First a disclosure. You like other California taxpayers, pay my salary. That results from the fact that I teach at a tax supported educational institution. That said, I have no financial interest in any entity that can provide assistance, even those who have Moe's approval and are allowed to advertise on this website. I do believe Moe when he says that he monitors those entities advertising here and appears to get involved in resolving any issues where a forum participant has problems with one of the advertisers. Oh and I participate on this forum voluntarily and without receiving a dime of compensation.
I guess my point in saying this is absent the advice of a trusted person on who to hire as an attorney knowledgeable in California real estate law and debt collection practices, I would recommend utilizing one of those entities that support this website rather than resorting to the advertised claims of others. If it sounds too good to be real, it probably is. This "foreclosure assistance" business in the past became such a "fraud related" problem the California legislature enacted the following:
CA Codes (civ:2945-2945.11)
I have no idea who Cyrene is. Probably works for one of those entities I'd avoid who take your money and do little else.
In terms of your situation, you need to combat the desire to bring emotions into play. I fully recognize just how difficult that can be. Nevertheless, this is your life and the decisions you make at this critical junction will impact how you spend your retirement years. Not only is it "okay to have this take or leave it attitude." It is necessary, in my humble opinion, to adopt it as you hunker down into survival mode.
Catherine, you need to do the right thing. The right thing isn't "honor my word." Yes, you made a commitment to pay the money back. But that commitment was conditioned upon having the ability to pay. You don't have the ability because of circumstances. Those circumstances include your inability to sell the home for what is owed. The reason you can't do that isn't your fault. It is, in my opinion, the direct consequences of the actions of real estate professionals, investment professionals, and government regulators, in promoting a market based upon unrealistic assumptions. I put the blame squarely on them.
So, go ahead and use your business sense. You'll gain my respect, and I believe that is so much more important than the respect of all those people who propagated the fraud on consumers by claiming "real estate always goes up." Well it doesn't and we are witnessing the tragic results of this untruthful statement.
Daniel