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Mortgage Modification & Lien Stripping

Rockville Attorneys Handle Lien Stripping and Mortgage Modification for Your Maryland Home

Assisting you with your Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Montgomery and Frederick County

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, when interest rates were low and home values were high, some consumers took out second and even third mortgages on their homes. Perhaps the additional mortgage was made at the time of purchase, with some sort of 80/20 financing arrangement, maybe a creditor has obtained a judgment and has obtained a lien behind or perhaps the mortgage was a subsequent home equity line of credit. When home values dropped precipitously, many of these same homeowners found themselves owing more than their houses were worth. If you are unable to refinance your home, build equity, or obtain a mortgage modification discuss Chapter 13 bankruptcy with our attorneys at Wolff & Orenstein, LLC. To see if lien stripping will work for you try our calculator.

What is Chapter 13 lien stripping?

Lien avoidance commonly referred to as lien stripping involves the removal of your mortgage lien or judgment through reclassification of the debt. If your home’s value is too low to secure all the mortgage debt, the unsecured portion can be reclassified and stripped off. These stripped off debts are considered to be unsecured and can be discharged at the conclusion of the Chapter 13 plan.

Assume that you have two mortgages on your home, one for $200,000 and one for $50,000. If your home’s value is $190,000, the second lien is unsecured and subject to stripping. Stripping makes your financial situation much more sustainable over the long term. Instead of dividing your money between two mortgages, you have to pay only one. With less money to pay, you certainly have a decreased risk of foreclosure going forward. You can even build equity in your home, which is waiting for you when you complete your Chapter 13 plan.

How much of the stripped lien do you have to pay?

You may not have to repay anything, but chances are you will have to repay at least a few cents on the dollar. The amount of your unsecured debts that you must repay depends on several factors, which our attorneys can discuss with you as part of your comprehensive financial review.

What is the process involved in lien stripping?

In most cases, the lien-stripping process is as follows:

  • You file a Chapter 13 plan
  • Your attorney files a motion to avoid the lien to have the debt reclassified.
  • If required, you obtain an independent appraisal of your home’s value.
  • If the judge agrees that the lien is subject to stripping, the creditor is placed in the pool of Chapter 13 unsecured creditors.
  • You make an affordable monthly payment until your plan is completed and you receive a discharge.

Is lien stripping an option for your non-primary residence?

Yes. The lien-stripping process may apply to your income-producing property or to your vacation property depending on several factors, which our attorneys can explain when you consult with them about your bankruptcy case.

Contact our experienced Rockville lawyers for your free initial consultation

An experienced bankruptcy lawyer knows the best filing strategy for your family, knows the system and knows how to produce results. At Wolff & Orenstein, LLC, our attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience, and we are well known for our quality work in Montgomery, Frederick and Prince George’s County and throughout Maryland. Contact our bankruptcy law firm at 301.250.7232 or online for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Michael  G.  Wolff Attorney Photo
Michael G. Wolff
In Memoriam: Founding Member

In Memoriam It is with heavy hearts that we commemorate the life and legacy of our beloved Founding Member, Michael G. Wolff. Michael's distinguished career in the legal field was characterized by unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence that left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Over the…

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Jeffrey M. Orenstein
Member

Commercial Litigation & Consumer Law Firm Attorney Biography:Jeffrey M. Orenstein is a skilled commercial litigator with a particular emphasis on bankruptcy litigation. He has been appointed to serve as Bankruptcy Trustee and Examiner in complex Chapter 11 cases. For more than 25 years, he has represented bankruptcy estates, bankruptcy trustees in multiple jurisdictions, creditors and…

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Matthew Abbott
Attorney

Biography Matthew E. Abbott is the latest attorney to join the Wolff & Orenstein, LLC team. Matthew graduated from American University Washington College of Law in 2019 after working for Wolff & Orenstein, LLC and the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) as a law clerk. Prior to…

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RECENT CASES
Md. Bkr. Case No.: 12-21288 (Chapter 7)
*Resolved litigation to release federal and state liens on Debtor's principal residence in Silver Spring, Maryland and discharged over $90,000.00 of tax obligations.

*Each case is different and past record is no assurance that the lawyer will be successful in reaching a favorable result in any future case.
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