Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions people ask before they pick up the phone.
General
Working with the firm
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. The first conversation with David is free and confidential, by phone, by video, or at the Fort Lee or Matawan office. You'll leave knowing your options and what representation would cost.
How quickly will I hear back?
Calls and form submissions are returned within one business day. If you have a foreclosure sale date or other deadline, call (732) 790-1505 directly and say so.
Do I have to come to the office?
No. Most matters can start by phone or video, and documents can be sent electronically. In-person meetings are available by appointment.
What areas do you serve?
Offices are in Fort Lee and Matawan, and David takes foreclosure and real estate matters in all 21 New Jersey counties, with a local guide for each.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
Whatever you have: mortgage statements and notices, the foreclosure complaint, contracts, and a short timeline of what has happened. Don't worry if it's incomplete.
How are fees structured?
Transactional work is typically a flat fee quoted in advance. Foreclosure defense and litigation fees depend on strategy and complexity; David explains them in writing before you decide.
Do you offer payment plans?
[State the firm's policy on payment plans.]
Does contacting you create an attorney-client relationship?
No. A relationship is formed only when you and the firm sign an engagement agreement. Until then, please do not send highly sensitive information.
Foreclosure Defense
Foreclosure Defense questions
Can I really stop a foreclosure once it's started?
Often, yes. Depending on where you are in the process, options range from loan modification and reinstatement to negotiating a short sale or raising defenses to an improper filing. The earlier you act, the more options you have, but even with a sale date it is usually worth a conversation.
Is a loan modification or a short sale better for me?
It depends on your goal and finances. If you want to keep the home and can support a reasonable payment, a modification may be right. If keeping it isn't realistic, a short sale can let you exit without a foreclosure on your record. David will walk you through the trade-offs for your specific numbers.
Do I have to talk to the bank myself?
No. Once you retain David, he communicates with the servicer on your behalf, prepares the paperwork, and keeps the process moving, so you are not repeating your story to a new representative every week.
What will foreclosure defense cost me?
Your initial consultation is free. Fees for representation depend on the strategy and complexity of your case, and David will explain them clearly and in writing before you decide to move forward.
Will this hurt my credit?
Missed payments and foreclosure both affect credit, which is exactly why acting early matters. Alternatives like a modification, short sale, or deed in lieu are generally less damaging than a completed foreclosure, and David works to negotiate terms that limit the long-term impact where possible.
How long does foreclosure take in New Jersey?
New Jersey foreclosures are judicial, meaning the lender must sue in Superior Court. Before filing, the lender must mail a Notice of Intention to Foreclose at least 30 days in advance under the Fair Foreclosure Act. Once served with the complaint you have 35 days to answer; an unanswered case is treated as uncontested and processed by the Office of Foreclosure in Trenton. Contested cases go before a Chancery Division judge in the county where the home is located. After final judgment, the sheriff has 150 days to schedule the sale, and homeowners are entitled to two adjournments of up to 30 days each. Even after the sheriff's sale there is a 10-day period to redeem or object. Start to finish, an uncontested case often takes a year or more, and a contested one longer. Most of the best options exist only before the sale date.
What is the New Jersey Foreclosure Mediation Program?
A free court program for owner-occupants of one-to-four family homes. You request mediation within 60 days of being served with the complaint, and a HUD-certified housing counselor and, if needed, an NJHMFA-contracted attorney help you negotiate with the lender in a court-supervised setting. David can request mediation for you and represent you in it, and it is often the fastest way to get a modification reviewed seriously.
Real Estate Law
Real Estate Law questions
Do I need an attorney to buy or sell a home in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not require one, but it is customary in northern New Jersey, and the standard realtor contract gives each side a three-business-day attorney review period after signing. During that window an attorney can cancel or revise the contract; after it closes, the contract is binding as written. That is why the best time to call is the day the contract is signed. The title company and the other side's agent do not represent you.
How much does a real estate attorney cost?
Most transactional work is quoted as a flat fee up front, so you know the cost before you commit. Dispute work is discussed at the consultation.
Can you review a contract I already signed?
Yes. Many contracts have contingency periods and deadlines that still give you options. The sooner David sees it, the better.
Do you work with my real estate agent?
Absolutely. David coordinates with agents, lenders, and title companies so the deal moves forward without surprises.
Still have a question?
Ask David directly
Tell David what you're facing. You'll leave the conversation knowing your options, with no pressure and no obligation. Calls returned within one business day.