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California Foreclosure Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Foreclosure for California on
Q: I am a 2nd position lender for a property located in California. I am filing a Non Judicial Foreclosure.

If I file foreclosure first before the lender in 1st position, does that mean that I have priority in payments from the auction of the sale. My outstanding balance gets paid first and then the other lender. From the sale, am I obligated to pay any of the other lender’s balance?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 5, 2024

If you foreclose as the second position lender, there are several different ways things can go. At the foreclosure auction, if you credit bid the amount you owe and there are no other bidders, you become the owner of the property subject to the first position lender's interest. You have no... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for California on
Q: I have the title to my house, my boyfriend is on the loan, he left and no longer made the payments, I can make them

I talked to the bank but my ex boyfriend doesn't want to sign the documents to change the loan

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 1, 2024

It's tough to deal with a situation like this, but there are steps you can take. Since you have the title to the house, it gives you some leverage. Begin by documenting all your communications with the bank and your ex-boyfriend. This documentation can be helpful if you need to take legal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for California on
Q: I filed a mechanic lien for $150000 in bellflower property. What is the average cost to file a foreclosure on this lien

I am a licensed general contractor I filed the lien and was recorded 3 weeks ago

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 26, 2024

Filing a foreclosure on a mechanic's lien in California involves several steps and costs. The first step is to file a lawsuit to enforce the lien, which typically requires paying court filing fees. These fees can range from $435 to $465 depending on the court. You might also incur additional... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Banking for California on
Q: "Seeking advice on loan modification: If my mom (or we as POAs) signs, who is liable if the loan defaults?"

my brother took the loan using my mom’s credit. My mom is not in the mental state to sign the agreement. If myself or my son who are the power of attorneys signed that document for my mom, where does the responsibility lie if the loan goes into default.?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 24, 2024

If you or your son sign the loan modification document as power of attorneys for your mom, you are signing on her behalf, not assuming personal liability for the loan. Under California law, the responsibility for the loan remains with your mom, as the original borrower, even if you sign on her... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Collections, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: I am a Creditor seeking foreclosure on a Los Angeles condo by a man who Fraudulently Transferred equity to his brother.

To avoid Writ of Execution to sell his Los Angeles Condo in 2005, the co-owner attempted to transfer his 1/2 equity to his brother for an alleged $431,975. No loan, and no loan documents ever existed, just the filing for a Trust Deed on the entire condo. I contend that the 7-year statute of... View More

Delaram Keshvarian
Delaram Keshvarian
answered on Jul 18, 2024

Thank you for your question!

If it was a fraudulent transfer, just to shield the property, you probably can reverse the transfer. The statute of limitation of the judicial foreclosure is 3 years unless it was in installments. There is a trust deed, so you may be able to do a non-judicial...
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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Foreclosure for California on
Q: I'm being evicted, was offered cash for keys, 2 weeks later, served a pay or quit, was served a complaint. Is that legal

In 2023 March, i left my ex husband for domestic violence issues and entered a saftey shelter. Our hose we bought march the prior year was a forbearance due to a hardship. April 4th 2023 my ex husband was arrested on domestic violence. He since then spent 418 days in jail. While I and my children... View More

Delaram Keshvarian
Delaram Keshvarian
answered on Jul 17, 2024

Thank you for your question!

It seems that your house was out is about to be foreclosed.

You may have defenses against foreclosure and eviction if the loan servicer is not complying with the forbearance terms agreement. You may also apply for loan modification if you have some...
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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Tax Law, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Eviction process, rights & responsibilities of new owner after tax default sale Lassen County, CA.

What is the correct process and what documents/notices do I use in order to evict a former owner from property that I purchased in a tax default sale/auction located in Lassen County, CA? Also am I allowed to dispose of items left on the property as soon as I am notified as winner of... View More

Delaram Keshvarian
Delaram Keshvarian
answered on May 9, 2024

Thank you for asking the question!

For evicting a tenant, you need to go through the formal legal process of eviction. Self-help of the landlord is prohibited. You cannot throw away the tenant's property as soon as you win the property.

Also, there is a right of redemption...
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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Foreclosure for California on
Q: Does only one person (husband or wife) have to file bankruptcy to stop Trust Deed Sale?

If our client wanted to stop a foreclosure on a property, and the note holders are husband and wife, do both husband and wife need to file bankruptcy to stop the Trust Deed Sale or can only one of them file?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Mar 27, 2024

The Bankruptcy Code provides an automatic stay against proceeding against the debtor/bankrupt and his property (very broadly defined by section 541 of the Code). And Chapter 13 provides a "codebtor stay", which would protect a non-filing spouse.

I'm in PA, and my practice...
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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for California on
Q: When a servicer fails to abide by the CA Homeowner's Bill of Rights, when must a wrongful foreclosure claim be filed?

The servicer failed to comply with the Bill of Rights, including serving the mortgagor with an NOD and providing the opportunity to bring the account current, based on the portion owed. The mortgagor's application was under consideration for a government relief program. The Trustee sold the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 22, 2024

In your situation, where the servicer failed to comply with California's Homeowner Bill of Rights, particularly regarding the Notice of Default (NOD) and the opportunity to cure the default, you may have grounds for legal recourse. The California Homeowner Bill of Rights requires that your... View More

Q: Can I sue my family if they were the one's responsible for the foreclosure and the medical debt, and the falsified doc.

The Power of Attorney they made me sign in another place they made me go, and it was Mexico, and they said it was for the ability to rent my house out, so I wouldn't lose it. And they used it to run their business, and they put ownership in their names, and in their trust, and they didn't... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 21, 2024

Under California law, you may have grounds to sue if your family used a Power of Attorney to defraud you, resulting in foreclosure and medical debt due to their actions. Misuse of a Power of Attorney, especially to falsify documents or to alter property ownership without consent, is a serious... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for California on
Q: I hear mental illness protects your home. Does it protect it from a quck foreclosure more than 10 years ago,
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 17, 2024

In California, having a mental illness does not automatically protect your home from foreclosure. However, if mental illness significantly impairs your ability to manage your finances or understand the foreclosure process, there may be legal protections and resources available. These protections... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: OK so Me and my boyfriend moved in a house about 6 months ago we were on a fixed lease we'll the house got foreclosed up
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

In California, if you're living in a rental property that gets foreclosed upon, the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act provides you with certain rights. First and foremost, if you have a fixed-term lease, the new owner must honor the lease unless they plan to occupy the property as their... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: How do you rid of a mechanical lein on your home?

My mom is about to get a mechanical lein placed on her home mid March. She hired a company to clean and insulate the attic valued at 7200.00. She did not sign a contract. I her son signed an agreement in good faith. So far they don't want to work with us. They want either two installments or... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 28, 2024

Under California law, a mechanic's lien is a security interest in the title to property for the benefit of those who have supplied labor or materials that improve the property. If a mechanic's lien is placed on your mother's home, it's crucial to address it promptly to avoid... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Foreclosure and Estate Planning for California on
Q: How do I get rid of a mechanical lein placed on a home owned by my mom's trust?

My mom needed work done in her attic. A company called Attic Project took on the work knowing very well we didn't have the money stating my mom can pay them back later. I her son signed an agreement. My mom owes them 7200.00 now they want to place a mechanical lein on her home by middle of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 28, 2024

Under California law, dealing with a mechanic's lien on a property requires prompt and careful action. If a lien has been placed on your mom's home due to unpaid debts for work done, the first step is to review the agreement you signed with Attic Project. It's important to understand... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Collections for California on
Q: What do I need to do next? Received Notice of Trustee's Sale on a property that we have a lien against.

Non payment of purchase of building materials totaling $20,000.

Is there a way to recoup this loss?

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Feb 15, 2024

Yes, and no. Assuming your lien is validly perfected, you can advance money to the senior lien(s) to reinstate it, which will stop them from foreclosing this time around, and then initiate your own foreclosure process. There is so much to consider before you do anything like that, without much time... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My father passed away and I have a total of 2 brothers and 2 sisters. My dad had a Mortgage and I need some help.

I'm trying to keep my dad's house in the family and I make enough money to make sure the $900/month mortgage payment is paid. How do I continue to keep it in my family?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 31, 2024

To keep your father's house in the family after his passing, you'll need to consider a few important steps. First, determine whether your father had a will or any estate planning documents that specify his wishes for the property. If there's a will, it should outline who inherits the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: What can I do about a person that hasn't made a mortgage payment in over 4 yrears

I'm the estate executor for my father who has past away...he had sold this property to an individual ,my father also was carrying the note...these person just won't pay ,I've been chasing them around for a year...what can I do??

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 19, 2024

As the estate executor for your deceased father, if the individual who purchased the property has not made a mortgage payment in over four years, you may have legal options to address the situation. First, review the terms of the sales agreement and the promissory note to understand the specific... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Do we still have rights? House sold at auction in March 2023 due to unpaid mortgage. The unpaid was during covid!

Hi, my partner owns(ed) a house and in 2019 signed a new mortgage contract with a company taking over the previous. Then covid hit. To my understanding mortgages were supposed to be frozen. This mortgage company had kept billing him however and before we knew it he was slapped with a notice to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 27, 2023

Under California law, it's important to know that even if a house is sold at auction due to unpaid mortgage, former homeowners may still have certain rights. The fact that the mortgage issues arose during COVID-19 adds complexity to the situation, as there were various relief programs and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Should I contact clear recon group and make sure it's known that im a tenant prior to foreclosure auction?

I, as well as the tenants in three other units on are living on the property still, landlord died a few months ago, his heirs shut off all utilities and prevented us from turning them on and neglected the property, it almost immediately went into foreclosure and I just found out the auction date is... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 25, 2023

Yes, it would be wise to contact Clear Recon Group to inform them that the property is occupied. As the trustee handling the foreclosure, they should be aware of the presence of tenants. This can affect the foreclosure process and any subsequent actions they take regarding the property.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Foreclosure for California on
Q: Would there be a foreclosure risk if we hold on to mortgage payments until we hear back from the mortgage relief
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 28, 2023

Under California law, holding off on mortgage payments while waiting for a response regarding mortgage relief can be risky. Foreclosure proceedings can be initiated by your lender if you miss payments, even if you have applied for mortgage relief. It's important to keep in mind that the... View More

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