SOUTH FLORIDA DEBT SETTLEMENT ATTORNEYS
PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS AFTER A FORECLOSURE SALE
Unlike many states, in Florida if you are sued for a deficiency balance (the difference between what your home sold for in foreclosure auction or short sale versus what the final judgment amount stated you owed) borrowers and homeowners have rights. The fact that a foreclosure or short sale ended with a judgment against you, does not necessarily mean you are personally liable for the debt. On July 1, 2013, the Florida legislature passed HB 87 which limits the amounts the bank can collect against the homeowner as well as places strict time limits for the bank to bring a lawsuit.
Under HB 87, the bank has one year, if the foreclosure sale took place after July 1, 2013, to file a suit against you. If the sale took place before the law was passed, then the deadline was July 1, 2014.
However, not ALL deficiency suits fall under this umbrella. The balance or deficiency has to be a result of a foreclosure auction OR short sale.
If served with a suit, or receiving collection notices, then you need to act quickly. By hiring an attorney, we can defend the action and contest the lenders valuation. If defenses are filed on behalf of the homeowner, then the court will determine if the bank has provided sufficient evidence of value and can move the case forward.
If worst case scenario the debt is valid, then it can still be negotiated, often for pennies on the dollar, and dismissed.
At the Law Offices of Jacqueline A. Salcines, P.A., our lead attorney brings extensive knowledge and expertise with these deficiency collection matters and lawsuits, particularly with Dyck O’Neal, as well as in the field of negotiating and settling debt for pennies on the dollar. We employ market knowledge, extensive litigation experience, contract and statutory knowledge, and take proactive and calculated measures to protect our clients. Our knowhow in debt settlement and oral and written contracts as well as negotiating them when they don’t go as planned, is what sets us apart.
With prompt intervention to resolve disputes amicably, without the need to litigate, we are here to get debt settled, without the necessity of filing for bankruptcy.
With more than 16 years experience, attorney Jacqueline Salcines has been practicing law with the need of her clients first. Upon calling the firm you get the feel of how the client is our first priority. We are here to help you with your purchase or sale and do so with hands-on legal experience.
Jacqueline Salcines, Esq. has been an accountant for over 20 years and an attorney for over 15 years. She brings her knowledge and experience to every real estate transaction. Let us go to work for you!
Main office 305 | 669 | 5280. Or email the attorney directly: J.Salcines@Salcineslaw.com
TRUST | COMMITMENT | RESULTS
Jacqueline A. Salcines
JACQUELINE A. SALCINES, ESQ.
706 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
SECOND FLOOR
CORAL GABLES, FL 33146
TEL. 305 669 5280
DIRECT EMAIL: J.SALCINES@SALCINESLAW.COM