Grossbart, Portney & Rosenberg

12/28/2025

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/business/student-loans-bankruptcy.html?searchResultPosition=1

A new study suggests that distressed borrowers using a simpler bankruptcy process are succeeding — and that more people like them should try.

12/25/2025

Want to stop a foreclosure?

12/25/2025

15 Ways Homeowners Can Fight Off Zombie Second Mortgage Foreclosures

1. The Statute of Limitations
2. Challenging Authority to Foreclose a Second Mortgage
3. Claims Under TILA and RESPA
4. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
5. Contract-Based Claims and Defenses
6. Negligence-Based Claims and Defenses
7. Defenses and Claims Based on State UDAP Statutes
8. Laches and Equitable Defenses to Second Mortgage Foreclosures
9. State Law General Foreclosure Requirements
10. State Laws That Specifically Regulate Second Mortgages
11. Bankruptcy Remedies Applicable to Zombie Second Mortgages
12. Loss Mitigation Options for Junior Mortgages
13. Issues Involving Deficiency Claims Specific to Second Mortgages
14. Recoupment Strategies Against Zombie Seconds
15. Defenses and Claims Related Specifically to HELOC Loans

12/16/2025

Recently a well-known local television journalist called to consider bankruptcy despite having a substantial income. After receiving the necessary documentation, I was able to determine what the monthly chapter 13 plan payment would be for 5 years. After contemplation the decision was to not file and just make the best effort going forward.

I post this antidote to remind people you don't necessarily need to file bankruptcy, but it is best to make an informed decision.

05/05/2025

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/getting-calls-debt-collector-you-have-rights?utm_source=govdelivery

You get a call out of the blue. The caller insists you owe money and says you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay immediately. You have no idea what she’s talking about. What do you do?

01/15/2025

https://www.justice.gov/ust/video/simulated-chapter-7-meeting-creditors

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01/15/2025

https://www.justice.gov/ust/video/simulated-chapter-13-meeting-creditors

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

08/28/2024

We can’t fix Congress until we fix gerrymandering.

07/30/2024

Online career-training company, Career Step, LLC has been ordered to pay $43.5 million in debt cancellation and cash to resolve charges brought by the Federal Trade Commission that alleged the company lured consumers, specifically servicemembers and their families, with deceptive ads that falsely touted inflated employment outcomes, job placement, and partnerships with prominent companies.

07/03/2024

https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2024/07/02/ssbci-covid-small-business-funding-2024-grants.html?utm_source=st&utm_medium=en&utm_campaign=me&utm_content=BA&ana=e_BA_me&j=35941431&senddate=2024-07-03&empos=p2

05/19/2024

https://www.npr.org/2024/05/10/1197959049/zombie-second-mortgages-homeowners-foreclosure

Karen McDonough of Quincy, Mass., was enjoying her tea one morning in the dining room when she saw something odd outside her window: a group of people gathering on her lawn. A man with a clipboard told her that her home no longer belonged to her. It didn't matter that she'd been paying her mortgage....