Attorneys volunteer to help low-income families with
mortgage foreclosure defense
March 5, 2008 Media Release
(Raleigh,
NC) –
More than 100 attorneys participated in a recent training designed
to help them volunteer legal help to low-income families who are
dealing with mortgage foreclosures across
North Carolina.
The training event was sponsored by the
NC Academy of Trial
Lawyers, which requested that its members reach out to help
individual homeowners who are being threatened with foreclosure or
are presently in the foreclosure process and cannot afford legal
representation.
“North Carolina
homeowners are facing foreclosures in record numbers,” says George
Hausen, executive director of
Legal Aid of
NC. “We are anticipating more than 60,000 foreclosures in
North Carolina
this year; foreclosure devastates families and undermines community
property values. As this trend continues, more attorneys are
needed to ensure that homeowners are being treated fairly in the
process and that we save as many homes as possible.”
The training, “Responding to the Subprime Mortgage Meltdown:
Defending Homeowners Against Foreclosure,” included sessions on
the foreclosure process, identification of defenses and optional
bankruptcy. Participants heard private attorneys and
representatives of the legal services organizations who have
partnered to provide mortgage foreclosure representation.
Participants are expected to provide representation on a pro bono
basis for low-income families who are facing mortgage foreclosure.
Homeowners who are facing foreclosure are encouraged to call the
toll-free Homeowner's
HOPE Hotline, 888-995-HOPE
(888-995-4673). Or they may call Legal Aid of
North Carolina,
866-219-LANC (866-219-5262) to ask for legal advise.
Legal Aid of
North Carolina (LANC)
is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services
in civil matters to eligible, low-income people in all 100 counties
in North Carolina
through 24, geographically located offices in
North Carolina.
LANC’s clients typically have an annual income of 125% or less of
the federally established poverty levels.
#
# #
CONTACTS:
Hazel Mack-Hilliard
(Regional Manager, Triad Region, Legal Aid of NC),
Winston-Salem, NC,
336-725-9162
Carlene McNulty (Staff Attorney,
NC Justice
Center),
Raleigh, NC,
919-856-2161
George Hausen (Executive Director, LANC), Raleigh, NC
919-856-2564
Richard Taylor (CEO, NC Academy of Trial Lawyers),
Raleigh, NC
800-688-1413
Dock Kornegay (Director, Public Relations & Development, Legal Aid
of NC), Raleigh, NC, 919-856-2564
_________
SEE ALSO:
Mortgage
Foreclosure Project (MFP), Legal Aid of NC
Homeowner's
HOPE Hotline, 888-995-HOPE
(888-995-4673)
Pro
bono Services, Legal Aid of NC
Disclaimer
The materials contained on this website
are for information and educational purposes only and do not
constitute legal advice.
Also please note that Legal Aid of North Carolina does not
provide legal assistance by E-mail. Contact your Legal Aid of
North Carolina office or a private attorney if you need to speak
to an attorney regarding your particular situation.
See our
complete disclaimer.
Mission Statement
Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that
provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in
order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers
to economic opportunity.