When I filed my bankruptcy paperwork with the Merrillville offices of Peter Francis Geraci I told my attorney Mr. Higgenson that I had a pending law suit filed. I gave him the paperwork from the then holder of that account. He said that he would take care of it. And, they indeed were notified of the pending bankruptcy.
An attorney at the time who worked for the firm that was taking me to court, J. Brian Steele, left that firm and took my file with him. Subsequently he went to court even though his former employer had been informed of my bankruptcy. They were awarded judgement against me and a lien placed on my home.
I didn't find out about the lien until I tried to sell my home some 5-6 years later. At which time I tried to get the lien removed. I provided copies of my bankruptcy paperwork but was informed that Mr. Higgenson did not file the proper paperwork in my bankruptcy to keep this from happening. I even went to the trouble of taking my bankruptcy paperwork to the Porter County courthouse to present to the judge. At which time he withdrew the judgement with prejudice. This however did nothing to lift the lien against my property.
I contacted the law office in Merrillville of Mr. Geraci to talk to Attorney Higgenson. I was told that he no longer worked there. So I tried first to find where he went. I was unable to find him, so I talked to the office manager and explained my problem to him. After several calls he informed me that the proper paperwork had not been filed on my behalf and the only way to resolve the issue was to re-open my bankruptcy at additional costs.
I feel that this was not my fault and that I provided the correct information for this not to happen. After explaining this to the office manager, he stopped returning my calls. I have been ripped off and my credit rating is suffering for it. Not to mention that I am rapidly approaching retirement age and am unable to sell my home. Or refinance it at this time because of the adverse effects of Mr. Geraci's inept attorney.
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