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12 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Mr. Robinson has been my lawyer for the last 5 years. I have a very difficult case and he leads me through all process throughout the court system. When I don't understand something he take the time out to explain it to me in layman term. Mr. Robinson have been with me from the beginning even when I go through challenges he calm me down and tell me what the next steps will be.
So if you looking for someone that will all ways put his client best interest first and fight for you to the end that Mr. Robinson and his team
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03 May, 2020 by Anonymous
My wife contacted Mr. Robinson's office to see if he would be a good attorney for a matter involving a bank breaching a settlement agreement since he advertises that he specializes in consumer law. We were scheduled for a consultation, but when I emailed him to ask about why his initial consultation fee of $300 was so high and explained to him that no other attorneys I have spoken to or used in the past have ever required an exorbitant fee for an initial consultation and asked if he offered a free consultation, he emailed me back telling me that he closed my file because of my question and said that I could certainly seek free legal services if I wanted free advice. I emailed him back to explain that I was not asking him to close my file or seeking free legal advice, but just wanted to know if he provided legal advice during the consultation and asked for an explanation of the fee. His response was that he can no longer provide me with help with the matter which my wife initially contacted him for or any other matter. He told me that I'm not the type of client that he wants and he's not the type of attorney I wish to engage and that my question was previously answered by his paralegal. I had never spoken to or emailed him before. My wife had only spoken to his paralegal. I asked my wife if she had asked the paralegal why the fee was so high and what services he provides during the consultation and she said no. When the paralegal mentioned the consultation fee, she only asked if that was something we could handle, but she never explained why the fee was so high or what we could expect during the consultation. Mr. Robinson's response was rude and uncalled for, especially since this was his first and only communication with me. A potential client should be able to ask questions for clarification. Mr. Robinson came off as arrogant which was unexpected since he claims to be a consumer advocate.
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19 Feb, 2011 by K.c.
Dear Andrew,
I want to take the opportunity to write to express my appreciation for the assistance that you provided by representing me during my real-estate lawsuit.
Firstly, many thanks to you, Andrew, for working around the clock to help me secure a fair and acceptable outcome for my case. Not only did you make all of the necessary arrangements for the legal proceedings, you even personally served the papers.
During the entire process, you were constantly available to answer my questions, calm my fears and guide me in the appropriate actions that needed to be taken for the best outcome. All the while, you were compassionate, yet fair to both parties involved. Andrew, this sense of fairness impressed me greatly. It was a relief for me to have this level of service available to me. Your professionalism along with your empathy for my situation certainly helped to relieve some stress that I was going through at the time.
Lastly you stayed in touch with me on a daily basis and you continue to do so, now that I am in the collections stage of the court’s ruling. These actions certainly reinforced the quality of your firm, the quality of you, as a lawyer, and your personal commitment to the well-being of your clients.
With much gratitude!
Sincerely,
K.C.
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22 Dec, 2010 by Carmen
I hired Mr. Pavlinski to file an application for a visa for me. I provided him with payment and the necessary documents months in advance, and then didn't hear from him for a while. Whenever I asked him on the status he told me to "relax". He ended up filing my application a day late, which required me to leave the country. That was after I called him 5 times a day and emailed him every day for three days.
He then offered me to seek counsel elsewhere, and offered to refund me the money I had given him as a filing fee. The attorney who helped me afterwards told me that the initial step of my visa application (a Labor Condition Application) had been done incorrectly, which explained why after three months nothing had changed about my status and the Labor Condition Application was denied three times.
I am still waiting to have the fees ($2,500) refunded. I absolutely do not recommend Mr. Pavlinksi - not only did he clearly not have the experience to file my application and was dishonest in portraying his skills to me, he also made no efforts to make himself available or to correct his mistakes. His conduct was not professional.
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02 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Tony is a very caring lawyer. He puts himself in his client's situation and tries to help them as much as he can. I feel that he listen to me and work with me and put all his effort into our case.
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27 May, 2014 by Anonymous
Anthony Delas was such a horrible Attorney to deal with and here is why. Besides taking 2 years rather than 6 months to go through my bankruptcy process he always kept me in the dark of what was going on and what I should expect. He would always give me a days notice for meetings or important appointments which would get in trouble at work. His emails are very hard to understand and he would always have me resend attachments because he would "lose" them. I wouldn't recommend this attorney. He was such a headache to work with and made this process even more stressful. I honestly felt like he wasn't on my side. I was already very stressed and upset that I had to go bankrupt and he made the experience even worst.
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16 Sep, 2014 by Michael
In my case, the law, as written in the law books are being by passed by judges as they are pro banks. Melodie has her hands full in situations such as mine. She has found the proof that shows the Judges are in direct violation of the Law, and imposing their own interpretations of the laws, which are violating people's rights, and stripping them of their properties. Yet Melodie is there, fighting against all odds . . .
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15 Dec, 2013 by Anonymous
A company had referred us to her because she had worked with them in similar cases before. I don't recommend her only because she did not give us clear answers and we ended up paying her for more services because she would say we would have this option and that option if this appeal failed.
She had left us in the dark--didn't notify us of hearings or court notices. We had tried calling her to get verification and information on how the case was going and received vague answers. Because we weren't familiar with the legal jargon and processes we had a very hands-off approach and would call to check on the progress.
While we received the referral late in the case, it would have been nice to be kept updated instead of being told that things were filed or processed against us that we were unaware of. We didn't receive notices in mail or email and so we thought things were going well. After some time we'd call in with whether we'd be able to do something and she'd return saying that wouldn't be possible because this was filed against you. She went on to say this was filed at this date, but she had not notified of this. We felt like there was a lot of pertinent information necessary to our daily lives that we were not made aware of.
She would have been able to solve our problems if she had done her due diligence and gotten her paperwork ready prior to speaking in court. We found later that her defense used paperwork she didn't have and so instead, our case became a long drawn out process with more money having to be paid out.
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25 Jul, 2012 by Mkumu
From Beggining to end the process was a bit long but definitely worth all the wait. My mortgage payment has gone down from 4500.00 to 2200.00!! That's an incredible savings!! This will help us take care of our other obligations.
Thank you so much!!
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20 Feb, 2010 by Anonymous
Said they could save my home but couldnt.
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13 Jun, 2012 by Daniel
We have hired John (Jack) for several cases. Have also worked with many clients along with John. Have had great results. He is very personable and very skilled.
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08 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
Not trustworty or truthful. Took our money without producing anything but a printed sheet off the internet. Would not refund any money back. A guy like this gives lawyers a bad name.
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04 Jul, 2018 by Liza
I went in for a consultation and he talked things out with me and it seemed as if he understood my consultation. I didn't end up hiring because I moved but if I hadn't I would have hired him
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11 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
I went to Mr. Gaffney for a consultation. He was incredibly arrogant, disrespectful of my situation and patronizing. There are plenty of bankruptcy attorneys in Brooklyn, so I left and went ato someone competent.
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30 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Bruce overcharged for services and did not satisfy the situation as he said he would. I would not recommend.
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14 Oct, 2018 by Linda
From the beginning, Attorney Broyles proved to be a top notch lawyer. I had a dispute with my landlord,and was very unsure of the tenant - landlord laws and my rights in relation to them. I needed advice quickly. I searched the internet, and to be honest, I chose Attorney Broyles because his website offered a consultation whereas you could send his firm an email describing your issue and promised a speedy response. To my surprise, Attorney Broyles himself responded within 30 minutes if my request!!!! Without asking for any fees, he gave me excellent advice, which included quotes from the laws pertaining to my situation. When I asked him for his fees for sending a letter to my landlord, and for representing me in court if the matter went further, I was even more impressed!!! His fees were extremely affordable which also showed me that he cares about helping others.... it’s not just about making money!!! Ultimately, we did end up having to go to court, and he was absolutely phenomenal!! When I arrived, he had already spoken with the opposing counsel in the days leading up to our court date, and the decision was already made in our favor!!! Our appearance was pretty much just a formality. Since then, I have emailed him for other various concerns with the same landlord, and Attorney Broyles has ALWAYS been very responsive, knowledgeable, and professional with his FREE advice. With his help, I successfully fulfilled my lease with a difficult landlord, AND received 100% of my deposit. If you are looking for a great Attorney, I promise you that you will be extremely satisfied with Attorney Bruce Broyles!!!
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06 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
Jamie Robyn Graves-Haslam helped me obtain an order of protection. She was very professional. She was extremely helpful in answering my multitude of questions. I was impressed how timely was in her responses to me and not only did she provide superb legal assistance and representation she also showed me she truly cared. Her compassion towards me and my case made going through the process much less stressful. Anyone that has her as a lawyer will be very lucky because she is great at what she does and she is compassionate about helping others.
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12 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
As a long distance Co parent who is disabled and unable to travel, I consulted with and subsequently hired this attorney to do a writ of habeas after child was kept from returning home. That was 3-2016. I still haven't seen my child. She could have been the key to getting an autistic child home but now his location is unknown. She took the case, left out of the country a week later for a week, came back to my panic over new information (allehe'd and false) but refused to check info. Instead withdrew and stated they were too busy to take me on. Since that time I've been unable to gain confidence to go pro se or hire another atty due to severe anxiety and fear.
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09 May, 2013 by Lori
Terrible attorney took my money promised to go to court and get my back due rent and never did any work besides a phone call to my advisory.
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03 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
He is very knowlegabe about the law. I was charged with unregistered handgun. I was facing prison but he got my probation. I would definately recommend him.
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25 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Mr Dannemeyer was unhelpful, unprofessional, unresponsive to inquiries. He had no compassion whatsoever for my case. It was if he was hoping that I lost my case (which I did because he forgot to notify me of an important legal matter)
I found him to be untrustworthy and unreliable. I feel bad for anyone who isn't wealthy and needs his help, he will ignore your calls. In my opinion, He is extremely unethical.
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20 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Used Mr. Dannemeyer a few years ago in a landlord-tenant dispute that went to trial. Mr. Dannemeyer had great trial presence, superb sense of humor, and a keen insight into the landlord's extremely dishonest tactics. We prevailed. A true professional.
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21 Jul, 2023 by Paola worthington
I have hired John Salcedo to manage many of my claims, I was doing bsuiness with hom for around 3-4 years . I hired him again for one of my customer's claims because it was denied by the insurance company. It took around 3 years to have it settled. My estimate was for $53,482.72 and he got without never ask me $25,000.00 only.
Not only that, but he NEVER call me , NOBODY from his office call me. They have my cellphone number for so long, they have my cellphone numebr in the estimaye that they were using everytime thet were talking to the insurance company. On top of all this, the check didn;t have my company's name on it, anf now 3 months after John Salcedo sent the check direclty to the customer, my customer spend the money.
My email was full of stoarge and waht of a coincidence that they said they coudn't communicate with me on that month.
Now, I have $0.00 of a job that cost me more than the $25,000 , the customer got free money ., $25,000.00!
NOBODY CALLED ME . I would never use this firm and I'm going to make sure that all my Colleagues know about it so they don;t hire him.
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30 Sep, 2014 by Datan
Mr. Salcedo is a gentleman and a scholar. His high ethical standards and commitment to his clients is outstanding. I would recommend Mr. Salcedo without reservation. He also smells nice.
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22 Oct, 2015 by David
Atty. King has helped me on several occasions and has always been up front and direct with regards to the expected outcome. He is an excellent litigator and is well respected by prosecutors, judges and fellow defense attorneys in the multiple counties in which he practices. I highly recommend him!
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06 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
I have no feedback for his work as a lawyer, but his personal skills are beyond horrible. After my initial inquiry and multiple attempts to confirm receipt of my fax, he called me and yelled at me non-stop and lied about his calling me back multiple times (I got 1 call 4 days later). He would not let me say a single word for well over a minute. He then hung up on me and when I called him back, he told me to NEVER call his cell phone ever again. He did not return the emails I had sent, and he waited 4 days to tell me he did not receive my faxes and then complained that this all would be blamed on him because I didn't send the document! (Why would I NOT send the documents and then ask multiple times if you received them?!?!)
What a horrible representation and initial impression he gave us. Even if I were in the wrong completely, this is no way for reasonable humans to act. Engage this man with caution. He may be a wonderful lawyer, but I would never trust him.
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15 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
Gave her a $3000.00 retainer ,she wanted cash only.... she used most of the money and did nothing in 6 monthes.Now we need to find another attorney that will do what she promised.
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09 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
Ms. Grasso has always responded to our requests in a timely, accurate and supportive manner. When we approached her with an issue not in her wheel house she referred us to another lawyer that was also responsive and dependable. I appreciate her directness and comfortable demeanor. We highly recommend her for family law issues.
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09 Jun, 2020 by Anonymous
Sharman represented me in a family law matter and was incredibly opinionated and unprofessional. Heard more about her personal critique of my character before court than the situation she was there for. Felt like she was representing my Ex and not myself. I resent ever having dealt with this person. Clearly she did not want to be there and clearly made her judgement of me well known.
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31 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
When I was being investigated by at least two prosecuting agencies, I immediately contacted and hired Sharman. She guided me through the process, and allowed me to have my sanity when I felt that everything was crashing down. She gave me the peace of mind to know that my case was being defended in the best way possible. If you are ever charged with a crime, or are being investigated for a potential one, then you will know exactly what I mean. Sharman is highly skilled, but most importantly, trustworthy.
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18 May, 2012 by Scott
Tom prepared new estate planning documents for me and my wife. He met us at our home, understood our concerns, and put together an easy to understand estate plan.
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15 May, 2012 by Anonymous
This is the most unethical lawyer I have ever dealt with. He held my 1000 dollar retainer for 13 months without ever working on my case. My emails were not answered, my phone calls not returned. When I did speak with him I found him to be very condescending and arrogant. Save yourself the trouble and go elsewhere.
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26 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
He was aweful. He did not follow through on certain paperwork needed during my bankruptcy and so in turn my car almost got repossed. He was an idiot and caused me more stress and aggravation. Waste of my money and time.
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09 Dec, 2016 by Evan
handled personal bankruptcy and mortgage problems in the most professional manner always taking time to explain all options extremely fair with his fees and available for consultation at all times not only a wonderful attorney but a true gentleman as well
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20 Apr, 2022 by Johnny rodriguez
29 May, 2018 by John athanasatos
Very Unprofessional! This firm hired me to serve a 30 day notice on a tenant. First, they try to haggle me with my fee, then after I make 2 attempts and mail out summons to tenant and submit an affidavit (notarized) to the office, the owner(Robert) insults me, tries to make excuses not to pay me, wanting me to re serve the papers again. Rather than arguing with him, I just left the office. He follows me outside, harassing me, cursing at me, that I slammed his door. I do not recommend this attorney or this firm. I had a feeling all along that he was going to cheat me out of my fee.
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25 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
This lawyer is terrible. He will not call you back, or complete the job hired for. He will gladly take your money. It’s about money for his 1000 children.
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28 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
I have been represented by Shawn French for over 4 years on a wrongful foreclosure brought by a bank not even associated with my home loan. I am a victim of the dreaded robo-signed documents. Mr. French is extremely knowledgeable, very personable and I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of foreclosure defense. So far, my case has been stalled in the court system for over 4 years. I am well defended and well protected by this attorney. In addition to my foreclosure defense, Mr. French has also helped me with successfully defending against collection agency efforts. I cannot recommend him more. He deserves 10 stars!
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25 Oct, 2013 by Linda
This is the second time Attorney Lasheyl Stroud has represented me. The first was a successful family matter. This dealing is with a Criminal Case. Attorney Stroud and her staff have been prompt, professional and reassuring regarding our case. I highly recommend her.
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25 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
this attorney has the rudest front desk male rep. He kept losing my file and couldnt remember my payments or things we talked or done even a day before. I was able to speak to the attorney only 1 time. she wasnt receptive. She behaved as if she was too important for me. her front desk toldme last minute that she said that she couldnt take my case. later i found out the reason she stated for not taking my case was was totally OFF. OVER 5 other attorneys during FREE consultation gave me better information about my case. when i called back to let them know my findings her front desk started yelling . The divorce process is very stressful and the interaction with this attorney making the situation 100 TIMES more stressful and she has not even started the case! therefore i am looking for another attorney. smh
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31 Oct, 2022 by Michelle
Kathleen Donnelly is the only bankruptcy attorney I would ever recommend to my family and friends. I fell into a financial disaster over the last few years after an ugly divorce. I had no idea what to do or what to expect. My wages were being garnished and the hardships were piling. Kathy was so patient and understanding with me though the process. She was very easy to reach and answered any of my questions quickly. I highly recommend Kathleen Donnelly.
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01 Feb, 2018 by Susan g.
I strongly recommend not to hire Attorney Donnelly .
She was very irresponsible in her communication on my case and led my home into foreclosure. Absolutely inexcusable. I was able to higher an honorable attorney , which cost me additional money , but got my house out of the mess she created.
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21 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
bad lawyer do ignore the message, they have no empathy. we black ppl are in dangerous situation right now while the bad lawyer is not doing right thing. very scary
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04 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
Thank you so much for your dilligent and hard work. I tried to get a loan modification for a year and the bank continued my foreclosure case. The modification you and your team worked on will allow me and my family to stay in our house. Thank you again
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05 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
I consulted with Ms. Freel-Sparks regarding our case and felt she was honest about her professional opinions. She made some assumptions about our case without having a clear picture of certain issues and not reviewing the information we were willing to provide. She didn't feel it would have made a difference, I totally disagreed with this assessment.
Overall, she is an attorney that claims to be a very good negotiator, but not a fighter or one to take a firm stance. This is someone to bridge the gap, to discuss issues that specifically deal with special education, but feels there has to be a real need to retain attorney.
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01 Feb, 2024 by Anthony townsend
Needs more stufd
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15 Mar, 2021 by Bruce somes
28 Nov, 2019 by Mary quesenberry
My brother and I hired her to help us with an issue. She talked to the OTHER party and gave THEM advice after I specifically told her I didn’t want them to know certain information. We fired her. If I could give her a zero, I would!
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10 May, 2024 by Cal hultquist
I recently had the privilege of being introduced to Attorney Melanie McGahee through another law firm we've used on other matters in Florida. Her expertise and advice are impeccable and she made the whole transaction so easy and straightforward. I highly recommend this firm.
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26 Apr, 2024 by Douglas castro
Terrible communication and lame excuses on why they did not return emails or phone calls.
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01 Jun, 2023 by A dead girl
rip off
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14 Oct, 2020 by Anat yefet
15 Nov, 2017 by Antonio “tone” medina
Parking is tricky, call for directions
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18 May, 2021 by Vanessa
I reached out to Louis regarding a bait and switch scam I was the victim of in May 2021. LOUIS WAS AWESOME. He answered my emails and calls pretty much immediately, guided me through the entire process (even on the weekend) and got me a FULL refund back. He called everything before it happened and without his help I most definitely would have had a disaster on my hands. I CANT THANK YOU ENOUGH- Vanessa Branca
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05 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Louis was my lawyer on a fraudulent mechanic lien case. He did almost no leg work on the case, presented none of the evidence we gave him causing us to lose. Then when we questioned what happened. He stated we were hostile and presented fraudulent evindence. Stay away from this lawyer
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20 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
I RETAINED LOUIS SCHWARTZ OVER 6 MONTHS AGO TO DO AN UTPCPL COMPLAINT. I GAVE HIM ALL HE NEEDED. OVER 6 MONTHS LATER HE'S ON DRAFT 5, AND IT'S ALL IN MY PRO SE: COMPLAINT IN THE THIRD CIRCUIT. nOT VERY GOOD.
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23 Feb, 2024 by Dylan dodds
Been a homeless Vet for the past 5 years. Finally in the final steps of buying a home. (This has to come off for approval) I save up all of my money for a whole year to pay off a collection. I send the money and almost 2 months later I call Navy Federal and still they haven't sent the payment over to them. Effectively making me homeless again. Thanks for the sense of urgency I was very polite and I noticed and something was off the whole time.
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12 Jan, 2024 by Ronciia langham
I set up a payment plan almost 3yrs ago for navy federal credit union and have been paying faithfully every month the last couple months have been a little hard for me but I been making my payments but have been late and i had spoken to a rep prior and she stated that would be ok if I was a little late and I also have an email when I setup my account where it said I could be 5 days late today I get a call from them saying I have 5 months of payments left and they have a new system and want me to setup auto pay I told her I haven't been doing auto pay and I don't wanna start now she then said that she's going to let navy federal and her boss know that I have defaulted on my loans because I haven't stuck to the date I originally said I could pay then she yelled at me and hung up on me ..... I was late 3 times I get almost done with paying off my debt and this company wants to say I have defaulted on my payments..... YOU GUYS ARE HORRIBLE I COULD SEE IF I WASNT MAKING MY PAYMENTS BUT I AM
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17 Nov, 2023 by Rem
One of my clients has been trying to get in contact to pay a debt and they say their phone service is down, will be contacting the AG & i suggest anyone who owes a debt to them do the same.
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Discover the ideal lawyer
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
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:
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
