The Florida Bar
651 E. Jefferson Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300
(850) 561-5600
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Public Information
Consumer Information
With one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation and a jobless rate topping 9 percent, Florida has many homeowners who are out of work, facing financial problems and trying to save their homes. This page has links to information about free clinics and other help; about finding an attorney; and about how not to become a victim of a foreclosure-rescue, loan-modification or debt- or credit-repair scam. If you know of additional resources, please e-mail the Consumer Protection Law Committee at slyle@flabar.org.
Information for consumers includes:
• Free Help, Workshops and Clinics : A calendar of foreclosure, bankruptcy and housing help workshops and clinics being held through Florida.
• Finding an Attorney/ Legal Aid Resources: Information about the Florida Attorneys Saving Home program, the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service and Legal Aid agencies and questions to ask an attorney.
• Tips / Avoiding Scams: Homeowners can find tips and help from state and federal agencies to deal with housing issues and avoid becoming victims of scammers. Also relevant terms to know.
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FREE HELP
Help is available. Begin looking for help as soon as you know you may not be able to pay any of your bills, particularly your mortgage
Intake Form Available To Help Pre-Foreclosure Homeowners Who Are Facing Or Fear The Possibility Of Foreclosure. An online intake form (the actual link to the intake form is at the bottom of the page under instructions) is available for Floridians hoping to avoid foreclosure and to bypass the toll-free hot line of the Florida Attorneys Saving Homes program is available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at 1-866-607-2187. Because of the number of requests for help, there can be a wait time of up to 45 days for assistance.
Housing Help/Foreclosure Workshops
Please check periodically for new events.
If you’ve been served with a mortgage foreclosure lawsuit, bring all of the papers you signed when you got the loan and any court or other papers or letters you have received.
Info Expo
Friday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sarasota
Westfield’s Sarasota Square Mall,
U.S. 41 and Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL.
The Sarasota County S.A.L.T. Council, Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, will sponsor a one-day, info event-packed "Info Expo" at Westfield's Sarasota Square Mall. Sarasota County residents of all ages are invited to come to attend. Representatives from law enforcement, Suncoast Workforce Board, health, legal advocacy for active and retired military of Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and other protective services, as well as senior support groups, will be on hand to answer your questions and provide helpful information, including FHA Reverse Mortgage information and information for residents facing mortgage foreclosure.
Foreclosure Fraud Prevention Seminars
Community Law Program in St. Petersburg is partnering with Pinellas County Justice and Consumer Services, Gulf Coast Legal Services, Tampa Bay CDC and St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. for a series of workshops to educate homeowners about foreclosure rescue scams. They will be held:
Saturday, April 24
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Gulfport Casino - 5500 Shore Blvd S.
Gulfport
Saturday, July 24
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Enoch Davis Center- 1111 18th Ave S.
St. Petersburg
Saturday, Sept. 11
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Largo Library - 120 Central Park Drive
Largo
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Free Clinics You Can Attend
If you’ve been served with a mortgage foreclosure lawsuit, bring all of the papers you signed when you got the loan and any court or other papers or letters you have received afterwards.
Duval County
Learn tips from Jacksonville Area Legal Aid on how to avoid foreclosure, foreclosure scams and predatory lending. Foreclosure Clinics are held the second Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m. , 126 W. Adams St., Downtown Jacksonville. Details: (904) 356-8371.
Duval County
Learn from Jacksonville Area Legal Aid about your consumer rights and debt collection and credit reports on the third Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m., 126 W. Adams St., Downtown Jacksonville. Details: (904) 356-8371.
Duval County
Learn from Jacksonville Area Legal Aid about consumer bankruptcy on the first Thursday of every month at 5 p.m., 126 W. Adams St., Downtown Jacksonville 32202. For additional information: (904) 356-8371.
Lee County
The Lee County Foreclosure Task Force sponsors monthly workshops, with attorneys present to help answer questions. Workshops are held on the first Friday of the month (Spanish workshop); second Saturday and the third Thursday of the month. Reserve a seat by calling United Way of Lee County at (239) 433-3900 or 211 from any landline phone.
Osceola County
Tuesdays and Thursday beginning June 16, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., pre-foreclosure counseling and legal assistance is available through Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida in Kissimmee at 800 North Main St. Clients can call (800) 984-2920 for assistance.
Palm Beach County
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County offers Foreclosure Intake clinics every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. by appointment. Phone: (561) 655-8944.
This PDF has additional information about foreclosure from the Legal Aid society of Palm Beach County.
Volusia County
East Volusia Foreclosure and Bankruptcy Clinics are offered by Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida Inc. on Fridays beginning at 8:45 a.m. 128-A Orange Ave. No. 100, Daytona Beach. Call (800) 363-2357. My House is Being Foreclosed brochure is also available for download.
Other legal, more general advice clinics may be available; call or check Web sites.
Legal Call-In /Dial-A-Lawyer
Hillsborough County
FOX 13 Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough County Bar Association partner to offer Ask-A-Lawyer on the first Thursday of the month at 7 a.m. Viewers can lawyers in the studio to receive free legal advice.
Miami-Dade County
Dade County Bar Association Legal Line at (888) 596-0399 operates on the first Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. offering free legal advice. Residents of South Florida are invited to call the DCBA and volunteer attorneys will answer simple legal questions, give brief legal advice or refer the call to the appropriate social service agency for further assistance.
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FINDING AN ATTORNEY/LEGAL AID
Throughout Florida, Legal Aid offices offer free or reduced cost assistance. To find a Legal Aid office near you, check The Florida Bar Web site.
The Florida Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can help you find an attorney to help you defend against a foreclosure. Call The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service to receive a referral at 1-800-342-8011. Attorneys who receive referrals have agreed to provide a half-hour office consultation for no more than $ 25. Lawyers who belong to the service have to be Members In Good Standing of The Florida Bar and have to carry minimum of $100,000 in professional liability insurance.
Pamphlet offers helpful questions
How do you find the right lawyer for your needs? And, once you do, how can you figure out what it might cost? The Florida Bar consumer pamphlet How to Find a Lawyer in Florida does not address every situation or legal question that may arise, but it gives guidance in getting the right legal help.
Questions to ask an attorney you are considering hiring to help you with your mortgage situation:
- Have you had experience with this type of problem (defending a foreclosure) before?
- How recently?
- How often?
- What was involved?
- Were you successful?
- What percentage of your practice is devoted to this kind of problem?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
- Can a timetable be set for my case?
- What do you charge for your services, and can you give me an estimate for what the expected fees and costs will be for this matter?
Other places to look for legal assistance
The National Association of Consumer Advocates, a nationwide organization of more than 1,000 attorneys who represent consumers, can be a resource in finding an attorney to help you.
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[Revised:
02-12-2010
]