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Standard of Need, by County, Effective 7/1/2010 (September 3, 2010) - 2010 standard of need charts by county for households with and without children. Read More  

 

Trainings:

 
Foreclosure Prevention Basics (9/29/2010 - White Plains, NY) - Day one topics will include an overview of subprime lending, the New York foreclosure process including recent changes in the law, interviewing clients and evaluating cases, an overview of potential defenses and loss mitigation options, representing homeowners in mandatory settlement conferences, and the role of housing counselors. Day two will include a more in-depth analysis of federal and state claims and defenses including analyzing a case for Truth in Lending Act violations, other federal statutes, and disclosure violations under Banking Law Sections 6-l and 6-m (NY’s anti-predatory lending law), state common law defenses and issues of standing. Read More 
 
 
Representing Homeowners at Mandatory Settlement Conferences (October 4, 2010 - Utica, NY) All New York State residential homeowners are entitled to a mandatory settlement conference to be held within 60 days of a foreclosure filing.  The intent of the conference is to avoid the unnecessary loss of homeownership. Pro bono lawyers have been approved to represent homeowners for the limited capacity of these settlement conferences. This training will address important considerations for lawyers willing to assist homeowners in this capacity.  Read More 
 
 
Strategies for Maximizing Health Care Services for People with HIV (September 21, 2010 - Albany, NY) This training will provide case managers and other client advocates with basic information about the public health care programs in New York State that are key for people living with HIV/AIDS, including Medicaid, ADAP, Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus.  Read More
 
 

Webinars:

 
2010 Divorce Reform in New York (September 15, 2010) - In 2010, the state legislature passed sweeping legislation that will change the legal landscape for many seeking divorces in New York. This webinar will introduce the new laws addressing the “no-fault” ground, temporary maintenance and attorney’s fees, as well as provide practitioners with information about how to best utilize these laws when representing clients experiencing domestic violence. Read More
 
 
Mortgage Servicing: New NYS Banking Department Regulations and Other Servicing Requirements (September 17, 2010) - This webinar will be an overview of the laws and regulations that govern mortgage loan servicing in New York. Jane Azia, Director of Non-Depository Institutions and Consumer Protection from the NYS Banking Department will join the discussion describing the new Banking Department servicing regulations that go into effect on October 1, 2010. Servicing requirements under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) will be discussed, as well. Read More
Pro Bono Approaches to Helping Homeowners in Foreclosure (September 17, 2010) - This webinar training is designed for pro bono coordinators, attorneys in legal services programs and anyone working or wanting to development pro bono services for homeowners in foreclosure. The training will discuss different approaches that have evolved around the state to involve the private bar in the representation of homeowners in default, including participation at settlement conferences, clinics and foreclosure defense representation. Read More
 
Issues for Foreclosure Units (September 21, 2010) - This webinar training is designed for directors, managers and attorneys involved in the development and implementation of foreclosure units in legal services programs. After a year or more into setting up new programs, this training will focus on ongoing issues and concerns including handling intake, managing caseloads, working with counseling agencies, and working with private lawyers and pro bono programs. We will also discuss the need for on-going funding, beyond 2011 to sustain the programs which have developed. Significant time will be devoted to questions and will be a forum for general discussion about successful approaches programs have developed to deal with the increased volume of cases and ongoing foreclosure issues. Read More 
 
Standing to Sue in Foreclosure Cases and Establishing the Owner and Holder of Mortgages and Notes (September 24, 2010) - This webinar will focus on the hot issues around standing to sue in foreclosure cases how to determine if the plaintiff is the rightful party. Read More 
 
Fannie Mae Loss Mitigation (October 1, 2010) - With Fannie Mae backing so many loans and purchasing more and more delinquent loans, having a basic understanding of the Fannie Mae loss mitigation programs can be vital. This webinar will discuss how to determine whether a loan is serviced by Fannie Mae, the regulations that govern Fannie Mae servicing and the various loss mitigation options available for these loans. Read More 
 
HAMP Update (October 8, 2010) - The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) has evolved considerably since it was first announced in March 2009. This session will review HAMP updates to practitioners already familiar with the basics of HAMP, including newer programs to help people who are unemployed, or underwater. The new HAMP Handbook will be discussed, as well as appealing HAMP denials and HAMP compliance. Read More  
 
Federal Financial Reform, the New Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Impact on Homeowners Facing Foreclosure (October 15, 2010) - Hear about the details of the new federal financial reform and the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau within the Federal Reserve. Read More
 
 
Legal Services Journal - Summer 2010 (August 23, 2010) - Empire Justice Center's quarterly newsletter for civil legal services advocates.  Read More
 
Long Island Domestic Violence Task Force Meeting (9/24/2010) - This bi-annual legal training and meeting is specifically geared to Long Island-based civil legal services attorneys and attorneys who work with residential and non-residential DV programs.  Court-based or legal advocates for DV programs are also welcome.  Read More
 
 
Empire Justice 2010 Survey (8/17/2010) - This summer Empire Justice surveyed advocates familiar with its work to provide feedback on the services it provides and to help shape priorities. This report details the survey findings. Read More