HOA/Condo Association Liens in Chicago: Priority, Payoffs, and Pitfalls
Association debt doesn’t behave like a normal bill. In Chicago condos and HOAs, lien priority, payoff letters, and §22.1 resale disclosures can make or break a closing or a foreclosure. This guide shows how The Bow Tie Attorney and Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib turn confusion into a clean, underwritable plan. Condo and HOA liens in Chicago […]
Surplus Funds After a Judicial Sale in Cook County: How to Claim What’s Yours
When a foreclosed property sells for more than the total owed on the loan and court-approved costs, the extra money is called surplus funds (or excess proceeds). In Cook County, those funds are not released to you automatically. You must file a petition in the Chancery Division, notify any interested parties, and obtain a signed […]
¿ICE te detiene? Protege a tu familia, tu hogar y tu dinero — Charla gratuita de 45 minutos (en línea)
Sobre la charla Legal Education Esta sesión está pensada para familias en Illinois—padres, cuidadores, hijos adultos que ayudan a sus padres, propietarios e inquilinos—que quieren un plan simple y humano para mantener a los niños protegidos, la casa estable y las cuentas al día si ocurre una detención. Te llevas una Lista de Preparación Familiar […]
ICE Detained? Protect Your Family, Home & Money — Free 45-Minute Briefing
About This Event Legal Education This is a focused, compassion-first briefing for Illinois families—parents, caregivers, adult children helping their parents, homeowners and renters alike—who want a simple plan to keep kids safe, protect the home, and steady the finances if detention happens. You’ll leave with a one-page Family Readiness Checklist (Illinois) and a link to […]
Zombie Second Mortgages in Illinois (2025): Cook County Playbook
What is a “zombie” second mortgage? A zombie second is a junior lien—often a home-equity or piggyback 80/20 loan from the mid-2000s—that went quiet for years and is now being collected again. In recent years, regulators flagged a wave of attempts to enforce these aged seconds, sometimes after servicing transfers or debt-buyer purchases. If a […]
Realtor Drop-In Q&A — Foreclosure Solutions & Compliant Commission
About This Event Legal Education Realtor Drop-In Q&A — Foreclosure Solutions & Compliant Commission (Chicago • Oct 24 • 12–2 PM) When a listing turns distressed, speed and clarity decide whether you close—or watch the file spiral toward sale. This open-door Q&A is a working session for Chicagoland realtors who want straight, practical answers on […]
Buying a Home Is Possible for Everyone — Aurora Home Buyer Seminar
About This Event Legal Education Navigate the home-buying process with clear, practical steps—so you can protect your assets today and secure your family’s future tomorrow. This essential session for first-time and immigrant buyers gives you the exact knowledge, tools, and next actions to purchase safely—even if you don’t have traditional documentation. You’ll learn realistic financing […]
Private Money Lending Lawyers in Chicago | The Bow Tie Attorney
Sharp in law. Connected in your deal. Illinois real estate counsel • Broker‑savvy • Deal‑first mindset Private money lending counsel—structured fast, documented right, and closed with clean title Book a Consultation Join the Community The Bow Tie Advantage for Lenders & Borrowers Lenders/Investors Structure private/hard money loans for flips, BRRRR, rehabs, and small commercial. Draft […]
Illinois Foreclosure Timeline (2025): A Cook County Homeowner’s Guide | The Bow Tie Attorney
The Illinois foreclosure timeline is a judicial process: the lender must sue in court and obtain a judgment before any sale. In Cook County, cases run through the Circuit Court (Chancery Division) with specific steps and windows to act. What You’ll Walk Away With The step-by-step Illinois timeline (Cook County focus). Which deadlines matter: appearance/answer, […]
Family, Protection & Purpose: Francesca Sarmiento on Life as a Family Law Attorney
Episode Overview In this episode of The Bow Tie Podcast, The Bow Tie Attorney sits down with Francesca Sarmiento, a Florida family law attorney and founder of Sarmiento Law Firm, for a grounded conversation about protection, dignity, and the purpose behind practicing law. We compare Florida injunctions and Illinois orders of protection, unpack a recent […]