Defend Yourself Against South Florida Foreclosure

Hollywood, Florida defense attorney Mary Jo Rivero can help you keep your home with a strong and effective foreclosure defense strategy in these difficult financial times.

Once upon a time, bank foreclosure on a private property was an almost unthinkable outcome to home ownership in Florida. In recent years, however, the tides have turned. A real estate market boom followed by an unprecedented bust, record unemployment and bad economy have left many Broward County homeowners vulnerable to foreclosure.

Hollywood-based lawyer Mary Jo Rivero understands how honest and hard-working individuals and families find themselves in desperate situations. If you're at risk of losing your home, don't delay seeking the legal representation you need to save your home. Call Mary Jo Rivero at 1-888-695-2877 to schedule a free consultation about your foreclosure defense.

As a South Florida homeowner, you have rights and obligations when your home is threatened by foreclosure. When you fail to make your mortgage payments for whatever reason, the bank that holds your mortgage will begin foreclosure proceedings. That doesn't mean you'll instantly lose your home, however. Specific foreclosure guidelines are required by law, many of which give you the opportunity to either stop or delay the bank action. Foreclosure expert Mary Jo Rivero can guide you through this process and build your best defense against losing your home.

When you bought your home, you entered into an agreement with a bank when you signed a note, which is basically a promise that you will make regular, usually monthly, payments toward the principal, interest and applicable taxes for your property. The bank holds a mortgage, which gives it the legal right to reclaim the property if you don't live up to the terms of your note.

When a mortgage holder begins foreclosure proceedings, it must file a lis pendes – or notice of impending legal action – with the courts. Then you will be served with a notice of the complaint against you, usually by an officer of the sheriff's department. Once you receive the notice of the complaint, you have 20 days to reply – and in many cases it's in your best interest to issue an answer, even if the courts eventually reject it. Attorney Mary Jo Rivero examines the facts of her clients' complaints and assists crafting the answer in a way that sets the tone for the remainder of the foreclosure defense. If you receive a complaint regarding impending foreclosure action, call 1-888-695-2877 immediately so that Mary Jo Rivero can begin helping you.

After an answer is filed, a preliminary hearing will be filed. In many cases, it will take some time for this hearing to be scheduled – a delay that can work to the advantage of the homeowner. You can use that time to try to become current with your loan or arrange another settlement – such as a short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure – that will have a more favorable outcome to your credit ranking than a foreclosure would.

Following the preliminary hearing – or in place of it should no answer be filed – a summary judgment hearing will be filed within 45 days. That hearing will determine the next course of action – either a judge will allow the mortgage holder to go forward with the foreclosure or, if your answer proves valid, you will be granted additional time to work out the details. The actual foreclosure takes place approximately 75 days after the summary judgment is issued.

If you're facing the loss of your South Florida or Broward County home through a foreclosure, you should be aware of your rights and have a qualified lawyer on your side. Attorney Mary Jo Rivero has a strong record in successful foreclosure defense cases. Call 1-800-649-3757 today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation with her.

• Bankruptcy Law
• Property Liquidation
• Foreclosure Defense
• Family Law
• Wills & Estate Planning
• Probate & Estate Administration