Top Santa Monica, CA Loan Modification Lawyers Near You

What Mortgage Loan Workouts Are For

A mortgage loan workout, also called a mortgage modification, is a plan detailing how to restructure a home loan when the homeowner is facing foreclosure. Lenders consider the seriousness of the hardship, the balance of the loan, earned equity, and the borrower’s future financial prospects. Lenders may lower the interest rate or extend the loan.

How a Mortgage Loan Workout Lawyer Can Help

If you are considering a mortgage loan workout you should first consult a Santa Monica lawyer who handles workout cases. The lawyer can guide you through the workout process, advise you about your alternatives, such as a short sale, negotiate with the lender and protect your interests.

Best Time to Seek Legal Help

No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.

Tips on Approaching an Initial Attorney Consultation

• Use the consultation as a means of gaining a better understanding of your legal situation.
• Ask the attorney how many cases similar to yours he/she has handled. An attorney’s experience and knowledge can speak to their expertise (or lack of) in addressing your situation.
• Your attorney should be able to articulate roughly how long a case like yours will take to resolve and what sort of procedures to expect.
• Determine how comfortable you are working with the lawyer and/or law firm.

How to Find the Right Attorney

• Determine the area of law that relates to your issue. Attorneys specialize in specific practice areas around legal issues within the broad field of law.
• Seek out recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. A successful attorney or practice will typically have many satisfied clients.
• Set up consultation appointments to get a better understanding of your case as well as gauge your comfort level with different attorneys. Find the attorney who is the right fit for your needs.

Common legal terms explained

Plaintiff – a person or party who brings a lawsuit against another person(s) or party/parties in a court of law. Private persons or parties can only file suit in civil court.

Judgment – A decision of the court. Also known as a decree or order. Judgments handed down by the court are usually binding on the parties before the court.