This is a topic that comes up often. In fact, I hear it not just from clients, but also from many insurance adjusters. They tell me that the police report is admissible evidence that my client did something wrong. The…
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California Debt Blog: Midland Funding
I admit it. I am amazed at Midland Funding. They file an awful lot of lawsuits. At least, they do in Sacramento County. At my last count, they had filed over 50 lawsuits in Sacramento County alone in March, 2009….
Loss of Consortium
Sometimes people ask me about filing a loss of consortium claim. Well, that is not how they put it, but that is what it is called. They ask about a claim for the spouse of the injured person. And they…
California Debt Blog: Debt Collector Posted on Myspace
Yes, a debt collector posted about someone’s debt on Myspace. The collector decided it would be a good idea to post something on the debtor’s Myspace page about the debt. This is a violation of the FDCPA. The only thing…
California Debt Blog: Read Closely – and then ask questions
I have warned you time and again about being careful of working with non-attorneys for a loan modification. Well, now a new warning: if you talk to anyone besides an attorney and they claim they are working with an attorney,…
California Debt Blog: Death Does Not Stop the Collector
The NY Times has a fascinating story about a debt collection firm in MN that calls the relatives of deceased people asking for money on old debts. This is horrible. It is an outrage. There is no good reason for…
California Debt Blog: Life After Foreclosures
Dana Howard of News10 ran a story last night about life after foreclosure. The consensus was that there is life after foreclosure for most people. While some lenders will not give you a new mortgage right away, you will be…
The value of a good lawyer
Some people think a good attorney can just increase the value of your case. And he or she can, as I will discuss. But, before we get there, a good attorney can help you avoid wasting your time. Case in…
California Debt Blog: DIY Modifications
I keep getting calls from people who are trying to get modifications by themselves. These folks usually have a few things in common: They make under $70,000 per year; They own homes that were bought for $400,000 or more; They…
California Debt Blog: New FDCPA Proposal
The Federal Government, through the FTC, has proposed changes to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. These changes are good, at least in my opinion. Maryland attorney Sonya Smith-Valentine summarized these changes nicely on her blog: Debt collectors should provide…