Florida Foreclosure Defense Lawyers

At The Law Offices of Michael J. Owen, we represent Florida clients in a vast array of legal matters. Our Tampa foreclosure defense attorneys also handle issues related to bankruptcy, real estate. We can help you throughout all the steps of your legal journey, and we are committed to each of our clients on an individual level. Whether you’re going through a divorce, undergoing financial difficulties, or in danger of losing your home, choosing an attorney is an important decision to ensure your rights are properly protected. We offer vast experience and tenacious dedication in matters throughout our diverse and complex range of practice areas.

A lender may seek to foreclose on a home in order to terminate an owner’s interest in it following the default on a loan. In these proceedings, an owner must defend the complaint by filing a response within 20 days. After responding, a defendant can look into various alternatives to avoid foreclosure on his or her home.

If a homeowner facing foreclosure does not wish to remain in the house, a short sale may be a way to avoid a negative impact on his or her credit. Short sales are agreements between the lender and homeowner allowing for the property to be sold for less than what is actually owed on the mortgage. If leaving the home is not feasible, a loan modification is another alternative to foreclosure. This allows the owner to renegotiate the mortgage terms to make payments more manageable.

In many situations, people facing foreclosure proceedings are also considering filing for bankruptcy, or already in that process. An individual can file under Chapter 7, which offers relief from “unsecured” debts like credit cards or medical bills through liquidation, or under Chapter 13, which is an option for those with a higher income that allows for a more gradual reorganization process. Filing for either type of bankruptcy can be a tedious task, and it should be done with the assistance of an experienced Tampa foreclosure defense attorney.

The process of obtaining a divorce is often emotional, stressful, and complicated. Whether paternity needs to be established or a separating couple needs to come to an agreement on spousal or child support, a competent attorney is important to ensure your voice is heard.

Since Florida is a “no-fault” state, neither party to a divorce has to give the court a reason the marriage is ending. Instead, courts are more concerned with the aftermath and establishing an agreement for the future. In Florida, a couple may obtain a divorce if either of them has been a resident for six months, and the marriage is irretrievably broken. Either spouse may file for a regular or simplified dissolution of marriage. A simplified dissolution is available when neither is seeking alimony and no minor children are involved in the proceedings.

Alimony, or spousal support, may be available as needed if the petitioning spouse shows that it is necessary to sustain the same quality of life enjoyed during the course of the marriage. A court considers the couple’s standard of living during a marriage, the duration of the marriage, and each party’s financial resources and earning capacities when determining an alimony award. If minor children are involved in divorce proceedings, both parents have a legal responsibility to provide financial support for their upbringing. The court will take into consideration the number of children, both parents’ income, daycare and healthcare costs, and custody time for each parent when determining a child support amount.

Sometimes circumstances change, and a modification to alimony or child support may become necessary. In Florida, a parent must show a permanent and substantial change in circumstances in order to modify an award, such as disability or loss of a job. Petitions for modification must be filed properly to avoid any errors, and consulting a knowledgeable attorney to help sort through the details is an important step to ensure accuracy. Mr. Owen can help you reach an agreement that is in the best interest of you and your family.

In addition to foreclosure defense, The Law Offices of Michael J. Owen represents individuals in real estate (including landlord-tenant issues, purchase contract enforcement, and specific performance) matters throughout the state of Florida. We evaluate each case carefully to devise effective strategies. Serving clients throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County, Mr. Owen is dedicated to his clients and their legal needs. Whether you need a Tampa foreclosure defense lawyer to protect your home or assistance with ensuring the financial security of your children after a divorce, we can help you explore your options and decide what your legal course of action should be. Contact us through our website or call us at 813-502-6768 today.