In Episode 58 of The Crushing Debt podcast, we discuss a case called In Re: Failla. This case impacts both bankruptcy and foreclosure cases in Florida, and was a win for lenders, against homeowners and borrowers.
Mr. and Mrs. Failla bought a house in Boca Raton, Florida. Eventually circumstances caused them to fall behind on their mortgage and the bank filed a foreclosure. The Faillas then decided to eliminate their debts in bankruptcy, including stating their intent to "surrender" their house to the mortgage company.
However, when the bank proceeded to foreclose, based on the Failla's intent to surrender the house, the Faillas fought the foreclosure case. The bank objected to the Failla's actions. The case found its way to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, GA (which governs bankruptcy and Federal Court cases in Florida, Georgia and Alabama). The decision is from October 2016 and now, unfortunately, means that when someone in bankruptcy indicates an intent to "surrender" the house, they're no longer allowed to later defend the foreclosure case.
Do you agree with the Court's decision?
Please let us know at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or www.yesnerlaw.com.
Having said that had I been the judge in this case I would have wanted to hear from the debtors why they originally chose to surrender the property if it was on their own accord and not from legal advice from an attorney, I would require them to produce a video stating what complete imbeciles they were for listening to friends and family rather than seeking legal advice. I would have them run social networking commercials telling their Network what complete idiots a word for not seeking legal advice. I would then rule on behalf of the debtors because any normal person that's able to read cannot possibly understand the interpretation of State statutes especially when it comes to financial issues.
I would also in my ruling require the financial institution to run commercials as well and actual video commercial prior to any Future Mortgage signing that the client or the debtor understands how an actual foreclosure process would take place period we are in a new economy which includes technology that allows for people to better understand the legal system if we portray it through new technical means rather than just ink printed on paper.