Contemplating Hiring Attorney for Countrywide Mod Attempt

[Moe Bedard]

Frankie and other members,

We do not point to anyone or steer anyone. From day one, I have ALWAYS advocated doing this yourself or using a non--profit. If you have read through all the posts for the past 2 years, the media, all the emails I receive every day, the people who call me on my cell phone for help and hope, you will see that we have never wavered from doing what is right and giving out the best advice we can for free.

Some lawyers bring a lot to the table with contacts and I have been involved in the non-profit world and have seen the same issues that members are complaining about here. Just because a return call is not made and or someone didn't like the tone of someones voice is not a reason to attack them or the firm they represent.

Personally, I see a lot of blame and finger pointing by newbies and homeowners that do not understand how the legal system works, how non profits work, who can get help from them and who can not or how the loan modification process works.

If there is a problem with the law firm or with anyone else, we have always helped. But I refuse to let anyone imply that I have anything to do with their individual issues or problems because they called a banner on my forum is pretty ridiculous. And the problems I have read about have been a few calls not made and law office rep with not the best of skills on the phone....

OK, and? What do I do? Cal the lawyer police? All I can do is find new lawyers and outlets for homeowners who CANNOT get help on their own.

FYI members - Homeowners with multiple properties, complex financial issues and large properties cannot get help fro free or a non profit. Another FYI, that number of people is in the millions.

Also, there are people who have been scammed and ripped off and need a lawyer. To refer them to the same people who scammed them or a non-lawyer is not doing them a service.

To make statements about something or even "try" and imply things that someone knows very little about is foolish and could be called ignorant.

Our team here has helped thousands of people for free, we give all the free resources on this site and our other sites and I also am always searching for law firms that can handle the phone calls and inquiries that this forum generates.

If any of you can do this better, find better attorneys, help investors or people with multiple properties, or help ripped off homeowners for free and get them free legal representation then I AM ALL EARS????

[Moe Bedard]

Thanks so much tandm!

I am glad you have figured out how to use and utilize the resources we have for you here.

We do our best to make the tool (this website) as safe and easy as possible to use. I am glad you have chosen to use this tool to your benefit and you also realize that I do not control how people use the tool to solve "their" problems.

Thanks for saying thanks! I needed that after the last few days

Originally Posted by tandm

Moe -

The law firm we used that I've talked about in other threads IS NOT Franson and Molinaro. I've been careful not to mention the firm we hired by name on this forum as I think *** wanted me to watch out for that. By the way, I am so glad you've created this website - it's been a wonderful tool and a place to go and learn from/help others who are feeling the pain too.

[Moe Bedard]

No no no ***, It is not about conflict of interst. This is about checking out all resources thoroughly before we refer or let members mention them. Especially on for profits. Thanks.

Originally Posted by *** Damiano

Yes that is correct....as it would create a conflict of interest.......they would have to speak with Moe first.......until they have been checked out first and authorized to be on the website.
you can have your attorney email him if they are interested...........
moe@loansafe.org

[frankielee]

Woah now Moe, slow down a little here. Since you addressed that post to me, I'd ask that you go back and read my post more slowly this time. I specifically stated that I have no problem whatsoever with a profit being made from legitimate means such as banner ads. I'm a webmaster myself and I know how much time is involved with running such a concern. I also praised you and your efforts with this fine website. I simply meant that I believe it would be unethical to have a forum that directly links to one specific law firm. It's kind of like seperation of church and state in my mind, a thorny issue.

Now once again, please don't assume that I'm accusing you of that. I most certainly am not. But also don't assume that just because I'm new to your website means that I automatically don't have an understanding of law and the intricacies and difficulties that some of these cases present. Once again, if you re-read my post, I think I went out of my way to say that if in fact a law firm is simply pressing for a $$$ amount without either party knowing whether or not there is added value over any of the readily available consumer advocates out there then it's more than likely a disservice and possibly financially harmful to someone who is down to their last few bucks from abusive lending practices. Having said that, I 100% understand the need for legal representation when it's warranted and many times it is.

I'd hate to see the outcome of Pro se v. Countrywide Legal Department. It wouldn't be a pretty sight.

Keep up the good work and know that I made or meant no reference to your character other than kudos, goodwill, and a tip of the hat.

[Moe Bedard]

OK, I have slowed down. Thanks and if I came off side ways out you, I am sorry. Thanks for the kind words and taking the time to clarify yourself. Sometimes words can get twisted or words not communicated properly when they are in type form.

I have been trying to do my best for 2 years now with the great help of ***, Daniel, the Professor Andrew and many other great members. This website receives over 1/2 million visitors a month and hundreds of post daily asking for free help and we have answered every single one. I now pay people to help here because they have to eat and live.

The only support I get is from the law firms and I am not tied to one and there have been 6 various law firms that have advertise here in the past. Not one specific law firm 24/7.

I have advertising options for them to choose that include exclusive law firm and most want exclusive. BUT that has ended last week and I am actively looking for law firms to work with homeowners who need legal services.

I need more law firms here Frankie. There are just so few that have any idea what they are doing or could handle the calls this forum generates.

As mentioned above, I am open to any ideas or law firms that want to work with forum members.

[johnamac5]

Hi there! I had intentions of hiring G&A initially, but when it came time to send in payment, I was told by LaFollette that my stuff was being moved to F&M. No problem with that since everything was in the beginning stages. It's been about one month now, and things are moving, but slowly. Actually, they may even be moving faster than I'm aware of since I don't get calls or eMails to update me on progress, if any. Today, I sent more docs to LaFollette via eMail only to get an auto reply saying he is no longer employed with F&M. Nice of someone to let me know this! I had to call to see who would be working on my mod. Got the new person my file was assigned to, but he didn't seem very knowledgable as far as my file goes. I sent him the eMail with the docs, but I have yet to receive a response or even confirmation of receipt of the eMail! I'm sure the office is extremely busy, but I'm growing a little uneasy here.

[tandm]

Johnamac5 -

I wrote this earlier on another thread - sounds just like you!

BofAinNoVA ~

I would not recommend going with a loan modification. We did and they really have been no help. We went through 3 negotiators, each of whom had to be updated on our file and what we were trying to achieve. The movement on our file was very slow, so slow that we had to update our financials 3 times. Save your money and go through NACA.

Just a note - we paid $5000 - after 6 months, we got lucky (if you can call it that) and the loan mod group offered $2000 back (which we took). Now we're back to on our own.

[johnamac5]

Great! Now I'm freaking out. I think my first step will be to contact them and ask for a summary of what has been done thus far. If nothing, we're going to have problems!!!

[tandm]

johnamac5 ~

Don't freak out. That doesn't do YOU any good. Do you have your new negotiator's e-mail? If so, ask them to call you so you can update them on all your financials and goals. I find my negotiator(s) (we had so many!) prefer to talk after 6:00 as the banks are closed by then. Ask them when is a good time to talk and then schedule that time.

I think it's better to be nice to these people rather than yell and scream and get on their bad side - at least for us - we'd already paid them. I didn't think there was any going back.

[Moe Bedard]

Whatever I can do to help, please email or call me.

[Boneman]

Moe--

Where there is smoke.... someone might be smokin' something.

And I smell a skunk.... or perhaps that's just some sort of lawyer talk.

First of all (since this is my first post) >> THANK YOU for setting up this forum. It is excellent. I spent a good portion of the afternoon reading here, specifically for information about legal firms offering various loan modification services.

I began my search looking for info on an Orange County based firm that advertises extensively on Sirius satellite radio (and perhaps elsewhere- not sure) -but info on this particular firm seems absent from your site, presumably because they are not a sponsor/advertiser here. It would be great if there was a place for people to post both their positive and/or negative experiences with any legal firm, just as has been done with the various lending institutions.

Regarding the firms mentioned in this post in particular, there is something fishy here.

I have not retained anyone yet, and as I've said I have been doing some due dilegence prior to shelling out the $3-5000 in fees for services hoped for, but never guaranteed, as no law firm will guarantee anything.

I sent preliminary info to a legal assistant at Fransen and Molinaro, and today when I tried to follow-up with her via email, I received an automated reply indicating that she (Y. F.) no longer works at the firm either.

In addition--- though the firms contend that they are unaffiliated, it seems that at the least they share a common call center where I get an image of a cube farm/sweat shop tele-marketing operation where phone reps are paid commission to seal the deal with potential clients who are then passed or channeled to one or the other of these two firms.

Case in point- the email response generated clearly indicated that if you worked with this legal assistant as a client of Fransen and Molinaro you should call one number for further assistance (951-531-0147) but if you worked with her as a client of Griswold and Agdeppa you should call another number- Pernel at 951-284-2148.

Clearly, they are at least in some way affiliated. Secondly, I received a second email from Scott- who indicated that he was the manager at Fransen and Molinaro.

Since Fransen and Molinaro are both advertisers and occaional posters here, it would be great if they would provide some clarification.

[johnamac5]

Moe,

Thanks for posting. I still have a little hope that things will work out with F&A working on our loan mod. I would have a lot of hope if one simple thing was done. Follow up / Status updates! My mind would be at ease if maybe once per week, I was contacted by my legal assistant (whomever that might be at this point) to simply update me on the status of our mod. Even if it's just to say we submitted an offer to the mortgage company, I would be happy with that. Some proof of what my $3,000 is getting me would be great!

[Boneman]

johnamac5-

I understand what you are saying completely!

These firms that advertise here on the site may be wonderful- but their very best advertising would be through stories of a positive experience as told here on the site-- from those who have been working with them.

I've noticed a severe shortage of 'let me tell you about my good experience with my legal representation' stories here on the site.

At this point I honestly don't know if $3-$5000 up-front to these lawyers is money well spent, or more like throwing good money after bad.

Does anyone have an honest to goodness success story of engaging with an ethical, transparent, communicative and effective law firm?

I'll take a good story over the assurances of a good call center sales rep or forum banner ad any day...

[johnamac5]

Moe,

I take my last post back. I've been made aware of some things with F&A that I'm not comfortable with. I'm now going to work on stopping payment on my check to them, and I'm going somewhere else.

[Moe Bedard]

I understand your concerns and I would have some too.....

This is a free forum to discuss exactly what you are discussing. No edits and or bans for speaking the truth.

OK, this is a boiler room right? www.ModifyLoan.net, look at the video. Why don't you drive and see your lawyer? You are making presumptions based on your gut and maybe something you read on some anonymous blog?

Everything on LoanSafe and LoanWorkout is free and I give away all the free scam and free help available and you all are doing exactly what you should do and that is researching.

I have written on the subject more than anyone. I have been involved in just about as many. There are very, very, very few attorneys in the country who know what they are doing and can handle this business. Hopefully, the recommendation you received or whatever you heard was from someone who may have some credentials like me and maybe the media???

As far as the phones and building. This is simple. This forum generates about 100 calls a day. Griswold and Agdeppa were terminated from advertising on my forums and blogs for California because they could not take any more cases and I said, that is enough.

This advertising includes and 800#'s, software, banners, websites etc. that they DO NOT OWN. If they do not advertise with me, then they lose my websites and my phone numbers.

Fransen and Molinaro have taken over the advertising and the phones were crossed and software etc. Griswold and Agdeppa is the firm that needs to make sure everyone is aware of this as well as Fransen and Molinaro.

If lawyers owned this forum or the government or a lender etc.. then we would not have free speech here and this would be swept under the rug.

I hope this helps. If any of you need my help, call me on my cell and I'll fight to help you in any way I can!! 951-271-6283

[Paul Molinaro Esq.]

Anyone interested in the truth? While a bit convoluted, here it is...

We are NOT affiliated with Griswold and Agdeppa (Hereafter "G&A"). No how. No way. G&A rented two buildings in our office complex. These buildings are located across the parking lot.

We are located at 980 Montecito Drive, Suite 206 in Corona, CA. Due to the growing size of our law firm, we have outgrown our office. Not only that, we needed additional staff to handle each client. We learned that G&A was no longer utilizing the services of many people, whom we considered highly qualified to help us. We hired them, and over the course of the next few weeks made some adjustments to the new staff (adding and laying off a few here and there). We also subleased one of the entire buildings which G&A was using. This building is but a stone's throw from our main office. Again, literally, it is across the parking lot. G&A no longer has any employees in that building. G&A does not operate out of that building. They are still located in their other building.

Now, the problem is the phone lines. The building we took over has existing telecommunication lines and numbers. And, what a problem it is! We have been using the same numbers since 2006, and we are desperately trying to route our calls to the right numbers, but they are getting crossed.

We are actively trying to clear up the mess and confusion created due to our expansion. We are continuing to provide legal services to every one of our clients. We are not shutting down (despite what I read on some other gossip site).

I have spent the last two weeks interviewing so many attorneys I lost count. We will pick a few top lawyers of this group to add to our staff. We anticipate continued growth and want enough attorneys to continue the personalized representation that we provide to each client. We are fortunate enough to be a sought after employer. We currently have SIX full-time attorneys, all of which have experience in the niche area of law that we practice.

Now, if anyone has questions or concerns about my firm, please email or call. We do not want any misunderstandings about how we operate. We also want to know about any problems that may exist, so we can fix them immediately.

And, as I have said many times, no matter who you hire to save you home, whether some for-profit firm or a non-profit association, do you homework and make sure they are legit. This site has great information about the many highly qualified non-profits out there. It has great information for do-it-yerselfers. Each person's situation is unique. Some people like the idea of having a lawyer. Some people do not trust lawyers. No matter, just make sure you arm yourself with a lot of knowledge.

- Paul J. Molinaro
Fransen & Molinaro

[Paul Molinaro Esq.]

Hey, Moe, I was trying not to throw you under the bus for the phone lines, but, you kinda mentioned it.

Our old fashion direct number (not toll free though is 951-520-9684 in case anyone wants to know). I digress but we have new fangled computer phones in the main office that can be plugged into any internet connection. When they work, it works great. They are even high definition (as if phone calls can sound like Bose speakers). But, when they go on the blink, I'm not so happy.
- Paul

[Cyn70]

First of all, Moe thank you for all you do and this forum.

I have a question for Mr. Molinaro, if I may. But first I would like to explain a little of my story. I retained the services of (G&A), the lawyers advertised here on the forum before Fransen & Molinaro. I paid $3k for help with a modification and Loan Audit. Although I never talked or met Mr. G or Mr. A, I have been very fortunate to be in communication with the office manager Scott Hazlette. He has been wonderful and most of the time has answered my e-mails and has kept me updated on our loan modification. Unfortunately our lender has given us her decision in regards to our case and it's not a good one. The question I have first of all is this; when I communicate with Scott the e-mails I receive from him state it's from the Law Office of Fransen & Molinaro, does that mean I am now being represented by you Mr. Molinaro? Second question I have is one that no one has been able to give me a straight answer to, not even Scott. According to the law office, there were many violations on my loan audit, my big question: where these violations truly used to persuade the lender to help us with a modification? The reason I ask is because what the lender is offering us now is the exact same offer I got even before retaining the services of G&A. Something does not seem right. I honesty feel the violations where never used to persuade the lender. I really wish I was wrong on this one but when I keep asking this same question and no one answers me I only feel I'm correct in my thinking. Mr. Molinaro do you know? I'd greatly appreciate your thoughts on this. It bothers me to think I paid $3k I didn't have for a loan audit I was told would be used to help our modification and never was used. Thank you for your response in advance.

[Paul Molinaro Esq.]

Well, cutting right to the heart of the matter, Scott Hazlet works for Fransen & Molinaro. He is our employee and works for no other firm (that is a no no in our firm). He used to perform work for G&A in the past, and if a client of G&A calls him, he may even try to answer their questions out of a courtesy. ANY and ALL questions or concerns from any client of any lawyer should be directed to the lawyer. We have not taken over any cases from G&A, and if they were the lawyer before, I would assume they still are. Give em a call. It's not as complicated as it seems. We hired a lot of people who no longer work fro G&A. Once they work for us, they work for no other firms. We are separate from other firms, and have never been a part of any other firm. Just Nathan and I... started Fransen & Molinaro, LLP ourselves, and are proud to have grown to a pretty good size by helping people with unaffordable debts.

- Paul

[Cyn70]

Mr. Molinaro, your quick response is very much appreciated. Although I understand your response, it still leaves me a bit confuse since Scott has been the one I've been communicating with about my modification since October of 2008. In the beginning all correspondence said G&A now it names your law firm. I will call them like you suggested. Thank you so much.

[Paul Molinaro Esq.]

Well, though it sort of cheapens the law firm image, allow an analogy... it is as if Scott worked at Office Max and now works for Staples. That said, I am, in no way, disparaging any office supply store, nor am I making any implication that one firm is better than the other... simply a change of jobs from one place to another... like working at Burger King and going to McDonalds... like working for IHOP and going to work for Denny's... like playing for the Mets and then being traded to the Yankees... like... okay, I'll stop now.
- Paul

[Katie3773]

Wow, I was ready to send EVERYTHING then I emailed Lafoulette and got the auto-response that he no longer works there. It almost has caused me as much worry as losing my home. I had a good relationship with the guy and now hes GONE...WHAT????? I must say I am glad I never sent the 3G's but, now I have nothing and have to start again and my sale is coming, and honestly, nothing is WORSE than losing my sanity over. I do believe these guys mean well and still are excellent real estate attorneys and making staff cuts are part of the business...I have one question, why did they lay them off if obviously they need them!!! Then to leave us hanging? I mean C'MON this my heart their taking from me!!! It felt like hitting the floor running!Didnt foresee this problem. This is time-sensitive, life-changing, heart-breaking stuff here. My honest opinion you guys MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL! My friend I met through working w/ F&M Charles said he talked to the guy and he said he was gonna help me, because charles asked him!! I want to thank you Charles, but, I'm just another pile of "COLD" papers sitting on a desk!!!

[johnamac5]

Katie3773,

I was in the same boat as you with the exception of I had already sent my $3,000 and had the process started. Let me ease your mind a bit. I spoke with the attorney I'm dealing with at F&A in detail last night. He explained to me that a lot of their support staff was laid off simply because they are looking to hire more attorneys to work on cases. This will ensure things are done correctly, the workload is handled, etc. I have to thank the attorney, Alex Hilton, for easing my mind last night. He patiently explained everything to me in great detail. After he was finished, all of the pieces of the puzzle were put together. I, like you, was working with LaFollette. There were many things Mr. Hilton explained to me that LaFollette never bothered to fill me in on, and these were things that LaFollette WAS capable of informing me of. Not things that only an attorney could advise. Good luck with whatever choice you make, but remember, don't make any hasty decisions until you've spoken with an attorney, and I'm sure an attorney at F&A will gladly speak with you.

[Cyn70]

I'm sorry Mr. Molinaro, my intensions were never to cheapen anyone's image, I was just looking for answers. Please let me assure you that from the service that I have received from Scott since the beginning has been excellent. You make a wise decision having him as an employee for your company. How I wish I would have gone with your company instead of the other since I have had more communication with you in a short time than I ever had with the other. Thank you for your time.

[Paul Molinaro Esq.]

Psst... I was saying the analogy I was about to make would cheapen the law firm's image. I was comparing my firm to other businesses. Nevermind, I guess I will give up the idea of retiring from law and doing stand-up.
- Paul