Case Law Update

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Roman v. Wells Fargo , Case No. 5D13-2479 (5th DCA 8/1/14) Fact that borrower does not receive notice is not a material issue of fact.   Express language of mortgage only required bank to mail notice, not that borrower receive. 

Wagner v. BOA , Case No. 2D12-6131 (2d DCA 7/18/14)   No evidence to support damages for property inspections and costs/fees reversed.  Damages must be supported by competent, substantial evidence.  Inspections not included in payment history and affidavit not sufficient for fees and costs when the Defendant is entitled to a  evidentiary hearing thereon.

Lafrance v. US Bank , Case No. 4D13-102; 2014 Fla. App. Lexis 10526 (4th DCA 7/9/14)   An undated endorsement fails to support Plaintiff’s standing on the date of filing if not sworn in complaint, affidavit or with testimony.  None of the affidavits filed assert that Plaintiff was owner or holder at the time the complaint was filed and SJ reversed and unendorsed copy was attached to complaint.

Olivera v. BOA, Case No. 2D13-629 (2d DCA 7/11/14)   Proper party with standing is holder of the note and mortgage or holder’s representation and must be established at time of filing.  Holder is a person in possession payable to bearer or person id’d in possession.   SJ denied when affidavit didn’t establish when endorsements were made or when Plaintiff or predecessor became holder and the assignment post-dated complaint.

Ryan v. Wells Fargo , Case No. 4D13-2155 (4th DCA 7/23/14)  At trial, Bank offered original note with no endorsement although a copy of the Note with an endorsement had been filed in the Court file 2 yrs after filing and witness did not know if Bank owned loan upon filing, so Plaintiff lacked standing and case dismissed.

Boyd v. Wells Fargo , Case No. 4D13-208 (4th DCA 8/6/14) FJ reversed without documentation to establish Plaintiff’s standing at the time of filing of complaint.

Arcilia v. BAC , Case No. 2D13-2366 (2d DCA 8/6/14)  1.540 motion for relief from FJ for a mistake, inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect must be filed within 1 year and cannot be granted without opposing party opportunity to be heard at an evidentiary hearing.

Gann v. BAC, Case No. 2D12-6271 (2d DCA 8/15/14)   Count 1 of Complaint for FCCPA dismissed in error by going beyond the 4 corners.  FCCPA applies to debt collectors and any person (including banks collecting a mortgage loan).  ot be granted without opposing party opportunity to be heard at an evidentiary hearing.

Iberia v. RHN Invs, Ltd , Case No. 4D14-1330 (4th DCA 7/30/14)   Borrower paid off the debt but did not have an affirmative claim for relief when Plaintiff filed its voluntary dismissal.  Court loses jurisdiction to determine attorney’s fees upon VD.

Mathews v. Branch Banking , Case No. 2D13-4065; 2014 Fla. App. Lexis 8629; 39 Fla. L. Weekly D 1199; 2014 WL 2536831 (2nd DCA 6/6/14)   After sale and disbursement, Clerk holds surplus funds for 60 days pending order.  A subordinate lienholder must file its claim within 60 days of the sale to claim surplus funds, filing an answer and AD prior not sufficient.   45.031(7)(b) is clear and unambiguous requiring any person claiming a right “must file a claim.”

Pineda v. Wells Fargo , Case No. 3D13-2968 (3d DCA 7/23/14) Fla. State 45.032(2) creates rebuttable presumption that property owner (Defendant) receives all surplus funds after payment of subordinate lienholders who have timely filed a claim.   There was no basis for third-party purchaser to share in the surplus, even if they wanted to apply toward 1st mortgage debt.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761             Phone: (727) 410-2705;   email: calh@gate.net

Never Forget

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Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761             Phone: (727) 410-2705;   email: calh@gate.net

Summary Judgment of Debt Collector Reversed

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Foreclosue Defence Lawyer

The Sixth Circuit reversed an award of summary judgment in favor of a debt collector, where the debtor argued the law firm a failed to verify the disputed debt, as required by the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692, et seq. (“FDCPA”).

By failing to properly validate the debt , the Court held that the Firm violated §1692g(b).

The Court granted Summary Judgment to the Debtor.

http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/14a0153p-06.pdf

 

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761             Phone: (727) 410-2705;   email: calh@gate.net

 

Ocwen $2 Billion Principal Reduction Settlement

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In December, 2014, Ocwen Financial Corporation and Ocwen Loan Servicing along with Litton Home Servicing and Homeward Residential Holdings (previously known as American Home Mortgage Servicing or AHMSI)  entered into a consent order with 49 States and the District of Columbia to provide $2 billion in principal reduction to underwater borrowers and provide $125 million to foreclosure victims as a result of Ocwen’s systemic misconduct at every stage of the mortgage servicing process.  If they think you qualify for a cut a notice package has been mailed to you. http://www.ncbrc.org/blog/2014/07/10/claim-forms-available-in-ocwen-settlement/

How to apply:   https://nationalocwensettlement.com/

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/claim-forms-for-the-ocwen-settlement-available-now/

Where to apply:

https://nationalocwensettlement.com/mainpage/ClaimForm.aspx

National Ocwen Settlement Administrator with questions at 1-866-783-5382, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Central Time

Claim forms submitted by mail must be postmarked by September 15, 2014.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761             Phone: (727) 410-2705;   email: calh@gate.net

 

Agile Assur Group, Ltd v Palmer

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Agile Assur. Group, Ltd. v. Palmer, — So. 3d —-, 2014 WL 2151971 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014).
Contracts must be read in their entirety, and doing so can require the word “may” be  interpreted as mandatory instead of permissive. A contract clause may require the contract not be interpreted against its drafter, and such provision is given effect.
 This  is the first case in Florida to require that ambiguities in a contract be interpreted neutrally (meaning not against the drafter of the contract) even if the drafter created the ambiguous contract. This is bad news for the Defendant.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761             Phone: (727) 410-2705;   email: calh@gate.net

SCRA and Credit Reporting Errors

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The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides protection for  active duty military and their families and  also after they return home.

Members may not realize that adverse legal actions or improper reporting on their credit reports have occurred until they need to access credit or some other adverse incident has occurred.

Every service member should pull his or her individual credit report and inspect the negative reporting that occurs on the reports. If in fact there are errors on credit reports, these errors can often be corrected in a matter of a few days.

You can pull a FREE credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com

or go directly to each website and request your report there:

http://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html

http://www.equifax.com/home/en_us

http://www.transunion.com/

After you’ve got your reports, use the online dispute process to remove improper credit reports.   If you have problems we offer a free consultation and can assist you  for a nominal fee in correcting the errors.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761             Phone: (727) 410-2705;   email: calh@gate.net

CLARK ET UX. v. RAMEKER, TRUSTEE, ET AL Decided June 12, 2014

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The U.S. Supreme Court has now found that funds in an inherited IRA account are not exempt funds. This decision could have far-reaching and significant impact on people with large sums of inheritance monies held in IRA accounts. In fact, the impact could be financially devastating.

“ Three legal characteristics of inherited IRAs provide objec­tive evidence that they do not contain such funds. First, the holder of an inherited IRA may never invest additional money in the account. 26 U. S. C. §219(d)(4). Second, holders of inherited IRAs are required to withdraw money from the accounts, no matter how far they are from retirement. §§408(a)(6), 401(a)(9)(B). Finally, the holder of an inherited IRA may withdraw the entire balance of the account at any time—and use it for any purpose—without penalty. Pp. 4–6.”

 

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761             Phone: (727) 410-2705;   email: calh@gate.net

Suntrust Mortgage Deal Over Foreclosures with State Attorney Generals

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Several federal agencies and 49 state attorneys general struck a $968 million settlement Tuesday with SunTrust Mortgage over charges that it violated laws governing mortgage origination, servicing and foreclosures. Floridians who borrowed money from SunTrust Mortgage Inc. to buy a home could get nearly 40 percent of the total consumer relief expected under a joint state-federal settlement with the mortgage lender and servicer. http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2014/06/18/florida-homeowners-could-get-biggest-piece-of.html Read more

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Report

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Report

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More senior homeowners with mortgages: Older consumers are carrying more mortgage debt into their retirement years than in previous decades. For homeowners age 65 and older, the percentage carrying mortgage debt increased from 22 percent to 30 percent from 2001 to 2011. Among those aged 75 and older, the rate more than doubled during that same time period, from 8.4 percent to 21.2 percent.

Median mortgage debt for seniors increased by 82 percent: From 2001 to 2011, the median amount older homeowners owed on mortgages increased 82 percent from about $43,300 to $79,000. In addition to carrying increased mortgage debt, many older Americans have also accrued less home equity than their age group did a decade ago. This decline in home equity may have an outsize impact on older Americans, for whom home equity is frequently their primary or even only asset. The result is less financial security and greater financial risk. Those considering taking out a home equity loan will want to know about the home equity loan interest rates before committing to anything. Some might find that looking mortgage notes might be a way to get a handle on their mortgage debt. If you want to know what is a mortgage note you can do research online to find out more.

Senior delinquency and foreclosure rates increased five-fold after the financial crisis: From 2007 to 2011, the percentage of homeowners age 65 to 74 who were seriously delinquent in paying their mortgage, meaning they were more than 90 days late or in foreclosure, increased from 0.85 percent to 4.96 percent. For those over 75, it increased from 1.01 percent to 5.87 percent. While delinquency and foreclosure rates have decreased since 2012, foreclosure among older homeowners is still a significant problem. Among other things, older consumers have greater difficulty recovering from foreclosure than their younger counterparts due to their increased incidences of health problems, cognitive impairment, and difficulties returning to the workforce.

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/reports/snapshot-of-older-consumers-and-mortgage-debt/

If you find yourself in this situation a loan modification may be available. Contact our office for a free consultation today!

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761 Phone: (727) 410-2705; email: calh@gate.net

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Revised Chapter 13 Model Plan in Ft. Myers and Tampa

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The judges of the Tampa and Ft. Myers Divisions have revised the approved Chapter 13 Model Plan. The revised Model Plan must be used by all Chapter 13 debtors in cases filed on or after June 1, 2014.

Changes from the previous model plan include:
Paragraph 5 which provides that secured creditors who have filed proofs of claim prior to the claims bar date or within 14 days from the date of an order converting or dismissing the case, whichever date is earlier, shall have an administrative lien on plan payments paid by the debtor to the Chapter 13 Trustee prior to confirmation.

Paragraph 5(G), (H) and (I) of the Model Plan.

In 5(G), the debtor may elect to pay secured claims/leased claims direct to the creditor.  If the Debtor makes this election, the automatic stay and any codebtor stay are terminated in rem upon the filing of the Plan.  The debtor’s state law contract rights are not abrogated.

In 5(H), the debtor may designate secured claims that are not provided for under the plan. The automatic stay and any codebtor stay are terminated, the debtor’s liability to the creditor is not discharged under the plan, and the debtor’s state law contract rights are not abrogated.

In 5(I), the debtor may elect to surrender secured/leased property. The automatic stay is terminated in rem as to the secured creditor.

Revisions have also been made to the following form orders to make them consistent with the revised Model Plan: Order Establishing Duties of Debtor, etc., the Order Granting Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss, and the Order Governing Procedures After Conversion to Chapter 7.

Click to download Chapter 13 Plan (pdf)

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761             Phone: (727) 410-2705;   email: calh@gate.net