I'm so scared. Please help us.

[Bluesplayer]

I'm 59 and disabled and my wife is 47 and has MS. I think we're getting foreclosed but I'm not sure. I don't understand what is going on. I'm afraid we're going to lose our home, even tho it's all paid for - no mortgage. Property taxes maybe, but it's not the county, its some lawyers. We cant afford an attorney. Please help.

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Call Legal Aid in your area immediately. Do not delay.

[SCantiGOP]

21. Yes to Legal Aid

My wife worked for them for 10 years. If they can't help you because of income guidelines, they will likely refer you to lawyers who may do the work without charge. My wife has a private practice now specializing in creditor harassment, avoiding foreclosure, and bankruptcy. It if nauseating the length these people will go to harass and victimize people who are having financial difficulties. Good luck to you.

[Chan790]

2. What state?

That's the first step. There is almost certainly an organization in your state or community that helps people in these situations free-of-charge/for-whatever-you-can-afford-to-pay that will be familiar with your local laws and has experience handling these situations. They probably will have a better grasp of what is going on as well and know who these lawyers are.

[Bluesplayer]

5. thanks

thank you all. we're in ohio. The worst part is that i don't feel like my brain is working right and that I'm unsure about what to do. I'll try legal aid.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Ok....try this...deep breath first...then:

First , who is the company trying this?
2nd, what state do you live in? That is important because in some states foreclosures have to go thru the courts.
3rd..if your mortgage IS paid off, go talk to the local title insurance company, and the county assessor, and let them know you need help.
I bet you can point out to the country assessor that your title/mortgage had been passed around among several companies,
NONE of whom paid the county any recording fee...see if your assessor can find out for sure. That will give him some skin in the game.
Lastly, most lawyers will give free consultatations, so no charge to talk to one who is hopefully familiar with foreclosure law.
Lots of times lawyers will take a case if they think they can sue the mortgage servicer and win.

Also, go here and read up on how common this trick is by mortgage companies..there should be some resources that will help you.
http://4closurefraud.org/

And...are you in a state where Occupy has been active in helping fight foreclosures????

[CurtEastPoint]

4. This is why I will never leave DU. Caring, kind, smart people. Thank you all for supplying details

The first thought I had was Legal Aid. You all gave great info.
I hope it helps our person in need.

[handmade34]

6. don't give up

keep asking for help until you get it... legal aid, the town, the county clerk, social services, anyone that may have information..

I have no specific advice but have been in situations that don't make sense and the only thing that kept me going was contact with people that cared

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. Hey Bluesplayer, Contact OneGrassRoot here on DU -- here is a link for you

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=174406

He can maybe help with the Wishadoo program that he runs.


Good Luck and Best wishes that you get this resolved.

[Kali]

8. like someone above said, breathe

it is probably after hours there and night can be more anxiety provoking than day so try to do something to calm down. You got a few good leads here that you can tackle in the morning. In all likelihood things will work out.

Slow down and make some lists of the kinds of information you have or might need and try to keep things somewhat handy and organized. There are resources out there to help, but it does take some work and persistence most of the time to get what you need. And that is made all the more difficult with the panic and anxiety. Hang in there and stay in contact with us. If you are disabled you know some of the routine, I am sure. You will be able to work this.

[a la izquierda]

9. I am in the process of buying...

And I've been on the HUD website. If you have Internet, go to hud.gov
Good luck.

[rug]

10. Start here.

http://www.savethedream.ohio.gov/

Then check with your local county court. All foreclosure actions must go through there. There has been such an avalanche of foreclosures that most county courts have a mortgage diversion program and referrals for assistance.

Good luck!

[applegrove]

11. Call your local Occupy group and find out if they have lawyers who they work with pro bono. Vibes

[OhioChick]

12. Not sure where you're located in Ohio

You may want to contact Marcy Kaptur regardless if she's your Congresswoman, or not.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/11/02/ohio-dem-backs-call-to-occupy-foreclosures/

Perhaps she can offer you some advice, or at least point you in the right direction.

I wish you the best.

[nytemare]

13. I would check your county property appraiser site.

Most have a feature where you can look up the address, and see tax details, lien holder information, etc. You should be able to see there if perhaps the county may have sold a tax lien certificate to anybody, which may be the case. I would also recommend calling the property appraiser, so you can get an accurate picture of what is going on.

Did you receive a letter from somebody claiming to have a lien certificate?

I think a call to your property appraiser should help to find out where you stand, if you have back taxes due, etc.

Please keep us posted. All my best wishes to you.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

14. Solidarity with you brother,

and your wife. Been through similar.

If your house is paid for, then you have one HUGE hurdle out of the way. If its back taxes, you can negotiate that with em. Good advice posted up above too. Stay calm and remember nothing happens overnight, or over weekends (except possibly being served court papers.....lay low to be safe, don't answer the door: establish protocols with friendlies).

There is (usually) a process that is negotiable between calm minds that gets you through each day dealing with the authorities, and as long as you are in communication you can always stall for more days..... meanwhile you and your advisers work out the solution via counter offer. Be polite and professional while you figure out a counter strategy.

Just remember, being humble and begging only empowers them: don't grovel and promise things that you can't afford: One fuck up and they move in for the kill. Best of luck

[hopemountain]

15. bassplayer - if your fear

is in response to a letter or a phone call (similar to one i received last fall - they even had my social security number!!!) - it is very likely a scam - call your local legal aid. they helped me. i gave them all of the information and they handled it for me.

good luck.

[ConcernedCanuk]

16. If it's $$ your worried about - consider a reverse mortgage

.
.
.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_mortgage

"A reverse mortgage is a form of equity release (or lifetime mortgage). It is a loan available to home owners or home buyers, enabling them to access a portion of the subject home's equity. The home owners can draw the mortgage principal in a lump sum, by receiving monthly payments over a specified term or over their (joint) lifetimes, as a revolving line of credit, or some combination thereof."

more at link

CC

[Incitatus]

17. some lawyers?

You say own your house. If it was a tax issue, I would expect a notice from the government not some "lawyer"


This sounds like someone might be trying to scam you.

[Myrina]

20. ^^ My thought exactly.

n/t

[Bluesplayer]

18. thanks

Called legal aid today. It took 6 calls at 16 minutes each, but I finally got through. My income is too high to qualify for their services!! LOL...

I'll try a regular lawyer.

Thanks again for the kindnesses....

[nytemare]

22. I would be sure to contact the property appraiser.

Did you receive a letter from someone claiming that they have a property tax lien, and they are demanding payment?

To confirm if it is legit, the property appraiser is the best bet.

Best of luck to you.

[marzipanni]

19. NOLO Law for All is a really good website that an elder law lawyer I know recommends-

It has a little form to fill out to get advice, or find a lawyer.

Good luck!


http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/types-property-liens.html

[Earth_First]

23. Is there a chapter of Take Back the Land in your area?

Find out and contact them ASAP!

They will help in more ways than you'll know!

Good luck!

Let me know I have a few other orgs that may be able to help...

[Arugula Latte]

24. This might be one resource to explore: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

They might be able to hook you up with a free mortgage counselor:

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/mortgagehelp/

First thing’s first: There is free foreclosure help. If anyone tries to charge you in advance for help or guarantees that they can stop your foreclosure, they’re not legitimate.

If you’re behind on your mortgage, or having a hard time making payments, we want to get you in touch with a HUD-approved housing counselor — they’ve been sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Your counselor can develop a tailored plan of action for your situation and help you work with your mortgage company. They’re experienced in all of the available programs and a variety of financial situations. They can help you organize your finances, understand your mortgage options, and find a solution that works for you.
Find a counselor
Housing counselors

Search HUD’s housing counselor list by location and services.

[phone]

Call HUD, enter your ZIP code and they’ll refer you to a counselor near you.

State agencies

Housing Finance Agencies listed by state.

Submit a complaint
Submitting a complaint won’t automatically stop or delay foreclosure, but we will forward your issue to the company to get an answer about what they’re doing or going to do about your case. We also publish which companies get the most complaints, and about which types of problems people are having with them.

Submit a complaint
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