Legal Affairs Dept.

[Charleese]

I have a vet who needs legal advice and can't afford an attorney for a foreclosure matter. Has anyone used VA legal affairs dept. in a foreclosure matter. If so please cite your experience and what they have done to get your matter resolved. The only facts I have is that he wants the VA attorney to represent him in his foreclosure issue. I do not have any other facts. Thanks in advance for your answer. Did not know what forum to post this in.

[john999]

You must be joking. The VA is not going to provide your friend with a lawyer. They might provide a lawyer to prosecute him for some expenses if he took out a VA mortgage.

The VA is not in the business of helping veterans. They are in the business of helping themselves.

[Philip Rogers]

I agree w/John. He should check w/some type of legal aid. There are many outfits that would be able to assist him.

VA lawyer . . helping . . . hahahahaha!!! That's a good one! jmo

pr

[Berta]

http://homebuying.about.com/od/foreclosures/qt/060710-How-to-Stop-VA-Foreclosures.htm

In part:

"Help for VA Borrowers in Default

Veterans who become delinquent on a VA home loan can utilize agency-provided servicing assistance to help resolve the problem. VA borrowers can also seek help from experts at one of eight Regional Loan Centers and two special servicing centers. To find the center nearest you, call 877-827-3702.

Some veterans may also be able to qualify for default protection under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, or SCRA. Eligible veterans may receive a lower interest rate for up to one year and stave off foreclosure or eviction for up to nine months from their period of military service. "

"Veterans with Non-VA loans

Obviously the VA is limited in what it can do to intervene when veterans have mortgages that aren’t backed by the agency. Veterans may be able to refinance their existing conventional loan into a VA loan for up to 100 percent of the property’s value.

Veterans can also turn to the HOPE NOW Alliance for help. This group of counselors, mortgage companies and other experts provides outreach, counseling and assistance to homeowners who are struggling to stay afloat. Call 1-888-995-4673 or visit www.hopenow.com."

http://homebuying.about.com/od/foreclosures/qt/060710-How-to-Stop-VA-Foreclosures.htm

I have had contact with 2 people in the past few years facing a foreclosure.

One family immediately got a local lawyer and staved off their foreclosure right away.

The other 2 homeowners did not get a lawyer and are having great difficulties. One, a widow of a veteran, has spent most of her 401 K retirement in attempts to stop the foreclosure and the other one has done nothing, inspite of my advise,to get a foreclosure lawyer (he told me he couldn't find one in his state but I sent him a list of foreclosure lawyers in his state and he still did not contact any of them )and expects to be evicted,per his last email, possibly Today!!!!.

he also emailed me around Christmas that he wished I lived closer to him because then he would have a place to go to when he gets evicted ...(yeah right...no way)

I know you mean well and want to help veterans Charleese, but foreclosures can happen for many reasons and need fast action on the part of the homeowner.

I cant help the vet's widow at all. She has the money to go to the casino a few times a month, sometimes more often than that, but tells everyone she can't afford a lawyer to help stave off the forclosure.

[Gastone]

Already in Foreclosure? Might be a little late in trying to find FREE Legal assistance. Does he really want to and can he afford to stay in the house? Few years back, a friend's lady-friend's house was in foreclosure. She managed to stay in the house almost 2 years before having to move. She just continued to pay her utilities every month. As reported to me, she had good income but got in over her head financially and fell behind on Mortgage payments. She lived in the house for almost 2 years, rent & property tax free. Had to be worth approximately $32K in savings, if she banked the money. Her credit rating had already taken the Foreclosure hit.

I've noticed that there are frequent Veterans Legal Assistance programs Advertised at the VA Hospitals Learning Center. It appears for the most part, the services are offered Pro Bono, something to check out.

Good Luck

Semper Fi

Gastone

[Philip Rogers]

Thanks Berta, I learned something new!!! I'm just so used to the VA screwing the vet.

pr

[Berta]

I did too PR because I didnt know of the links above until I googled a bunch of stuff.

Then again Gastone makes a great point.

A homeowner has to take fast steps to get the help they need, as soon as they find themselves in financial mortgage trouble.

The man I know who expects to be locked out of his quarter of a mil home any day now, has been in foreclosure for many years already, without paying his mortgage. I guess the mortgage company has kept his property taxes up to date.He told me he cant even afford to rent a room,if they padlock his house.

He has 3 incomes. Often foreclosures are only a symptom of other deeper and expensive problems.