“Dear Steve,
HI STEVE , WE HIRED AN ATTORNEY OUT OF STATE TO SETTLE OR GUIDE US THROUGH A LOAN MODIFICATION WITH OUR LENDER. IT HAS BEEN 18 MONTHS AND 3 CHANGES IN OUR LENDER (IN LESS THAN A YEAR). WE PAID 3, OOO $ FOR THEM TO NEGOTIATE AND REPRESENT US IN A LOAN MODIFICATION. NOTHING HAS BEEN SETTLED AND THEY ARE FOR THE 3RD TIME ASKING US FOR MORE PAPERWORK AND DOCUMENTATION TO RESUBMIT TO THE LATEST LENDER . THEY TOLD US TO SHOW HARDSHIP AND QUIT MAKING OUR PAYMENTS, SO WE ARE REALLY IN ARREARS AND A SALE DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR APRIL 10TH, 2013. WE FEEL THEY HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING FOR US AND JUST SHUFFLING PAPERWORK. WE ARE OUT MONEY AND FACING FORECLOSURE!
IS CAPLAN LAW GROUP ATTORNEYS A LEGITIMATE COMPANY TO HANDLE LOAN MODIFICATIONS? THEY ARE LOCATED IN W. PALM BEACH FLORIDA AND CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD STANDING WITH THE BBB. WE FEEL WE HAVE BEEN SCAMMED AND CAN WE GET OUR MONEY BACK? ANY INFO YOU HAVE WOULD BE GREAT! WE ALSO HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY A LAW GROUP WHO WANTS US TO JOIN A GROUP LAWSUIT AGAINST OUR LENDER. A GROUP COMPLEX TORT ACTION LAWSUIT. WE HAVE READ A LOT ABOUT THESE RIPOFFS ON YOUR BLOG AND THINKING ABOUT TELLING THEM TO GO JUMP! WE ARE SICK OF EVERYONE TRYING TO GET RICH ON OUR MISFORTUNE!
DELORES”
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The Answer
Dear Delores,
Caplan Law Group in West Palm Beach, Florida does have an F rating with the BBB. – Source
The BBB reports Edward Gee is the principal of the company and so does the State of Florida. Just one problem with that. The Florida Bar does not show any attorney licensed to practice law under that name.
The company listed address with the State of Florida, 745 Veneto Drive, #304, West Palm Beach, FL 33043 looks like an some sort of residential complex with a pool. – Source
A street view shows it as some sort of gated community.
I would suggest you follow this guide in an attempt to get your money back.
Regarding the mass joinder marketing attempt, I have no known one of those suits to be successful.
Regarding your mortgage loan modification, see the free links below.
Mortgage Help
Be sure to first read How Not to Get Scammed by a Mortgage Loan Modification Company.
Debt-to-Income Calculator
First you’ll need to determine your current debt-to-income ratio. The target debt-to-income ratio under the Home Affordable Modification program is 31%. Use this free online DTI calculator.
Mortgage Modification Calculator
The mortgage modification eligibility calculator will ask you several questions and then show you which programs you may be eligible for.
The free mortgage modification calculator can be found here.
Free Mortgage Modification Help and Counseling
If you have questions about the process or eligibility you can call 888-995-4673 and get connected with an mortgage modification adviser for free. This help is provided by government subsidized HUD Housing Counselors and they can be a big help in navigating the modification process.
In order to assist you, the housing expert will need to gather some information from you. Have the following documents handy:
- Information about your first mortgage, such as your monthly mortgage statement.
- Information about any second mortgage or home equity line of credit on the house.
- Information about the monthly gross (before tax) income of all household members contributing to pay the mortgage, including recent pay stubs if you receive them or documentation of income you receive from other sources.
- Information about your savings and other assets.
- Account balances and minimum monthly payments due on all of your credit cards.
- Account balances and monthly payments on all your other debts such as student loans and car loans.
- Your most recent income tax return.
- It may also be helpful to have: A letter describing any circumstances that caused your income to be reduced or expenses to be increased (job loss, divorce, illness, etc.), if applicable.
You can also get free help and housing counseling from a local HUD approved counselor. You can find your local free housing counselor, here.
Contact Your Mortgage Company
Not sure if your mortgage company offers modification programs? Not all do. You can contact your mortgage company to ask them about mortgage modification programs you might be eligible for. Click here to find your mortgage company.
NPV Calculator
Want to know the net present value (NPV) of your home for the mortgage modification process? No problem, use the free NPV calculator to find out. The NPV calculator is right here.
The calculator can be used by homeowners who have been denied a HAMP modification because of their NPV result or can also be used by homeowners prior to applying for a HAMP modification to help them better understand the NPV evaluation.
No Advance Fees
The Federal Trade Commission has a Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule which prohibits advance fees for mortgage rescue services or mortgage modification help.
Please post your responses and follow-up messages to me on this in the comments section below.
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