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14 Apr, 2015 by Lucy
Ms. Saraniti is a very detail oriented attorney who performs collections for our organization. Ms. Saraniti has been able to collect a significant amount of funds that had moved to collections for our Homeowners' Associations allowing the HOAs to minimize their bad debt each year. We are pleased to work with her as we know her involvement in Community Association Institute keeps her on top of any legislative concerns and case law precedents. In turn, this enables us to be on the forefront of HOA collections.
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30 Aug, 2022 by Shawn
This firm missed critical deadlines on two of my cases that were easily winnable. When I asked them to correct their mistakes, they withdrew from the cases.
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11 Sep, 2013 by Lori
This attorney has serious ethical issues! She failed to serve us with documents! We were never able to respond without knowledge of her court actions against us! We have called several times after we got a garnishment and she ignores us and hangs up on us. DO NOT ever use her for any services.
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18 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
Settled my case while I was under rehabilative care.
I never recieved an itemized bill from him.
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20 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
(1) there has been a severe lack of communication (not able to call or even leave voicemails since the voicemail box is full),
(2) pleadings were filed in an untimely manner,
(3) Idaho State law (which is irrelevant in WA State) was cited throughout a crucial pleading in this matter;
(4) lack of appearance in a CRUCIAL HEARING resulted in the court automatically granting the Defendant's Order to Dismiss with Prejudice because there was no case presented on behalf of the Plaintiff. Whether or not they would have won this case, it is abundantly clear that she and her firm FAILED to adequately represent the plaintiffs, even though they paid thousands of dollars to her...
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12 May, 2017 by Anonymous
It was a really disappointing experience! Always late for scheduled phone calls - late for over 30 minutes for two consecutive times. And always procrastinating - would not start doing stuff until I asked REPEATEDLY! Also, the common scenario is that I would write on Monday asking her progress/questions, she would respond to schedule a phone call on Tuesday, and from Wednesday on until the following week I couldn't reach her anymore - no heads up about traveling/conferencing and the only way of finding out is the automatic email response that "I am out of town till next week". Had little attention to detail - had my name spelled wrong in the contract. Just switched to a different law firm - rather pay a higher price for a more professional and capable lawyer! The new lawyer responds to questions so fast and always give me heads up if he will be delayed by some other cases. Comparisons really makes me see the differences.
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05 Apr, 2015 by Robert
DO NOT HIRE. I never for the most part take the time out of my busy schedule to write reviews but this is one exception I will make. This will be bit of a read but believe me you will be happy you came across this while looking for an Immigration lawyer to hire. At first when my wife and I needed to find a lawyer to handle our case to get her Spouse Visa I called many different lawyers and I was not confident in any of them as I was with Phil Mirarchi. I was genuinely really happy when first speaking with him, and he sounded really knowledgeable in this very important process which would change both of our lives. I would later on really be disappointed in having hired him to handle our case and you will too if you hire him.
. I can't explain how tiring and upset I am because I honestly felt I would of done a better job ourselves. With the lack of communication, negligence, and apathetic care in the case there is no way I could ever refer him to anyone. With such an life changing process if you really care about your loved one please look elsewhere because this is NOT the lawyer to hire. We did not get reimbursed or even a partial refund for all the issues that were caused, and that's ok. We did learn our lesson and I hope you too don't get suckered in and suffer the same heartache we went through dealing with Phil Mirarchi. This has really negatively impacted both of us and now we are left with the damage already being done.
BEWARE... out of a rating of a 5 I would give him a .5/5 because he did make a good impression in the interview. Went down hill after that. ..
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09 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
I CALLED THE OFFICE DUE TO ONGOING UNWARRANTED LETTERS FROM THIS LAW FIRM. I EXPLAINED THAT HE'S SERVING ME THE TENANT AND NOT THE ACTUAL OWNERS. THE RECEPTIONIST ACTED TOTALLY CLUELESS AS TO WHAT I WAS SAYING REPEATING HIMSELF AS IF I WAS ILLITERATE. HE THEN PLACED ME ON HOLD IN ORDER TO CONTACT THE LAWYER. THE LAWYER MR. HEMENWAY PICKS UP THE PHONE, DID NOT GIVE ME A CHANCE TO SAY ANYTHING RUDELY SAID, "WE'RE AT LUNCH" AND DISRESPECTFULLY HUNG THE PHONE UP. I REPORTED ALL OF THIS TO SEVERAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES THAT HANDLE THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR. IT TAKES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO BE KIND REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION. AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MY NAME AND POLITENESS SHOULD NEVER BE VIOLATED, YOU BEING A LAWYER KNOWS IT FALLS UNDER CIVIL RIGHTS.
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09 Feb, 2022 by Gary
NCED Case :21-cv-00080
Hutchens Law Firm Foreclosure during Covid 19 No Eviction mandate by NC Courts and Gov Cooper.
Firm was notified 60 prior. Foreclosure and Eviction continued of 53 y/o Disabiled Veteran/Tenant who had 'Mechanics Lein' on property. The Lawyers advised a physical 'Lock Out' of Disabiled Veteran and '
"Stole/Destroyed the Disabiled 'Personal Belongings' "
The Veterans Homeless Housing Grant and Medical care needs to be Repaid. The Veterans Civil Rights were Violated!
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07 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
I sincerely do not know how people like this stay in business. Ms. Stasch is pleasant to speak with, but totally useless and ineffective otherwise. I hired her for simple representation during a Wells Fargo loan modification. Wells Fargo (WF) continually had me re-submit documents over and over, claiming that they could not reach the IRS to verify my paid taxes and that they could not read my pay stubs (from a company that has been in business since 1930), plus they supplied documents for me to sign with a $5000 typo on it. Ms. Stasch did and said ABSOLUTELY NOTHING during these events and did not even catch the $5000 error. She further stated that she knew "Nothing about the modification" that I received from WF, implying that's why she did not exam it. I contacted both Fannie and the WA State AG's office and they stated that my attorney (Ms. Stasch) should be addressing all of the WF anomalies. Stasch decided to disagree for some unknown reason. In the end, after six months of her involvement, my loan wasn't even modified and Stasch stated that I should just be overjoyed with the outcome. I wish the best for her, but would only recommend her if you like the kind of actions she provided above.
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09 Jun, 2017 by Bob
I came to Jake on insistence from his staff that he knew what the court would do in a divorce. To quote them, Jake bragged about being able to call the award by a few hundred dollars. Jake avoided this question directly with answers like, I have handled 2500 divorces in my time. My impression Jake shoots from the hip. The first conversation he had my my spouses attorney was on the topic of how much this was going to cost me. Where I work this action would have created an ethics investigation and I was even billed for this call. Another huge mistake made involved me asking if working OT would affect the out come. Jake told me it would not. The outcome would be based on income before the separation date. Knowing I was going to get stuck with the majority of the bills I worked as much as possible after he gave me this legal advise . Jake was absolutely wrong with his advise. My OT was used in figuring the maintenance figure. In all, Jake's advise cost me close to 100K in extra Maintenance. Divorce is a hard undertaking. When confused and asking Jake questions he would start yelling. I came to him for advise not abuse. Looking back Jake offered very little advise in mediation. I was lead to believe he had my back. Jake didnt even know the tax consequence, but the spouses attorney sure did. Jake will pass that off as he is not a CPA. I ended up getting screwed. I asked Jake to get me to Mediation as fast as possible this ended up taking many months and costing 27k. This was settled in mediation and didn't go to court. If I had to do it all over I would find a younger attorney that had been divorced and knows the current law. Keep in mind all men's divorce guides state is an attorney doesn't know what the court will do is not worth their salt. Jake obviously doesn't .
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11 Aug, 2023 by Brian
I am not going to waste your time with a sob story, In my opinion, it is best to just use another company.
This rating is not rectifiable, so please don't ask again.
Rest assured, I am a legitimate customer that paid Mr. Levine for his services. They can play the semantics game and say that I am not their "client", but again, I absolutely used his services, thus, I am leaving a legitimate review of my personal experience, to suggest otherwise is misleading to say the least.
Mr. Levine did contact me to rectify this situation but we are at an impasse.
He is suggesting that clarification of a mediation agreement that he authored is considered legal advice, and I disagree.
It is important for mediators to be aware of the line between clarification and advice, especially during mediation.
He seemed to understand this point during mediation.
As I understand it, as a mediator, he was never allowed to provide legal advice but he was, and still is, allowed to clarify what is written in the mediation agreement that he authored.
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22 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
Arlene is very nice to speak to and a nice person but that is where the good experience stops. It was very frustrating and time consuming to constantly chase after a lawyer to follow-up on closing matters. Arlene is not detailed oriented and does not allot an appropriate amount of time to "close" on the transaction/business at hand during her day. She follows-up on 1 out of every 3-5 emails and the same ratio for phone calls. A mistake was made in the closing settlement that would have cost appx $500 if I had not caught it. I am still waiting for a closing document to be delivered and the closing was over 2 months ago.
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16 Jan, 2020 by Jessica
I was referred to this attorney and qualified for a free phone consultation. Maybe that is why I was treated the way I was treated. This woman would not let me finish a sentence, kept rushing me, wouldn't let me explain my entire situation, and spoke to me as if I were dirt on the ground. When I asked her if I could finish what I was saying, after being interrupted for literally an entire 10 min conversation (I was entitled to 30 minutes), she replied with, "I don't think this is going to be a good fit". I completely agreed. I have never been spoken to in such a way by a "professional" before. I have never gone out of my way to give a bad review, but I was in tears by the end of the call due to how cruel she was. All I wanted was some advice. Please, do not bother with this attorney, unless you want to be made to feel terrible. I get the feeling that if I had a lot of money, I may have been treated quite differently.
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30 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
This office turnover was every year, which made a very confusing and unprofessional office. Your calls are never returned in a courteous time frame. I got better results doing my own research. It will be a big mistake hiring her
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18 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
We talked a lot about what I needed and she seemed to understand and was enthusiastic. Over and over. She reassured me my problem was getting solved and that I need not worry. Over and over. I spent plenty, both in time and money. She was unable to deliver.
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29 Dec, 2014 by Eric
I hired Mr. Richard Evans to assist to defend me in the event that I was to be sued by our lender for a real estate project that went sour. To start, I was billed $1819 for initial research in the first week. I was then billed an additional $3,333 the following week for more research. After these 2 invoices were paid (Total $5152) Mr. Evans asked for a $7500 retainer that would be used for future litigation. I have an email from Mr. Evans that supports this as well. After the first week, I got an invoice that showed $5350 was already used of the $7500 retainer. I immediately contacted Mr. Evans and he explained that the money was spent on even more research. This research was not authorized or approved. This retainer was to be used for his services in actually litigating. The definition of litigation is: the process of taking legal action. IE: legal proceedings, legal actions, showing up in court, etc. None of these items happened. He merely continued to do more double research and charge excessive amounts. Mr. Evans misrepresented what this retainer was for and took advantage of me. When I signed this retainer, Mr. Evans made it very clear that it would be for future litigation and it would get me a good chunk of the way through the lawsuit. Instead, he blew through $5350 of $7500 (almost all of the retainer) in the first week doing absolutely nothing. He even lumped in old charges of work he did before the retainer was signed and those charges should have been on previous invoices. I have emails and invoices that support all of my claims. I have paid $10,500 for "alleged" research for this lawyer and have absolutely nothing to show for any of it. Once I realized that I was being scammed I promptly terminated the services of Mr. Evans. I have hired a new lawyer and he is advising me to file a complaint with the BBB and attorney general. Mr. Evans refuses to give a refund of any amount. I have a significant amount of experience with dealing with lawyers and have never been treated like this.
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27 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Todd was my "lawyer" in a family court matter....I quickly learned he has no clue, no spine and no understanding of professional ethics! Steer clear of this one
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21 May, 2013 by Cora
The absolute worst, stay away at all costs. Cookie cutter answers to complex or even simple problems, they didn't read or research what I wrote them and barely even showed up in court on time (over an hour late). Poor communication and even worse client management skill.
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29 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Turner to correct a deed issue that I discovered after purchasing my house because he was recommended to me by another lawyer who, like him, is in a group called BNI. He assured me that he could remedy my issue because he had experience correcting 2-3 similar situations. He did some initial research and after a year of no resolution nor forward movement, came to the conclusion that I had to sue all my neighbors to correct my deed. After harming my relationships with my neighbors, he became impossible to contact, never returning my texts, emails nor phone calls. Essentially, he took my money and did not do what he said he would do nor would he be accountable for his actions or lack thereof. He cost me much more money than I paid him because I wasted almost a year and a half dealing with him and I had to pay a mortgage for a house I could not sell at market rate. Mr. Turner acted in a very
unscrupulous manner, taking my money, not being accountable for it and avoiding my correspondence.
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18 Jan, 2013 by Ada
Mr. Johnson would not return emails, texts or phone messages. He did not keep me informed of my case and did not appear in court on my behalf.
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29 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Derek Gilbert to handle a new residential purchase. Gilbert law firm delayed my closing from a Thursday to a Monday due to capacity issues/being under staffed. When confronted about the bind the delay had on me, the customer, Gilbert Law firm would not accept responsibility nor would they make any attempt to accommodate the closing on the date specified in the contract. The delay impacted me personally and financially. Do not hire this firm if you expect service and professional behavior.
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06 Feb, 2024 by Robert
Oliver was hired by my insurance company to represent me in a lawsuit. He did absolutely nothing but send a motion for discovery and then settled against my wishes. If you need legal help, look elsewhere he is terrible and lazy.
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21 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
This attorney has been terrorizing my community for years. He was let go by his firm has a share holder and moved to Porter Law Firm as a managing HOA attorney. Look up liar in the dictionary and his picture will show.
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25 Jan, 2023 by Gerry
I hired Jeff Davis to advise me about a problem with my ingress and egress easement. He said he knew the law, but then he wanted to use my retainer to pay him for his research time. Ultimately he learned less than what I learned from Westlaw on my own. He owed me a $500 refund but two years later, I still haven’t gotten my refund from him.
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22 Dec, 2010 by Anonymous
There was a clear lack of 'legal advising' in my case. Whenever I would speak with Mr. Sternberg, he would only give me very vague and obvious advise. Would have been better off using my dog to represent me.
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07 Apr, 2023 by Betterthanu
Doesn't seem to work or do his job to me seems like a fake wanna be I wouldn't recommend him to the worst crimnals alive to stand up for or maybe I would I don't know yet I don't like you Dave not one bit
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24 Feb, 2021 by William
The interaction with this proclaimed individual attesting to present the benefits of citizenship in this democracy has led me to the complete amazement that life exists as a human in the structure of which he displays. Only late enough to survive, did I realize his complete lack of credibility and worthiness, I am now awaiting for the cases to settle that I may continue my path toward the expulsion of his ability to enter a court room without a subpoena to appear. He has even lost track of whether a certain party has assumed, or may, if desired, assume the position requiring responsibility over rights. He has been very effective somehow, and shows strong merits with his extreme ability to coerce the members of the bench for advantage and gains. Not sure if he would taste better than a worm, but the strong resemblance is present. Similar to the grocery list, it is your choice but select cautiously.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Was hired for debt consolidation in 11/2023 Has done nothing besides talk a good game and take your fee! Will not return phone calls or answering emails! In the process of trying to get help to get $ 1500 of wasted money back with a senior who was already financially struggling at the time! Scum Bag
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20 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
He smooth talks you and does all the upfront work so he can get paid. He does all the initial filings then drops you like a bad habit. He failed to submit paperwork on our “supposed” behalf to the board of trustees and they filed to have our case dismissed. Numerous emails and phone calls were unanswered/unreturned and I had to do all the work myself. Don’t hire this scumbag.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Robert m
I see all the 1 stars they are Racist Attorney, this what happen to me this morning,
I am afro-American call this Attorney The phone person was Very Nasty and Rude she sound like Racist, i did not tell her what kinder of help i need , quickly she say he will not help , i never got a change to explain my legal issues . This not the way a Attorney should conduct business,The state give them License, you can file a complaint against them here,Statewide Grievance Committee 860-296-3848
Statewide Bar Counsel and contact The Judicial Branch
Committees, Commissions and Boards
=================================================,
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT THE
COMPLAINT AGAINST ATTORNEY
FORM JD-GC-6
JD-GC-6 Rev. 3-23
Read these instructions before filling out and filing the form. You may also find useful
information in the pamphlet “Attorney Grievance Procedures in Connecticut,” which is available
at: http://www.jud.ct.gov/Publications/gc008.pdf
This form is available
in other language(s).
1. Fill out the form electronically. You can do that online at http://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/gc006.pdf and you can
save it. If you cannot fill out the form online, then fill it out by printing in ink only. If we cannot read your complaint, it will
be returned to you. Keep a copy of the complaint for your records.
2. The form must be filled out in English.
3. An original complaint form must be filed by each complainant (the person making the complaint against the attorney) and
against each attorney.
4. Attach to your complaint copies of any documents that are important to prove your complaint. Do not file originals of the
attachments (they will not be returned to you). Do not highlight your attachments. Do not send CDs, DVDs, thumb drives,
or any solid state drive with your complaint.
5. Each complainant must file an original complaint and 6 copies of each complaint that is filed. This includes attachments.
Attachments must be attached to the original and each of the copies of the complaint. Each complaint and set of
attachments must be identical and put in the correct order. If the documents that are filed do not meet these
requirements, they will be returned to you.
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09 Jul, 2024 by Karson gray
Called to hire for representation in “open and close” small claims case and after taking my information I am told by the lady who answered the phone “he will only represent you if you pay by the hour” I asked what the hourly fee is and then immediately I’m told “the attorney isn’t interested in helping you.”
Very unprofessional.
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Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
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:
-
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.
