Foreclosure – Do You Need a Lawyer?

If you are behind on your mortgage payments, or already in foreclosure, you may still be deciding whether it makes sense to retain a Florida foreclosure defense attorney. Many people, especially those struggling financially, may be hesitant to speak to a lawyer out of fear of having to pay a big retainer fee or high hourly rates.

If you try to fight a foreclosure, it can be risky since the wrong decision could result in the loss of your home. Nevertheless, there are some steps you could take before speaking to a foreclosure lawyer. In some cases, someone facing foreclosure may not behind on mortgage payments, but the payment may be so high that the individual struggles each month to cobble enough funds together to cover the payment. In this scenario, you could contact your lender to see if you qualify to refinance your existing mortgage at a lower interest rate or even a mortgage modification. However, many mortgage companies will not consider a mortgage modification for an applicant who is current on their payments (creating a perverse incentive for people to get behind on their mortgage so they can qualify for a modification).

Image Source (CC BY 2.0) by fibonacciblue via flickr
Image Source (CC BY 2.0) by fibonacciblue via flickr

When You Need to Speak to an Experienced Florida Foreclosure Defense Attorney

If you have tried to get a mortgage modification independently and you have been denied, you should speak to a Florida foreclosure defense law firm ASAP. There may have been paperwork that was not filled out correctly and missing from your modification application. Lenders have strict documentation requirements that must be met before they can review a modification request.  A lawyer can review the application and assist in trying to get your modification approved.

If you were served with a complaint, you need to contact a foreclosure defense lawyer right away. Why? Because the proverbial clock starts ticking on your obligation to respond to the complaint. If you fail to respond, the attorneys for the lender can file a judgment and sell the property. An experienced foreclosure defense attorney can make sure that you meet your response requirements and can assess your case to see what defenses are available.

Speak a Foreclosure Defense Attorney for Free

The notion that you have to pay a big fee just to speak to a lawyer does not apply in the world of foreclosure. The experienced foreclosure defense attorneys at Hoffman, Larin & Agnetti, PA understand that you have enough financial troubles and need legal advice. That is why we offer free, confidential, and no-obligation consultations. We have offices in Dade County, Broward County, and two offices in Monroe County. Meet one of our experienced foreclosure defense attorneys at one of these locations or at your home and tell them what happened. We can discuss foreclosure defense and all other options, such as Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy and loan modification. If you are comfortable moving forward, our legal team will be happy to help. If you are not sure whether you want to hire a lawyer after speaking to us, you can take some time to think it over with no pressure at all.