Quote from Roman on September 8, 2025, 6:44 pmHi everyone,
Has anyone here worked with or can recommend an attorney licensed in Pennsylvania who doesn’t require a huge upfront retainer (almost double the Fannie Mae recommended max fee), but instead works on a step-by-step payment basis?
What I mean is something like this:
First stage: payment for drafting and sending the demand letter and initial communication with the borrower or their attorney.
If the borrower refuses, then payment for filing the foreclosure complaint.
If they still resist, then payment for court hearings and related litigation costs, and so on.
Here’s my situation: a few days before the scheduled foreclosure auction in August, the borrowers reinstated their first mortgage with senior lender (bank), and the house was pulled from the sale. Since then, I’ve been looking for a PA-licensed attorney who would be willing to work a case on a small balance. Out of 20 attorneys I contacted, only one responded! And that firm wanted a $5.5K retainer upfront, while the loan balance of junior NPN itself is only about $3.5K.
From a creditor’s standpoint, that just doesn’t look rational — I’d much prefer a phased payment model where investments are justified by the borrower’s reaction and the likelihood of recovery.
If you know any PA attorney who works this way, I’d be very grateful if you could share their contact info.
Thanks a lot!
— Roman
Hi everyone,
Has anyone here worked with or can recommend an attorney licensed in Pennsylvania who doesn’t require a huge upfront retainer (almost double the Fannie Mae recommended max fee), but instead works on a step-by-step payment basis?
What I mean is something like this:
First stage: payment for drafting and sending the demand letter and initial communication with the borrower or their attorney.
If the borrower refuses, then payment for filing the foreclosure complaint.
If they still resist, then payment for court hearings and related litigation costs, and so on.
Here’s my situation: a few days before the scheduled foreclosure auction in August, the borrowers reinstated their first mortgage with senior lender (bank), and the house was pulled from the sale. Since then, I’ve been looking for a PA-licensed attorney who would be willing to work a case on a small balance. Out of 20 attorneys I contacted, only one responded! And that firm wanted a $5.5K retainer upfront, while the loan balance of junior NPN itself is only about $3.5K.
From a creditor’s standpoint, that just doesn’t look rational — I’d much prefer a phased payment model where investments are justified by the borrower’s reaction and the likelihood of recovery.
If you know any PA attorney who works this way, I’d be very grateful if you could share their contact info.
Thanks a lot!
— Roman
Quote from Bill on September 9, 2025, 10:33 am@roman
Rob also just emailed you the Attorney contact information.
Jennie Shnayder, Esq.Licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New YorkShnayder Law Firm LLCP: (215) 834-3103, (646) 668-5629
Rob also just emailed you the Attorney contact information.
Quote from Roman on September 9, 2025, 1:08 pmThank you Bill and Rob for your help!
By the way, today I received an email from the attorney I am corresponding with, that they are ready for staged payment and that the first stage costs 5 hours of work at a rate of $350/hour. The cost is still shocking.
Thank you Bill and Rob for your help!
By the way, today I received an email from the attorney I am corresponding with, that they are ready for staged payment and that the first stage costs 5 hours of work at a rate of $350/hour. The cost is still shocking.
Quote from Bill on September 10, 2025, 12:14 pmYes, no doubt Attorney's are expensive. Remember that Attorney fees & costs that are Recoverable expenses, can be added to the loan.
- Lender Advances / Legal Recoverable Foreclosure Cost & Fees - Foreclosure Costs: These must be reasonable and actually incurred before they're recoverable against the borrower. Examples include auction advertisements, sheriff's costs, filing fees, service of process, and certified mailings, including Attorney Fees. After you pay your Attorney Recoverable Legal Invoices, make sure to send Proof of Payment with the Invoice to your Loan Servicer to add to the Loan Payoff Amount.
Yes, no doubt Attorney's are expensive. Remember that Attorney fees & costs that are Recoverable expenses, can be added to the loan.