Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Conflict of intrest/ lien

we bought our house with no money down provided that the seller finance us part of the money (like a 2nd mortgage). The contract that we signed said nothing about finance charges for non payment, just that we had to pay it off by a certain date (which we will). The seller has now come to us through his new attorney stating that we owe him for interest and attorney fees which add up to almost what we financed. This contract was drawn up by an attorney that represented both of us. Is this a conflict of interest? Is this contract still legal?

We are re-financing our house now and have had a difficult time due to the seller being on the lein. We have now been forced to sign a new note to pay for the fees and interest. Is there any way around this? Can we be forced to sign this new note in order to keep my house (they are threatening to forclose)?


Asked on 10/19/03, 5:31 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Kenneth J. Ashman Ashman Law Offices, LLC

Re: Conflict of intrest/ lien

It's very difficult to get a feeling for all of the material facts of your issue b/c I would have to take a look at the loan documents, etc.

From what you say, however, it sounds as if the lawyer was acting under a conflict of interest.

Feel free to contact me if you would like to provide more details.

-- Kenneth J. Ashman; www.AshmanLawOffices.com; [email protected]

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Answered on 10/20/03, 1:56 am
John Pembroke John J. Pembroke & Associates LLC

Re: Conflict of intrest/ lien

The most serious issue is that you are being threatened with foreclosure, and you must take action to defend your rights. I recommend that you obtain legal counsel immediately before you sign anything else with the seller or the seller's attorney. You have certain rights in foreclosure, and to redeem the property, which you can pursue instead of signing a new note. You can also attempt to refinance, as the current noteholder is entitled to no more than money at this point. once you have refinanced, you can then sue both the seller and the attorney for any cause of action you may have.

I can't advise you on whether additional charges for interest and attorney's fees are appropriate without reviewing the documents and obtaining further facts about the initial transaction. You should give a copy of all of the documents to your lawyer, when you hire one.

Finally you have a malpractice law suit against an attorney representing both sides of a real etate sale. If that was the case, you have a much stronger suit against the attorney than the seller. And, you may consider a complaint against the lawyer in the admisitrative area. Before you proceed, however, you should be sure to consult another lawyer representing only you to confirm which course of action is most appropriate in the circumstances, and in what order will give you the best results at the least cost in enforcing your rights.

Our comments are based on treating your question as a hypothetical. Accordingly, our comments could be substantially and materially different were we advised of all of the relevant facts and circumstances. Our comments are by necessity general in nature, and should not be relied upon in taking or forgoing action in your circumstances without retaining an attorney. In order to fully explore your legal matter, you should meet with us or another attorney and bring to any such meeting all relevant documents and correspondence, and any other relevant facts.

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As you are aware, in Illinois there are various deadlines for filing a complaint, filing an answer to a complaint, or taking other action in order to preserve your legal rights, and avoid a complete loss of those rights. You should retain counsel immediately in order to be fully advised of your rights, and to be fully informed of the applicable time period within which those rights must be asserted. If you were to delay in doing so, it might result in your potential cause of action being forever barred.

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Answered on 10/20/03, 10:40 am
Mary McDonagh McDonagh-Faherty Law Offices

Re: Conflict of intrest/ lien

Is this a conflict of interest? There does seem to be one on the face of your descriptions. Is this contract still legal? The contract you signed sounds to be legal. We have now been forced to sign a new note to pay for the fees and interest. You cannot be forced to do anything.

Here is the thing: FIRST, get your paperwork to an attorney - it sounds like the seller has realized he got a bad deal and is now trying to fix the problem. An attorney can tell you whether that is the case for sure. SECOND, it does sound like the attorney has a conflict of interest. This can also be determined by an attorney. THIRD - if you are making your payments on time according to the contract that both parties signed then it does not sound like they have a basis for foreclosing.

This all sounds like a shady deal. You need to see an attorney before you get in over your heads here.

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Answered on 10/20/03, 5:49 pm


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