotiating a loan modification or filing a bankruptcy petition, some lawyers offer a flat fee. Flat fees can range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the scope of the work.
  • Retainer: In more complex foreclosure cases, especially those involving ongoing negotiations with lenders or court appearances, a lawyer may require a retainer. This is an upfront payment that is billed against as the lawyer works on your case.
  • Contingency fee (rare): In some rare cases, particularly when suing a lender for wrongful foreclosure, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if they win the case or settle on your behalf.

It’s important to discuss fees and payment arrangements with your lawyer upfront, especially if you are facing financial difficulties.

How Much Does a Foreclosure Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a foreclosure lawyer depends on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the amount of time required to resolve the issue. General cost estimates include:

  • Hourly rates: Foreclosure lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour. For example, a simple case with 10 hours of legal work at $300 per hour would cost $3,000.
  • Flat fees: For straightforward services such as filing for bankruptcy or negotiating a loan modification, flat fees typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the work.
  • Retainers: In more complex or ongoing foreclosure cases, a lawyer may require a retainer ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the length of the case and the lawyer’s experience.

In addition to legal fees, you may also need to cover additional costs, such as court filing fees or expenses related to property appraisals.

Top Questions to Ask a Foreclosure Lawyer

Before hiring a foreclosure lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the necessary experience and approach to help you. Key questions to ask include:

  1. What experience do you have with foreclosure cases?
    Ensure the lawyer has experience handling foreclosure cases similar to yours and has successfully helped homeowners avoid foreclosure or negotiate better terms.
  2. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or requires a retainer, and ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost of their services.
  3. What are my options for stopping foreclosure?
    Ask the lawyer to explain the different legal strategies available for stopping or delaying foreclosure, such as loan modifications, filing a legal defense, or bankruptcy.
  4. What is the likelihood of success in my case?
    Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case and the chances of successfully avoiding or delaying foreclosure.
  5. How long will the process take?
    Foreclosure cases can vary in duration, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to take and what factors might affect the timeline.
  6. Will I need to go to court?
    Ask whether your case is likely to settle out of court or if a trial may be necessary. If a trial is possible, ask what steps the lawyer will take to prepare.
  7. What steps can I take to protect my home?
    Ask the lawyer for advice on steps you can take to protect your home, such as making partial payments, negotiating with your lender, or exploring foreclosure alternatives.

How to Check the Credibility of a Foreclosure Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable foreclosure lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:

  • Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no disciplinary actions against them.
  • Look for foreclosure experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in foreclosure law and have successfully handled cases similar to yours.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about their experience with the lawyer.
  • Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on foreclosure matters.
  • Check for certifications or memberships: Look for lawyers who are members of organizations like the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) or who have specialized certifications in real estate or foreclosure law.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first consultation with a foreclosure lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:

  • Mortgage documents: Bring a copy of your mortgage agreement, payment history, and any correspondence you’ve received from your lender, including foreclosure notices or demand letters.
  • Financial information: Provide information about your income, expenses, and debts, as this will help the lawyer assess your financial situation and determine the best legal strategy for your case.
  • Previous communications with your lender: If you’ve already tried to negotiate with your lender, bring any emails, letters, or records of phone calls that document these communications.
  • Court documents (if applicable): If foreclosure proceedings have already begun, bring any court documents related to the case.
  • Questions about your legal options: Prepare a list of questions about the foreclosure process, your options for avoiding foreclosure, and how the lawyer plans to help you.

By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice for protecting your home from foreclosure.

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