Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

I am going through a foreclosure process right now and have been receiving letters to appear before court for motion hearings. I have not attended the first one and just received the letter for the second hearing. I was told that there will be several hearings before the foreclosure is finalized and do not need to attend the hearings myself. Is it really true or should I be attending the hearings or even get a lawyer at this time. I do not want any surprises later and I just want to walk away from the condo without the deficiency judgement. There is a short sale offer pending with bank at this time and waiting on the bank to respond. This was the only offer on the place over six month of short sale listing. How will this affect the foreclosure process if the bank accepts the offer?


Asked on 5/21/10, 8:12 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

The foreclosure attorney may have NO clue about the short sale, and the workout people at the bank may have no clue about the foreclosure -- the way things are one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. But you know what a short sale is -- the price won't even cover the mortgage and the lender is being asked to take a haircut, and that decision may take time. And the case could go to judgment before the lender ok's the short sale, which would complicate things. It saves money not to hire an attorney to fight a foreclosure if you have given up on the situation, but you're relying on the foreclosure attorney to have gotten the facts straight from the lender, including the right amount owed, interest calculations, tax and insurance escrow considerations.... The lender already incurred court costs and attorney fees.... There are a lot of balls in the air. The motions should specify what is going on, and if one is for a default judgment, not only would you want to make sure the amounts are correct but also that the short sale isn't jeopardized. You could go to court yourself but that's a terrible risk even if courts do take care when people represent themselves. I have to recommend you get counsel but those are some things to think about. Hope it helps.

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Answered on 5/25/10, 11:07 am
Namit Bammi Schwartz + Sciara, P.C.

Any defendant in a foreclosure lawsuit would be well advised to retain counsel in order to protect, or at least monitor the proceedings, and possibly negotiate short sale, deed in lieu, etc. Please contact me if you have any further questions.

Regards.

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Answered on 5/25/10, 12:27 pm
Elfreda Dockery Law Office of Elfreda Dockery

my advise is to hire an attorney to represent you in court, because the mere fact that you are trying to sell the house does not mean the bank will stop the foreclosure to allow you to do so. you should make every effort to prevent a judgment being entered against you. if you have any questions, i can be reached at 312-372-5600.

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Answered on 5/26/10, 8:41 am


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