Maryland Foreclosure Prevention Project: Foreclosure Solutions Workshop on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 in Baltimore City
May 4, 2009
There will be a Foreclosure Solutions Workshop on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 in Baltimore City from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. hosted by Associated Black Charities.
Pre-registration guarantees a free legal consultation.
Homeowners should bring: (1) all paperwork related to current and former mortgages (including loan application, settlement paperwork and lender statements); (2) all foreclosure notices or threats of foreclosure received; and (3) information about monthly household budget (income/expenses).
Hosted by:Â Â Associated Black Charities
Date: WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Gala Center
Address: 1700 Hill Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224***
For Homeowner Pre-Registration: Call (410) 659-0000, x1231
***This location is handicap accessible.
The above was excerpted from a Maryland Foreclosure Prevention Project email alert.
Why Did Lenders Oppose the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act?
May 3, 2009
Maryland bankruptcy attorney Brett Weiss has written an informative article discussing lenders’ opposing the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, even though it would seem to have benefited them by reducing the number of foreclosures.
Read Mr. Weiss’s article here.
Update: Senate Fails to Pass Helping Families Save Their Homes Act AKA Judicial Modification of Mortgages (Bankruptcy) Bill
May 3, 2009
On April 30, 2009, the full Senate took up the House-passed Housing bill (ÂHelping Families Save Their Homes ActÂ).
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) offered a revised version of S. 61 as an amendment to the bill; the amendment needed 60 votes to pass.
The amendment failed on a vote of 45 for, 51 against.
All Republican Senators voted against the amendment.
The following Democrats voted against it:  Senators Tester and Baucus  Montana; Byrd  West Virginia; Specter  PA; Bennet  Colorado; Ben Nelson  Nebraska; Carper  Delaware; Dorgan  North Dakota; Landrieu — Louisiana; Lincoln and Pryor  Arkansas; and Johnson  South Dakota.
The above was excerpted from a National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys update.
House Passes Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights, Takes Aim at Abusive Credit Card Company Practices
May 3, 2009
On Thursday, April 30, 2009, the House approved a bill that would restrict certain credit card company practices.
The legislation, called the “Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights,” would eliminate sudden increases in credit card interest rates and late fees.
The bill would also prohibit “double-cycle billing,” retroactive rate hikes, and companies’ giving credit cards to people under age 18. [Read this October 2006 Government Accountability Office Report for more information about these abusive credit card company practices.]
The bill passed the House by a vote of 357-70 following lobbying by President Barack Obama and members of his administration.
If they become law, the new provisions wouldn’t take effect for a year, except for a requirement that customers get 45 days’ notice before their interest rates are increased. That provision would take effect in 90 days.
Similar legislation is before the Senate, where its prospects appear promising.
The above is excerpted from an AP news article.
Thank you to Georgia attorney Woodrow Ware III for suggesting this topic.
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