Dann Law Coronavirus Response

Update from DannLaw on Corona Virus Emergency Legal Issues from Founding Partner Marc E. Dann:

We are open and reachable during business hours and beyond (My cell phone is 330-651-3131). You can be sure I’m either at home or at the office because like you I’m really not allowed to go anywhere else.  We are happy to answer any questions you have about your existing cases and the many legal issues that are arising for our friends and clients on almost an hourly basis. Our toll-free line will reach a lawyer 24 hours 877-475-8100 Here are several things to remember:

1.  We can arrange for phone and video conferences for new and existing clients.
2. If you are making retainer payments they can be made online.
   For Ohio they can be made here: DannLaw Payment Link
   For New Jersey they can be made here: DannLaw NJ Payment Link
3. If you are experiencing additional financial hardship related to the Virus Emergency and need to make financial arrangements please reach out to us right away.
4. If new issues arise we are trying to stay on top of legal developments that are most important to consumers, borrowers, homeowners and small businesses please reach out to us and we will try to find answers for you.
5. If you are unable to make your mortgage payment or payments on other consumer debts, please reach out to us so that we can talk through options and alternative strategies. We can’t help you with what we don’t know about so please reach out to us.
6. For our clients in Chapter 13 Bankruptcies: if you are unable to make a Chapter 13 Payment, please reach out to us as soon as possible so that we can walk through options and alternative strategies.  If we can preemptively work with the Chapter 13 Trustee and the Court regarding payments, that will help avoid unnecessary Motions to Dismiss.
7. For our clients in Chapter 13 Bankruptcies (and all of our clients in general): as of right now the National Emergency has not stopped the deadlines for filing your tax returns.

Here are some other important developments:

1. Ohioans can now apply for and receive unemployment benefits immediately if they are laid off due to the emergency. Here is information about how to apply online for unemployment benefits.
2. SBA Loans should be available to Small Business Owners facing financial challenges from the current situation. Here is how to apply to the SBA.
3. Judge Brendan Sheehan in Cuyahoga County has issued a 60 day stay on foreclosure sales and on the prosecution of foreclosure cases. See the details here.  Please note that all deadlines that apply to those in foreclosure or who are working to resolve disputes with their mortgage companies are not set aside. Rules and regulations have not been adjusted. Lawsuits that have been filed and served must be answered. Any matter that needs to be objected to or appealed would not be covered by this order.  This is good news but please keep in close touch with us about your existing case or any issues you might learn about relating to your mortgage. If you have questions, please email Attorney Whitney Kaster at wkaster@dannlaw.com.
4. While Cuyahoga County has stayed these cases, many other courts in Ohio have not. One of our Partners, Brian Flick in his role as Ohio Chairperson of the National Association of Consumer Attorneys wrote to Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor on March 16, 2020 asking that she issue guidance to local courts to stay all non-essential Debt Collection and Eviction Cases and to postpone all pending Sherriff’s sales until the State of Emergency Declaration is terminated. If you are in a County that has not adopted emergency procedures staying civil cases, please email bflick@dannlaw.com as he and NACA are committed to ensuring access and due process to all consumers during the pandemic.
5. Both the Hamilton County Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas have issued a 30 day stay of all civil and criminal trials in the Courts (with limited exceptions).  See the details here. This is good news but please keep in close touch with us about an existing case or any issues you might learn of related to your case.  If you have questions, please email Brian Flick at bflick@dannlaw.com.
6. The New Jersey Legislature has enacted statewide mortgage relief including forbearance of payments and a stay on foreclosure proceedings. Here is what we know about it. The same disclaimer applies here:  Please note that all deadlines that apply to those in foreclosure or who are working to resolve disputes with their mortgage companies are not set aside. Rules and regulations have not been adjusted. Lawsuits that have been filed and served must be answered. Any matter that needs to be objected to or appealed would not be covered by this order. Javier Merino stands ready to answer all of your New Jersey Consumer Law Questions jmerino@dannlaw.com
7. My earlier post on how to protect yourself if you experience financial hardship is here.
8. The Ohio State Bar has advice on what your employer may and may not do.
9. The Veterans Administration has directed servicers to not report to credit agencies or assess late fees to borrowers who are late as a result of the virus.

For more information on that contact bbehrens@dannlaw.com

As always we stand ready to help our friends, neighbors and clients as this crisis unfolds. Never hesitate to call 877-475-8100 or email at intake@dannlaw.com or mdann@dannlaw.com.