That is a direct quote from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office on the morning of the March 5, 2013 Sheriff Sale.
My clients were mortified when I informed them of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office statement but “thanked God that their attorney stopped the sale of their home.”
How would you feel if your house was listed for Sheriff Sale and it was sold because you were unable to stop the Sheriff Sale because the Sheriff’s Office “ain’t answering their phones today.”
This is the chronology of events that led up to March 5, 2013.
Clients: Husband and Wife living in Philadelphia suffer severe medical issues resulting in the foreclosure of their home. Clients recovers from severe medical illness and wish to stop the Sheriff Sale and re-pay the mortgage arrears.
Attorney: Advises clients to file chapter 13 bankruptcy on March 4, 2013 in order to stop March 5, 2013 Sheriff Sale. Chapter 13 will stop Sheriff Sale and allow clients to re-pay mortgage arrears over 60 months at $150/month. Attorney calls Sheriff’s Office 5 times on March 4, 2013 and receives busy signal. Sheriff’s Office does not answer their telephone(s) 5 times on Monday, March 4, 2013. Attorney proceeds to fax clients bankruptcy petition to Sheriff’s Office 3 times.
Attorney calls Sheriff’s Office 6 times on March 5, 2013 and receives busy signal. Sheriff’s Office does not answer their telephone(s) 6 times on Monday, March 5, 2013 between 8.00 AM – 10.00 AM. Sheriff Sale begins at 10.00 AM.
Attorney loses it and walks down to the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office and demands to know the truth. Attorney asks point blank why the phones are not been answered.
Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office: “We ain’t answering the phones today.” Were too busy.
Attorney: Please remove my client’s home from the March 5, 2013 Sheriff Sale.
Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office: Okay.
In situations like that, more than ever, you need an attorney who is willing to take extraordinary measures to look out for you.