Quick Answer: Recently, Attorney Siddons was successful in having his client awarded $15,000.00 in statutory damages against a debt collector who violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), 47 U.S.C. § 227 et seq. INTRODUCTION TO THE TELEPHONE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT The TCPA prohibits “any person within the United States, (or any person outside the…
Quick Answer: In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began a program called the Fresh Start, which aimed to assist those with back taxes. This program provides taxpayers with back taxes and other Federal tax debts with a range of alternatives. It also increases the original liability coverage from $25,000 to $50,000 with monthly payments…
Quick Answer: When tragedy strikes, your personal life may stop but the rest of the world continues on. Getting behind on your home loan or mortgage can quickly turn into a foreclosure without any action on your part. Even though there are many different programs and ways to help save you from foreclosure, if you…
Quick Answer: In two cases involving the Bank of America in 2015, the Supreme Court held that even multiple mortgages on the same property (each is known as a junior lien mortgage), cannot be void in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy debt if the value of collateral securing the debt is less than the outstanding indebtedness…
Quick Answer: For homeowners throughout Maryland, tax sale foreclosure is a very real and very scary thing. In Baltimore City, as little as $250 owed in property taxes is sufficient for the homeowner to lose their property to a tax sale. Even if the homeowner owns the property outright, something as little as a few…
Quick Answer: Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) The federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) offers homeowners at risk for foreclosure reduced monthly mortgage payments. This program was designed to help families with documented financial hardship. It is for those who would have the ability to make payments if their monthly bill was modified to a…
Quick Answer: It might be a difficult topic to think about, but once you have a child, you have to think about who you would want to take care of your child in the event you are no longer able to. Though it is tough, naming someone as guardian of your child or children establishes…
Quick Answer: To File or Not to File? Before You File Bankruptcy If you are struggling with debt, bankruptcy might be something you are considering. Bankruptcy allows individuals to obtain immediate relief from creditors and get a fresh financial start. Is Bankruptcy Right for Me You may want to consider bankruptcy if: You are having…
Quick Answer: Maryland Aims to Prevent Tax Sale Foreclosures In the past year, there were over 20,000 Maryland households with delinquent taxes. Thirty-percent of those properties were sold through tax sales. In the State of Maryland, homeowners with as little as $250 of unpaid property taxes or $350 of unpaid water bills risk foreclosure. When…
Quick Answer: Foreclosures and Utility Shutoffs Rate Rises with Warmer Weather As the weather is starting to warm up and summer approaches, lenders and service providers partake in their own “spring cleaning.” During this time of year, the amount of foreclosures and utility shutoffs tend to rise. Due to the extremely cold and harsh winter,…