Tag Archives: veterans

Filing a hardship letter to lenders

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Blick Law

Part of the loan modification process is filing ones hardship. When applying for a loan modification the lender will require the filing of a hardship letter as a written explanation as to why and what was the cause for the homeowner to fall behind on making mortgage payments and assisting to prevent a foreclosure from proceeding.

A hardship letter provides an explanation to the lender detailing the current issues that are affecting the homeowner’s ability to meet their financial responsibilities. It needs to properly cover all of the issues in a manner which is clear, concise and to the point.

This can be accomplished with the help of an experienced real estate attorney who will review the hardship letter, along with the any other documents required for consideration, and can make any necessary suggestions to the documentation, regarding content, so it is efficient for the lender to approve.

Here is the basic information that must be provided in a hardship letter to the lender:

  1. Name, address, phone number and account number.
  2. State the financial assistance/ plan you are seeking.
  3. Describe your financial hardship. What were the causes that lead to falling behind in one’s mortgage payments? This is an outlined biography of your current “life” issues.
  4. Include life circumstances which may have altered and added to your hardship such as: illness, loss of job, reduced income, failed business, job relocation, death, death of spouse, divorce, military separation, military duty, reduced income, medical bills, property damage and alike.

*Remember that the hardship letter is only the beginning of the loan modification process. It is essential in determining assistance for you if you are trying to avoid the foreclosure of your home.

If you are looking to STOP a foreclosure and stay in your home, contact Blick law firm and speak with an experienced foreclosure defense attorney as soon as possible. Your hardship letter will be reviewed, and any necessary changes, additions and/or suggestions can be provided to aid you through the daunting loan modification process.

Call today to receive your free case evaluation at 813-931-0840. Think quick, call Blick!

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What is foreclosure defense?

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Blick Law

Stop your home from going into foreclosure! There is a way out with Blick Law Firm’s expert legal assistance. Here at our firm, we will inform you of the options you have when dealing with a foreclosure.

Some valid defenses for your case may be:

1. Ownership.  Mortgages are sold every day.  The bank suing must prove that the original mortgage was properly sold, transferred or assigned and that it is the rightful owner of the original note.

2.  Written Notice.  Proper written notice of a default and a 30-day opportunity to cure before filing a foreclosure lawsuit must be received by the homeowner.

3.  The amount owed.  Banks routinely miscalculate the amounts owed on a note and mortgage.

You do not have to lose your home and face the negative effects of a bad credit report because of your circumstance. Contact our office and talk with our foreclosure defense attorneytoday.

As an expert in foreclosure defense we will strive to prevent foreclosure with loan modification or short sale or other real estate services. When dealing with a foreclosure, you are only allotted a certain amount of days to answer the lawsuit. If you do not respond, you not be able to get a hearing to be properly represented. With those deadlines in mind, it is important that you contact a foreclosure lawyer as soon as possible. If you want to have any chance in saving your home, contact Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840.

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What do I do if I am in an accident?

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Blick Law

We don’t like to think about automobile accidents, but they are part of reality, and everyone will probably be involved in at least one, maybe more, in their lifetime.  When you are involved in an auto accident, there are steps that need to be taken to properly file a report and avoid penalties for not following Florida law.

First when involved in an auto accident move your vehicle in such a manner that it doesn’t obstruct traffic.  Ask all parties involved if there are any injuries and call the police to file a report.

Many may ask:  “Must I call the police?”  Accidents involving an injury or death, a hit-and-run or intoxicated driver or property damage that appears to be over $500 need to be reported immediately to law enforcement.

*Make sure you have your driver’s license, registration and insurance information available when the officer arrives on the scene.

After the police arrive at the scene exchange information with all drivers of vehicles involved and take pictures of the property damages for future evidence, possibly in court.

* However, if a crash report hasn’t been filed by law enforcement, then you’ll need to do so within 10 days of the accident.

Suppose you are the only party involved in an accident.  Should you hit an unoccupied vehicle, a light pole or some other type of property, you are required to notify the owner.  If you cannot locate the owner, then attach a note to the damaged vehicle or property, including your name, address and license plate number.  Again, take photos and report the accident to law enforcement right away.

The state of Florida is serious about behavior following an accident.  Failure to follow proper procedures could result in license suspension, criminal charges or other penalties.

If you have recently been involved in accident, you will want an experienced and very knowledgeable personal injury attorney as your advocate.  Attorney, Michael C. Blickensderfer has more than 25 years legal experience and will be happy to offer a free case evaluation regarding your potential personal injury claim. Call Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840.

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How long will a bankruptcy remain on my credit report?

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Blick Law

According to The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 6 U.S.C. Section 605, law states that credit reporting agencies may not report a bankruptcy case on a person’s credit report after ten years from the date the bankruptcy case is filed.  The larger credit reporting agencies belong to an organization called the Associated Credit Bureaus. The policy of the Associated Credit Bureau tries to remove Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 cases from the credit report after seven years to encourage debtors to file under these chapters. The bankruptcy court has no influence over these reporting policies.

Bankruptcy filers who would like to rebuild their credit are justifiably concerned about how long a bankruptcy can appear on their credit report. It is still possible to build a positive credit report even with a bankruptcy on your record, so long as you act responsibly. If you’ve ever received credit card offers before, you are likely to receive them again after your bankruptcy.  If your goal is to build good credit, it’s worth your while to consider the post-bankruptcy card offers that you receive with an eye toward building a record of consistently and fully repaying an open line of credit each month.

The Federal Trade Commission has a website that allows consumers a free credit report from the three major credit reporting companies:  https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp.  Attorney, Michael Blickensderfer encourages all consumers to check their reports on a regular basis to ensure they do not contain any false information.  Should you find anything questionable, report it to the credit agency immediately.  If they are not willing to help you resolve this issue, call a Tampa bankruptcy attorney today at 813-931-0840.

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Driving with a suspended license in Florida

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Blick Law

Effective July 2008, Florida Statutes 322.24 went into effect concerning whether certain offenses for driving while license is cancelled, suspended or revoked are misdemeanors or felonies.

If a driver whose license or driving privilege is cancelled, suspended or revoked and has knowledge of his or her cancellation, they understand they are committing a criminal traffic offense. The following charges are possible:  (1) First conviction is a second degree misdemeanor; (2) Second conviction is a first degree misdemeanor; (3) Third, or subsequent conviction, is a third degree felony and possible jail time may have to be served.

If a driver whose license or driving privilege is cancelled, suspended or revoked and has no knowledge of his or her cancellation, they understand they are committing a non-criminal traffic infraction, unless he or she is a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO).

*If a driver whose license or driving privileges is revoked as a Habitual Traffic Offender , they are guilty of a third degree felony.

The penalty of driving with your license suspended, whether you have knowledge or not, holds serious consequence(s).

Hiring a Criminal Defense attorney may be beneficial for you. An attorney helps you check your record and assists you in sorting out your license issue(s) to get you back on the road as soon as possible. Contact Blick Law Firm today if you find you have been charged due to driving with a cancelled, suspended or revoked license in Florida.

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Blick Law Firm discusses driving on suspended license

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Blick Law

Thank you for watching Minute with Mike, free legal advice answered by attorney Michael C. Blickensderfer every Wednesday at Noon.

Today’s topic: Driving with a suspended license. Driving with a suspended license has severe consequences such as traffic ticket, 1st and/or 2nd degree Misdemeanor, Felony and possible jail time. Reasons that you can get your license suspended: child support delinquency; Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO); Violation resulting in death or personal injury; failure to comply with traffic summons or pay fines; giving false information on a license application; getting too many points; refusing to comply with state laws; refusing a blood alcohol test; lacking Florida Insurance; ignoring your traffic tickets and getting a DUI.

There are many other reasons that you may have your license revoked or suspended. Hiring a Criminal Defense attorney may be beneficial for you. An attorney helps you check your record and assists you in sorting out your license issue(s) to get you back on the road as soon as possible.

Blick law Firm is a local Tampa Bay legal firm specializing in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy, personal injury, criminal and real estate law all across the state of Florida.

The owner, Michael C. Blickensderfer has 25 years legal experience in Florida, New York and New Jersey. Blick Law Firms practice areas include criminal law, DUI/ Traffic, real estate transactions, loan modifications, short sales, foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, title insurance and real estate litigation.

We also serve clients in personal injury, including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls premises liability, dog bites, marine and aviation accidents and wrongful death.

For further information regarding our legal services please visit our website at www.blicklawfirm.com. Former prosecutor, former Marine. Think quick, call Blick! 813-931-0840.

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