Helping Resolve Foreclosure, My Story
I was not always a lawyer, but I have been since 2009. In Florida, we had a significant foreclosure crisis that began right about the time I started in the legal profession. One focus of my legal practice became helping those in financial crisis by providing counseling which often led to defending foreclosure cases and filing bankruptcy cases, both for individuals and small business owners. It was a big change from my previous career in the newspaper business but it was a busy and challenging time. I had this goal, to find a new career that provided me more of a sense of contribution and that would, more importantly, make the people I cared about proud. I thought that, in spite of all of the negative stereotypes about lawyers, for me the path towards the legal profession made the most sense. I decided that studying law would provide an opportunity for me to focus on finding ways to make a positive impact on more lives. Not that I didn’t enjoy what I was doing, but I think I had become bored with the routine.
After finishing law school I passed the bar exam (on the second try) and I joined a small law firm in my hometown and started working with people in the middle of the largest financial crisis of their lives. And you know what, I began seeing my impact on their lives immediately. Talk about instant gratification. My need to contribute was met almost immediately. I started seeing outstanding results, providing people with not only hope but with action plans that we executed and followed-through on that really improved their situations. I started helping people save their homes, their cars, and that resulted in saving families.
Many people don’t know what to do or what options are available when they find their life spiraling out of control, like a race car spinning towards the wall, and they often don’t even know how to brace for impact. The one thing I found common in almost all of my clients was that they typically know, instinctively, that the option to do nothing, and not even try to get a better result and just let the bank foreclose, is not an option. Since then I have helped hundreds of people save their home or get rid of their home without any liability for a deficiency, or file bankruptcy and get a fresh financial start.
Since those early days the volume of new case filings has receded and the law has evolved, but what hasn’t changed is that often when people are faced with challenging financial times, their home is their #1 priority. The biggest issue I find is that people are completely unprepared to deal with managing the process of falling behind on the mortgage payments and what debt payments to make a priority and if necessary which ones to let go of first.
From most important to least important here is my hierarchy. But first, remember that
* Food — Water — Shelter * These are essential to your survival. After those are handled, then these items get attention.
1 — Loans secured by property you need to keep. Usually the house and car (shelter).
2 — Government obligations such as back taxes, student loans, etc. While these are important, having a place to live, and the means to travel to and from work, will help make sure that you have the ability to pay Uncle Sam.
3 — Unsecured debts. Signature loans, credits cards, or any other amount borrowed that is not secured by collateral These creditors can obtain a money judgment but nothing more, that is why I put them last.
My goal here is to share with you my experiences so you will understand that there are people out there who can help you through difficult times, and there are also people who will need your help and you can share the information that you are learning with them and provide them with information that could make a huge difference in their lives.
Thank you for taking the time to read my words and please check back here for more in the future.
Please check out my websites for more information.
www.easychapter7.com | www.protennislaw.com | www.dennisonlawpa.com |www.propertydamage.co |