Help for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure in WA State - Washington Foreclosure Fairness Act (FFA)

Have you heard about the Washington Foreclosure Fairness Act (FFA)?

If you are a homeowner facing foreclosure on your home in Washington State you may be able to benefit from the Washington Foreclosure Fairness Act or FFA.

The FFA is a Washington State specific legislative Act which provides homeowners facing foreclosure an alternative to foreclosure, short sale or mortgage modification called mortgage mediation.

Included in your "Notice of Pre-Foreclosure Options" letter from your mortgage lender is an option to request a face to face meeting with your mortgage lender or bank to discuss your mortgage foreclosure situation.

The purpose of meeting with your lender is to discuss options for mortgage modification prior to going to mediation. During this process the homeowner can request a mortgage mediation. You cannot request a mortgage mediation on your own, it has to be requested by a HUD Counselor or an attorney. When mortgage mediation is requested it puts a stop to the foreclosure process pending the outcome of the mediation.

When you receive the "Notice of Pre-Foreclosure Options" you have 30 days to respond and request mortgage mediation. If you don't respond within the 30 day window the mortgage holder can proceed and issue a "Notice of Default" which is the next step in the foreclosure process.

The third step in the foreclosure process is the "Notice of Trustee Sale" which can be issued any time 30 days after the "Notice of Default."

Once the "Notice of Trustee Sale" is issued the homeowner forfeits any right to request a mortgage mediation and the home will proceed to foreclosure.

Under the current Washinton Foreclosure Fairness Act - FFA when a mortgage mediation is requested the foreclosure process is stopped until the lender meets with you, your attorney and the mediator. The mediator is usually an attorney or retired judge but may be a mediator approved by the Department of Commerce.

At the mediation the lender will be represented by an attorney but must have a representative of the mortgage company either present or available by phone with the authority to authorize a mortgage modification or other solution. The homeowner is represented by their attorney at the mediation.

The goal of the mediation is to work out a loan modification, timeline for a short sale or other possible alternatives to foreclosure. You do not have to commit to any of the options prior to the mediation and may decide which option works best for you based on the outcome of the mediation.

The mortgage lender is required to be represented at the mediation in order to proceed with foreclosure on your home.

Ten days prior to the mediation both the homeowner and mortgage lender are required to provide certain documentation.

If you are a Washington state resident facing foreclosure on your home and you are wanting to modify your mortgage with your lender and remain in your home then mortgage mediation may be an effective solution for you.

If you have questions regarding the mortgage mediation process and whether or not it is a viable solution for you, contact Advantage Legal Group.

Advantage Legal Group provides Foreclosure Defense Services in Washington State including Mortgage Mediation, Mortgage Modification, Short Sales and Bankruptcy.

Working with an Attorney that is also a licensed real estate broker can provide unique advantages during a foreclosure mediation negotiation or negotiating a short sale with a mortgage lender.

Contact Advantage Legal Group to learn more about the Washington state Foreclosure Fairness Act (FFA) and how this law may benefit you in your mortgage mediation.

Visit: http://www.advantagelegalgroup.com/ or call 425-452-9797

View the original article here

Why You Must Seek Out Legal Assistance When Facing Court

When facing a legal trial or battle, times can get a little rough, and without the right people surrounding you, you could end up in a more negative situation. It's essential that you seek our professional legal assistance as soon as possible, so that you can regain control of your situation, and start to make things better for yourself. Many people can get themselves into a depressive and low state when it comes to fighting a legal battle, and whilst that's completely understandable, you shouldn't stop trying to be positive. The confidence can be put back into you when hearing the right things from a professional lawyer, but without that help, it can be tough for you to regain that self motivation and confidence, as other people won't know how to act around you. Knowing you can make sentence or fine easier on yourself is something that can really help you drive your case forward, and you'll only ever hear that from a fully trained lawyer.

A good lawyer will act in certain ways when you first meet them. They will sit you down in their office when you meet them, and talk through your case with you, leaving no details out, and no stone unturned. They will show raw emotion, and feel things with you when you explain them. See a good lawyer becomes part of his or her work, they feel the brunt of what their clients are feeling, so that they can develop a passion and integrity to get the desired results of their client. They want to make their clients feel at ease in their presence, like they could tell them anything, and something would be done about it. If you seek out a lawyer and they don't make you feel this way, you should go elsewhere, as they most likely don't see themselves as part of their work, and it's just a 9-5 day job for them. You can't risk your case going to a law office like that, as you are dealing with your life here, not just any old case.

So when searching for your lawyer, make sure you take certain things into considerations, as you most likely won't get a second shot in court. You will want to give your everything when you first go into the court room, so that you stand the highest chance of winning your case, and seeing the outcome you desire from it. Courts can be scary places, and without a proper legal professional attorney next to you, you can feel very alone, and powerless, don't let yourself feel that way, grab everything you can to stand a chance of winning in the court room, so that you have the power to win your case.

One law partnership that offers both drink driving lawyers/traffic lawyer and has a great reputation for winning cases is Dribbin & Brown. Dribbin & Brown have the necessary experience and expertise to help you win your case, and feel confident when walking into the court room.

To avoid penalties for traffic or drink driving offences, you would need a drink driving lawyers. You need to be able to prove the charge is a mistake. For people who need their drivers licence to work, they may be able to retain it after a drink driving charge with a traffic lawyer.

View the original article here

Defending Those Facing The Prospect of Becoming Disqualified Company Directors

A company which looses a director to disqualification can find itself in a difficult situation.

If the case is proven he or she will no longer be able to act as a company director, have any influence over the affairs of the business. Also the former director will not be able to be appoint a 'shadow' to run the company for them. And while they can still remain in business as a sole trader or in a partnership they can longer enjoy the tax breaks and concessions associated with running a limited liability.

It should also not be forgotten that in addition to these handicaps for disqualified company directors there is also the very real prospect of loss of reputation. Those who have been banned from being a director appear on the Disqualified Directors Register. They are forbidden also to become a charity trustee, or work as an insolvency practitioner.

There are fines and imprisonment for those classed as disqualified as company directors who continue their previous role. And those involved in the companies which allow them to contravene any bans will also face action.

Those facing becoming disqualified directors have every right to put up their own defence to prevent the ban being put in force. However, they are best advised to consult with solicitors who specialise in advising on and defending such cases.

Following discussions between the solicitor and client it will be determined whether there is a defence against the Directors Disqualification Order. Any defence is made in court, documented as a 'Summary of Truth' is made under oath. Others may also be asked to speak for the defence and the lawyer will helpful in co-ordinating this.

Sometimes people facing the prospect of being declared disqualified company directors may not have a defence. However, the solicitor may well be able discover there is a case for persuading the court there are mitigating circumstances. While proof of mitigating circumstances will not prevent directors from becoming barred, it may well reduce the period of time that has to be spent as a disqualified director. This is especially important, as, depending on circumstances, bans can last in excess of 10 years.

Those facing the unenviable prospect of becoming disqualified directors should seek legal assistance from specialist solicitors as quickly as possible. If your local solicitors haven't got sufficient expertise in this area of law, there are a number of legal practices who do specialise in providing legal representation for disqualified directors and who can deal with your case via e-mail and phone and sometimes Skype.

If you need a Solicitor to help you deal with a Disqualified Directors  Order then contact Bonallack & Bishop. They are a firm of lawyers who often act for disqualified company directors. Senior Partner Tim Bishop sees himself as a businessman who owns a law firm.

View the original article here