University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Clinic Aids Many Wayne County Homeowners and Their Families

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Clinic is set to argue a motion to set aside an order effectively stripping over 70 Wayne County homeowners of ownership interests, leaving them faced with wrongful eviction from their homes. A large number of the affected homeowners are expected to be present for the motion hearing scheduled for Monday, December 17, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at the Wayne County Circuit Court, Rm. #1901.

Paramount Land Holdings, locally funded by the Detroit Police and Fire Pension Fund, purchased foreclosed properties for as little as $10. Through land contracts, it sold them for inflated prices to buyers who were assured that Paramount had paid all back taxes. Homeowners learned otherwise when Wayne County began foreclosure proceedings for back taxes. As a result, many homeowners stopped making their monthly payments to Paramount.

The Receiver, appointed by the Wayne County Circuit Court to maintain Paramount properties, obtained a Court Order to Terminate Land Contract Interests, to gain exclusive possession, and to quiet title. Essentially, the Order seeks to strip the homeowners from their property and evict them from their homes. Shockingly, the Receiver obtained the order without providing the homeowners any opportunity to contest the motion. The Receiver failed to serve notice on the affected homeowners stating that their rights would be affected through the motion. The Receiver seeks to take the properties without filing a complaint, obtaining a summons, or even adding the homeowners as parties to the proceeding.

The Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Clinic represents some of the homeowners who face loss of their homes, eviction, and homelessness as a result of the Receiver's hasty actions. The Clinic seeks to correct this injustice through its motion to set aside the Court's Order to strip the homeowner's property rights and give exclusive possession to the Receiver.

Media are invited to attend the hearing and UDM representatives can speak about the case over the phone or before/after the hearing.

About UDM Law's Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Clinic Students represent victims of predatory lending practices in federal and state courts to stop homeowners from losing their homes due to foreclosure. Clinic students handle cases involving mortgage fraud, foreclosure rescue scams, and loan servicing errors. They have the opportunity to interview clients, argue motions, negotiate settlements, and conduct trials. In addition, students engage in community outreach through presentations and development of written materials to educate homeowners on foreclosure remedy options and rescue scams.

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