CVLS Seminar: Protecting Vulnerable Homeowners from Zombie Debt

Across the Chicago region, a growing number of homeowners are facing foreclosure threats over old “zombie” second mortgages—debts that lenders once stopped collecting on, only to resurface years later in the hands of debt buyers. Many of these debts are time-barred, already resolved, or significantly overstated due to poor recordkeeping, yet homeowners are still pressured to pay or risk losing their homes. This steadily growing problem has put more and more families at risk, which is why CVLS is working to equip attorneys and volunteers to fight back.

This CLE-eligible seminar will cover the legal and historical context behind zombie mortgage debt, the rights homeowners have under the FDCPA and related consumer protection laws, and practical litigation strategies for defending these cases—from intake through discovery and motion practice. Attendees will also learn how Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) connects eligible homeowners with volunteer attorneys, and how attorneys and law students can get involved in this growing area of practice.

 This seminar will be offered both in-person downtown and remotely via ZOOM.