What's happening
This bill guarantees financially eligible homeowners in foreclosure the right to court-appointed counsel in New York State.
Why it matters
Expands the right to free legal representation. By explicitly guaranteeing court-appointed counsel for financially eligible homeowners facing foreclosure, the bill treats the risk of losing one’s home with similar seriousness as criminal or family court proceedings, recognizing the severe and life-altering impact of foreclosure.
May reduce wrongful or avoidable foreclosures. With legal support, homeowners are more likely to understand their rights, respond appropriately to foreclosure actions, and possibly negotiate alternatives with lenders, which could help keep more families in their homes.
Requires clear notification of this new right. The foreclosure notice that homeowners receive would now inform them of their eligibility for assigned counsel, increasing awareness and potentially improving access to legal help for those who might not otherwise seek it out.
Integrates foreclosure defense into an established legal services framework. By amending the County Law’s Article 18-B (which currently covers criminal and certain family/surrogate’s court cases), the bill leverages existing public defense structures to deliver this new right, which could streamline implementation but may also raise questions about resources and capacity.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Lawyers for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Free Lawyers for Foreclosures
In Senate Committee · Housing, Construction And Community Development · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5231
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 7, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. MOSLEY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the real property actions and proceedings law and the county law, in relation to representation of certain persons in private residential foreclosure actions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The real property actions and proceedings law is amended by adding a new section 1308-a to read as follows:
§ 1308-a. Assignment of counsel. A homeowner in a foreclosure action who is financially unable to obtain counsel for representation in such action shall have a right to assigned counsel by the court. Assignment of counsel issued under this section shall be implemented as provided in article eighteen-B of the county law.
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 1303 of the real property actions and proceedings law, as amended by section 5 of part Q of chapter 73 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
3. The notice to any mortgagor required by paragraph (a) of subdivision one of this section shall appear as follows:
Help for Homeowners in Foreclosure
New York State Law requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully. Summons and Complaint
You are in danger of losing your home. If you fail to respond to the summons and complaint in this foreclosure action, you may lose your home. Please read the summons and complaint carefully. You should immediately contact an attorney or your local legal aid office to obtain advice on how to protect yourself. Sources of Information and Assistance
The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09444-01-9
A. 5231 2
aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. You may be entitled to assigned counsel if you are financially unable to obtain representation.
To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at (enter number) or visit the Department's website at (enter web address).
Rights and Obligations YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. You have the right to stay in your home during the foreclosure process. You are not required to leave your home unless and until your property is sold at auction pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale. Regardless of whether you choose to remain in your home, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY and pay property taxes in accordance with state and local law. Foreclosure rescue scams
Be careful of people who approach you with offers to "save" your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner's distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services.
§ 3. The article heading of article 18-B of the county law, as amended by chapter 682 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
REPRESENTATION OF PERSONS ACCUSED OF CRIME OR PARTIES BEFORE THE
FAMILY COURT OR SURROGATE'S COURT OR IN CERTAIN FORECLOSURE
ACTIONS
§ 4. The opening paragraph of section 722 of the county law, as amended by chapter 7 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
The governing body of each county and the governing body of the city in which a county is wholly contained shall place in operation throughout the county a plan for providing counsel to persons charged with a crime or who are entitled to counsel pursuant to section two hundred sixty-two or section eleven hundred twenty of the family court act, article six-C of the correction law, section four hundred seven of the surrogate's court procedure act [or], article ten of the mental hygiene law or section thirteen hundred eight-a of the real property actions and proceedings law, who are financially unable to obtain counsel. Each plan shall also provide for investigative, expert and other services necessary for an adequate defense. The plan shall conform to one of the following:
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.