Blog
Maybe there's just not enough money to support each local municipality having its own courthouse and location, but I've been made aware that on September 1, 2014, the following Municipal Courts have "merged:" Barrington, Haddon Heights, Mount Ephraim and Oaklyn. All court personnel and court sessions are now going to be held at the Oaklyn MunicipalRead more
New Jersey is on the cusp of codifying "collaborative divorce" as it relates to matrimonial law. The New Jersey Family Collaborative Law Act (Assembly Bill No. 1477 and Senate Bill No. 1224, hereinafter referred to as the "Act") unanimously passed both the General Assembly and Senate on June 23, 2014, and June 26, 2014, respectively.Read more
The headlines yesterday shouted the news from up on high: “GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE SIGNS BILL ENDING LIFETIME ALIMONY!!!” After literally two and a half years of contentious debate, lobbying, negotiation, and especially consternation, New Jersey did indeed see passage of a fairly sweeping and genuinely ambitious alimony reform package. But in reality, what does theRead more
In today's mail I received my brand new.. hot-off-the-press 2015 Edition of Gann Law's "Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey." Quite possibly our favorite rule at SimoniLaw is R. 4:64, which is "Foreclosure of Mortgages, Condominium Association Liens and Tax Sale Certificates." The following is a summary of the changes andRead more
A grainy and silent video documenting an ugly truth is making its way through America’s inboxes and Facebook pages today, splashed across the internet for all eyes to see. That ugly truth is the scourge of domestic violence and it is currently embodied by New Jersey’s own Ray Rice, now former running back for theRead more
The New Jersey Appellate Court published a decision in the case of New Century Financial Services Inc. v. Oughla, App. Div. (Accurso, J.A.D.), involving closed and charged-off credit card debt. The Court considered the proofs necessary for the plaintiffs to prevail on summary judgment in an action to collect an assigned debt on a closedRead more
In a recent New York Times article, Bank of America Papers Show Conflict and Trickery in Mortgages, published on August 21, 2014, details how Bank of America employees would "fix" or alter records in an attempt to "trick" a screening system for FHA insured mortgage loans. When using this system, Bank of America sometimes changedRead more
With my practice located in Camden County, it was certainly news when Chris Christie nominated Judge Mary Eva Colalillo as Camden County's newest prosecutor. Judge Colalillo's courtroom was that of Camden County's Chancery / General Equity Court, and now with that particular judicial seat vacant, I have looked forward to the news of which JudgeRead more
Here is a copy of the "Wells Fargo Foreclosure Manual", which has recently surfaced in a New York foreclosure case. This manual is the subject of current, ongoing litigation. It sets forth certain damaging information, in the context of how Wells Fargo not only processes foreclosures, but takes direct and affirmative steps to "fix" and/orRead more
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") is alleging some heavy stuff against New Jersey's own PHH Corporation and its subsidiaries, such as PHH Mortgage Corporation and PHH Home Loans, LLC. The allegation is made by way of an administrative proceeding against PHH. Representing homeowners, I find myself raising arguments that often go to the heart of loan origination fraud.Read more