i need help from a chapter 13 expert

[imaloser]

yesterday i received my escrow analysis and my house payment jumped from 1282 to 2478 ! ! ! my trustee payment is 752. i'm 17 months into my plan. i have mortgage arrears being paid through my plan. the reason for the jump in payment is property taxes. my last bill was 750.00 - this bill is 4500.00. i have appealed my assessment but they're saying it could take six months before a hearing. the assessor's office is bottlenecked with appeals. i called boa and asked for a one year suspension in my escrow, or, until my appeal has been heard - they said no - the only way to suspend escrow is to refinance. i get it. they were willing to lower my payment from 2478 to 1940, spreading out the shortage in my escrow over 36 months - but i still can't afford the payment. the junior lein was stripped. i can't sell for what i owe and who would buy in my neighborhood with a 4500.00 tax assessment ! ! ! i have an appointment with my lawyer on 8/29.

what are my options ?

[AngelinaCat]

If you can possibly shoehorn yourself into an earlier appointment with your attorney, you need to do so.

You also need to do searches here for threads in 13 dealing with hardship issues.

(Also, please consider changing your online ID. You are most definitely NOT a loser!!!!! You are working to handle your problems. That's a WINNER in my book!)

Good luck to you!

[imaloser]

thanks - you're sweet - i'm having a pity party for myself and feeling really scared - i have a lot of responsibility and if it wasn't for my elderly mother who i care for i would hand the house back - no problems - no emotional ties whatsoever - well, i guess i would be sad about my garden - but that's it.

[Flamingo]

Did you tell the assessor's office when you called that you were in an active Chapter 13? I would call them back, explain the situation, tell them you are meeting with your attorney as soon as possible and that due to being in Chapter 13, you need a faster review of your appeal. Your attorney may be able to assist here in some way and also with your bank as to this situation. As AngelinaCat stated, I would definately try to see your attorney earlier if possible. That is one heck of a jump in property taxes. There is not too much you can do at this point until you speak with your attorney.

[BKParalegal]

Ima,

In most(or some) jurisdictions, you can do a PCM(Post Confirmation Modification) to your chapter 13 plan and add your post-petition property taxes into your plan. The issue is, did your mortgage company already pay these taxes or are they jacking your escrow for when the bill comes due. If they have not paid them, then you may be able to add them into your BK.

Good Luck

[imaloser]

oh yes - i actually spoke with the county assessor himself - not a staffer gave him my whole sob story - at first the staffer said six months - "frank" says to call him in a month and he will get me down there for a hearing. they truly are bottlenecked - still working on 2006 appeals. how disorganized ! my attorney is out this week - his first available is on the 29th - i'm covered for my trustee payment and my mortgage on the 29th but october's payments are something altogether different - very, very scary for me.

[imaloser]

bk - boa paid the taxes in april by the due date - obviously my escrow was shorted, probably by 3000.00. then my hoi was due on august 15th - sending it to 4000.00. the lady who works at the attorney's office looked up my account and said something like "you're at the maximum 60 month...there's no wiggle room in your plan" or something like that. i feel clucked.

[DebtSlave]

For what it is worth...Wells Fargo lowered my escrow amount (artibrarily?) this year.
It lowered my monthly mortgage payment by 65.00 each month. I don't get it at all.

We all know by now that "nothing goes down-everything goes up". Our county is also beginning new tax assessments this year.

I am glad I caught it and continued the required monthly payment. And fed the escrow account by whatever little extra I have each month.

I hope someone can answer your questions and help you with your problem.

I found it next to impossible to speak with a WF agent since my Chapt 13 is still active.
I cannot use their website either. The account number which has not changed will NOT allow me entrance into the website. No one at WF can figure that out.
Good luck !

[imaloser]

thanks everyone - boa has been very open and receptive - i wondered if they would talk to me - it's the first time i've spoken with them since my chapter 13 filing. everything seemed to be humming along until day before yesterday - i thought i was having a stroke reading my analysis and seeing my new payment book. i'll just have to wait and see what my options are. they also sent a coupon to send in my shortage amount, in full, for about 7,800.00 ! as if. this would mean, going forward, my new payment still at 1750.00 - can't really afford that either - not with my trustee payment. i'll give you an update once i speak with my lawyer.

[arkienurse]

Wow! And I stroked because WF is raising our payment by $240/month to cover more expensive insurance. I would literally have died if I got your letter. Hope you are able to get it worked out, and in a hurry.

[car67]

Wow i hate hear people whacked like this and for whats it worth when I am having rough day and think my pie is baked I find comfort that others are in same boat looking for help and answers. Hang in there and I think your trustee will made to modify your plan since this is real estate related!