When faced with foreclosure, it can feel like it’s you against the world. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, there are lawyers in your area who have devoted themselves to helping people facing your same dilemma. If you’re searching for a foreclosure lawyer in Chicago, Ahmad Sulaiman of Sulaiman Law and Associates, it the type of lawyer you need. In fact, in the past few years, Sulaiman has represented dozens of homeowners who could no longer afford to pay off their lenders because of the current state of the economy and housing market.
He also knows that most homeowners who find themselves in financial squalor have been dealing with banks that have given them the runaround for months, and that homeowners have grown leery about investing their time and money into another person to help them get out of debt. In reality, though, argues Sulaiman, hiring the right attorney could make all the difference. Here, he gives his opinion on how you can locate a qualified foreclosure attorney in your area.
Cast a wide net: Lawyers who specialize in foreclosures are not as common as say a DWI attorney or a divorce lawyer, but they are out there. And since foreclosures are all too common in this day and age, there is a good chance that there are online forums where people in your area have written about their own experiences. Get references and make as many appointments as you feel necessary. Since many lawyers offer free consultations, you can meet with multiple firms before deciding which one you feel most comfortable with. In fact, at his firm, Sulaiman requires that all his clients meet with another lawyer first for credibility purposes. You should feel certain that you’ve obtained the best representation possible, he says.
Focus on expertise: Only two other firms in the country are as experienced as Sulaiman Law and Associates, Sulaiman says. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t find an adequate attorney in your area. Besides Internet ratings and personal references, Sulaiman also suggests that you read what lawyers in your city have published about foreclosure, lending and real estate. It will give you a good indication as to their opinions on the subject, and their experience in negotiating with persistent lenders.
Question possible lawyers: At the very least, says Sulaiman, your foreclosure lawyer in Chicago, or in a city near you, should be able to educate you on which laws your lender and mortgage broker were required to abide by, and which laws were violated during the sale of your home. He should also be able to give a fact-based response as to whether you should look for ways to surrender your home or if you are in the right situation to fight back and retain ownership of your house.
Once you find yourself dealing with the foreclosure of your home, chances are you have already been taken advantage of by too many people. So it is important that you don’t settle for an under-qualified lawyer who is looking to profit from your situation, too. It may take time to locate the perfect attorney for you, but if it means that you will be able to keep the home you have always dreamed of, then isn’t it worth it?
This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Neither publication of this article nor your receipt of this article create an attorney-client relationship.
