HEAP - Energy grants to get the heat on

As its starting to get cold outside, Suffolk residents should be mindful of the Home Energy Assistance Program. This program offers financial assistance to help pay energy bills. Notate, this is not a loan, but assistance, so if you are in need permanently or on an emergency basis, check out this program by clicking here.

Qualification for the program is based upon your monthly income with reference to the number of household occupants. So first check out your paycheck and than see if you qualify.

Also, you can qualify regardless if your energy bill is in your name or part of your rent. Don't be ashamed if you need help, instead get the heat on because with a good night's rest you will be more productive and perform better at work. Thereafter, you can help someone else in need in the future.

Gov's CFPB offers centralized reporting for mortgage complaints

If you weren't aware, the Fed Gov launched the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this year and its starting to take names. Beyond a positive attempt to reframe the HUD-1, which all NY real estate professionals should take an interest in, the CFPB just launched a mortgage complaint hotline and web portal. Go check out the website at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/ to learn more.

While its still unclear what the extent of involvement in mortgage problems the CFPB will have, at the least, this new project provides a centralized place to submit complaints under the scary auspices of the government. Additionally, it is hoped that this new project will bring more attention to what has been this generation's epidemic, the housing bubble bursting. Maybe this project can help to light a fire under loan servicers to throw out their fax shredders and actually acknowledge receipt of workout documents and requests for information instead of blankedly claiming that the borrower has failed to comply.

Upcoming Free CLE - Property Wars: Real Estate Issues Incident to Divorce

The Long Island Education Board is excited to offer a brand new Free CLE course entitled Property Wars: Real Estate Issues Incident to Divorce.

Thanks to our event sponsor - PDE Title Services, LLC, this course will be offered on the following dates:

• 1/11/12 - Bridgehampton
• 2/29/12 - Manhattan
• 3/28/12 - Melville 

Registration for this free Continuing Legal Education course in Bridgehampton on Long Island is now available. Click here to register. 

Property Wars: Real Estate Issues Incident to Divorce

While every divorce isn't the War of the Roses, no one likes to part with their home or commercial property and very often they are motivated to fight for what they believe to be theirs. In fact, many times divorcing parties will shop lawyers until they hear what they want to hear. Yet, this isn't limited to divorce lawyers. Often, the parties will seek real estate attorneys to move their property around before, during or after a divorce in order to circumvent the law. In the alternative, many divorces are settled amicably where a real estate transaction remains necessary incident to the divorce.

This 2 credit CLE course is designed to educate practitioners about the overlap between these 2 differing fields of law: matrimonial and real estate. In each field attorneys are often called upon to engage incident to the other. Following your attendance you will gain insight into both fields and become more familiarized with the statutes, cases and rules in the one that you don't typically engage. After all, clients like the Roses will go all the way to the end. You need to learn how to get out of the way of the falling chandelier. Credits: 2*

*Application for accreditation of this course or program in New York is currently pending*