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Post Decree Mortgage in Foreclosure

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    Post Decree Mortgage in Foreclosure

    Sorry for the double post. I originally posted this in the foreclosure section but am wondering if it would be better in this forum.

    I tried searching for answers to this problem and was unable to find what I need. I was divorced in Apr 03. At the time the ex got one house and I got the other. She also got 1 lot at campground w/trailer and I got the other. Towards Aug of that year, she had been showing some responsibility in handling her debts and approached me about co-signing on a refinance of her home with cash back. I agreed with the stipulation that she buy me out of the other campground lot because I had no desire to go back there. She agreed. I also mainly did this because she lived close to me and it would allow the kids to more or less keep their regular lives moving forward. With the balance, she was supposed to pay off all her debts so she would just have 1 payment. Fast forward to Jan 06. We were no longer on friendly terms. She was playing games with the visitation with my daughters. In Feb I hired an attorney and took her back to court to modify the visitation. She waits a couple months then hires an attorney to increase the child support. By accident, I learn that she wasn't making the mortgage payment and that the finance company had initiated foreclosure proceedings. I had signed up with Truecredit to monitor my credit because I was trying clean up some other dings that I gained courtesy of my ex. By Sep 06 she files bankruptcy which I found out by talking with the attorney for finance company handling the foreclosure and was told that they couldn't give me any details. I contacted her BK attorney and was told that he couldn't give me any details. I contact the finance company and was told that they couldn't give me any details because it was tied up in ex's Chap 13. Now I was furious. I'm on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars and can't find anything out. Because of all the happenings, I ended up selling my house to my fiance because I was worried about having liens put on it. I now pay my fiance rent and cover the utilities as part of our agreement but still have a roof over my head. Shortly thereafter, I learned that the finance company backed out on the foreclosure and it was closed out. Later I learned it was because of the ex's Chap 13 repayment agreement. However, I still keep an eye on the credit report monthly and notice that the amount behind on the mortgage keeps climbing to the tune of the negotiated monthly payment each month. Now around rolls Dec 07 and I learn that her house is once again back in foreclosure. Not because I was ever served any paperwork which I wasn't for either foreclosure but because it showed up as forclosure proceedings on my credit report again. I begin to follow the proceedings on line at the circuit court clerk's website. I learned that in May 08, there had been a judgement of foreclosure. Now in Jul 08 I get in touch with the finance company. This time they said they would talk with me because it was no longer part of bankruptcy proceedings. I learn that after initial BK in Sep 06 only a few payments were made. I learn that as of Jul 07, no payments have been made. They refer me to the foreclosure atty. I spoke with that office and learned that a sherrif's sale was coming. I also learned that the mortgage was about $48,000 behind. Next thing was seeing the notice in our local paper advertising the sale and listing the parties as me, et al. Her name was nowhere to be seen. I contacted an attorney because other issues came up in regards to our domestic situation. He said that little can be done in regards to this foreclosure because it was post divorce so I am at the whim of the finance company and their attorney, and that I have to wait for the sale to go through and see what happens. So now I am patiently waiting for the sale. I am looking forward to the day when these 2 1/2 years of late payments destroying my credit report that I had no control over would soon be gone. I know it will take years but I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Yesterday I call to confirm the sale (2 days away) and I find out that it's not going to happen!!! I learn that it is tied up in another bankruptcy as of 1 week ago and they can't discuss it. I learn the name of the BK attorney and once again am told he can't discuss the details. I was fit to be tied (pulling out my hair, screaming and yelling, some of the most colorful language that even I have ever heard). Now I am determined to find out the information. Through online searching, I learn that the BK would be part of public record and could be accessed through PACER so I sign up. I also contact my atorney and learn that by her filing bankruptcy, that would indeed stop the sale and that a repayment plan would be filed but that the finance company could reject it. He was unable to tell me what would become of this second foreclosure proceedings. So now I take a look at the documents filed. FYI a couple years ago she went on duty disability but that gives her a pretty good income. She declared that along with the child support payments. This really infuriated me. That is money that is supposed to be going to help support the kids, not to pay off her irresponsibility. She hasn't made a mortgage payment in over a year but has been telling the kids, "Oh I don't have any money for this or that, go ask your dad." And her repayment plan is rediculous. I know for a fact that it comes down to when not if there will be another foreclosure.

    Now that I gave you a brief (LOL) introduction, here are my questions:
    1. Because I am a coborrower, do I have any right to attend the 341 meeting?
    2. Because I am a coborrower, if the finance company is able to continue the sale, and the house sells for a smaller amount than is owed, what are the chances that the mortgage company will seek a deficiency from me?
    3. Along those lines, I know that they will sometimes walk away and write off the deficiency, but still issue a 1099. If I never put any money into it, will I have to declare that on my taxes? Her income (Duty disability, child support) is tax free and can't be garnished.
    4. If the mortgage company seeks a deficency from me, because my payroll is easily accessed, what are the chances they will garnish my wages?
    5. Also if there is a deficiency, do I have any recourse in filing a claim in her bankruptcy to cover the amount that will be taken from me?
    6. Should I be considering bankruptcy and if so, at what point?
    7. Is there anything else I need to be concerned about?

    I know that I am looking for a lot of information but I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks

    P.S. I live in Illinois

    #2
    wow. Basically you will be on the hook no matter what. Lender's go where the money is and apparently that trail leads to you. So, the deficiency balance could/would become your responsiblity. Yes a 1099 could be issued and you would owe income on that deficiency. (not sure if injured spouse would apply here to stop that)

    It seems a shame that filing BK might be forced. If the deficiency is going to be thousands and thousands of dollars, that could be an option. However your transfer of your house to your girlfriend could become an issue to the court.

    There is no way she can refinance to get your name off of the mortgage so you will be stuck with this one bad spot on your credit report.

    And you are assuming her BK will fail? (budgeting is tough inj chapter 13's unless you are committed to make it work) Hopefully saving her house will be priority for her and she will make it through.

    because you are proactive now in this process and have PACER you can follow the progress.

    Yes you can show up to the 341. You should have been listed as a co debtor. Could you file a claim, well that might be iffy because she doesn't "owe" you yet, unless she defaults on the BK but being there lets the trustee know the situation and makes her aware that YOU are aware and watching. And if she defaults on the BK, you will get nothing anyway, the co debtor stay would be lifted and the lender will come after you for the deficiency. AT that point I would make the decision as to what your next step should be.

    GL

    Comment


      #3
      Thank you for taking time to respond. To answer your question about her failing in this Chap 13, I expect it based on years of experience with her. Her last one was dismissed in Jan 08 after 17 months for failure to make payment to trustee. She paid only a little over half of what she should have. During that time she was also supposed to be paying the mortgage on her own which she wasn't doing. Since Jul 07, there has been no mortgage payments made at all. Her new plan calls for her to make the mortgage payment of over $2400 along with making a payment of $1100 to the trustee. There is just no way she is going to be able to do that, not for lack of income but because of lack of responsibility. And in reality, she now owes more than the house is worth. She was making no good faith effort to make her self whole again and only filed to stop the upcoming sheriff sale. I did some looking around and found that because her last BK was dismissed and she refiled again for the same things (mtge,car) that there might not be an automatic stay on the foreclosure and she might have to file a motion within 30 days of filing which I don't see yet. All she is doing is prolonging the inevitable. This is the second set of foreclosure proceedings and this one was almost finished.
      As far as the sale of my house it was done a full 2 years ago. Would that make a difference?
      Lastly does it make any sense for me to go to the 341 meeting? Is there any thing for me to gain by going? It also turns out that I am co-owner of her car. My name is on the registrition and title with hers but I am not on the loan. The loan is going to be part of the BK.

      Comment


        #4
        you can go but generally you can accomplish your goal by just writing a letter to the trustee. If you are pretty sure that this plan will fail too, which it sounds like it will, then I would just start figuring out YOUR next move ahead of your ex. If you are seriously considering filing BK you don't have to wait for her to fail first. You might be ok for the look back period but it just depends on some districts and some trustee's and how picky they want to be. Some are just plain awful.

        I feel bad for your kids, who will be moving soon.


        I don't think you will be responsible for the car payment at all because you are not on the loan. But she needs you to sign off on it if she were to trade it in or sell it.

        So if you were thinking of BK, I wouldn't wait to see what happens to hers.

        Comment


          #5
          There are a lot more issues tied up with the kids and I am pretty sure that this may turn into a custody issue. If it does, and I am successful, she will lose the child support and that alone will cause her plan to fail.
          In regards to the trustee, do I contact the bankruptcy trustee or the US trustee and what issues should I be addressing in the letter?

          Comment

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