What are the Bankruptcy Chapters?
Most consumer debtors have two main bankruptcy chapters under the Bankruptcy Code: Chapter 13 and Chapter 7. There are, however, two other types of bankruptcy: Chapter 11 and Chapter 12. Here are the principal differences between the bankruptcy chapters. Chapter 7: Liquidation Chapter 7, also called straight bankruptcy, allows you to discharge most types of […]
When to Consider Filing Bankruptcy
In most cases, the very last thing any person wants to do is to consider filing bankruptcy. In many cases, an average person will wait two years longer than he or she should have to file bankruptcy. Don’t rearrange the deck furniture on the Titanic. Instead, realize it may be time to jump ship. You may […]
Beware of Temporary Mortgage Modifications
On December 1, 2010, Chris Dodd’s final Senate hearing featured testimony from senior Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives. These execs blame mortgage servicers for triggering the mortgage meltdown. As a bankruptcy lawyer practicing in Washington, D.C. and Virginia, I have had several clients report the following scenario to me about temporary mortgage modifications. The homeowner […]
Washington, D.C. Officials Combat Foreclosures
On October 27, 2010, Washington D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles issued a homeowner-friendly Statement of Enforcement. The statement prohibits the commencement of any foreclosure against a D.C. homeowner unless the current mortgage note holder demonstrates the note’s recordation with the District’s Recorder of Deeds. The statement was intended to combat foreclosures initiated without proper documentation. Washington, […]
Anatomy of a Foreclosure: How Foreclosure Works
Foreclosure activity in the U.S. totaled 676,535 properties in 2017, down to a 12-year low. Foreclosure activity includes default notices, auction sale notices, and bank repossessions. Many of those seeking foreclosure assistance ask how foreclosure works. If you are seeking to avoid foreclosure in Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia, you must educate yourself quickly and […]
Emergency Bankruptcy
A person may need to file an emergency bankruptcy to prevent some particular action by a creditor, like garnishment, repossession, or a foreclosure auction. In such cases, the bankruptcy court allows a bankruptcy case to commence with the filing only of the six-page voluntary petition, without the required accompanying forms and schedules. An emergency bankruptcy […]
Homeowners Association Fees in Bankruptcy
Even if you file bankruptcy and surrender your home, in some cases, your homeowners association can still pursue you for unpaid dues. In Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, homeowners associations have a “superpriority” for unpaid dues. Up until title to the home is actually transferred, you will still owe HOA or condo fees. So what […]
Stop Foreclosure in Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland
Lee Legal assists real estate agents representing sellers who are facing foreclosure. We stop foreclosure in Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland. We work with realtors to ensure a smooth sale outside of the foreclosure process. When a Seller is Facing Foreclosure Often realtors are approached by sellers who have lots of equity in their homes, […]
The Automatic Stay Immediately Stops All Creditor Activity
If you are considering filing bankruptcy in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C., you should be aware of a nifty feature of the Bankruptcy Code called the Automatic Stay. Whether you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, the Automatic Stay directs your creditors to cease all collection activities immediately or face court sanction. In short, […]