Obtain Legal Advice

An attorney can advise you about your options and legal liability.

• To find out if you are eligible for free or low cost legal assistance, contact a legal aid organization in your county or one of the organizations listed at www.azbar.org/LawyersHelpingYou/freelegal.cfm or www.azlawhelp.org/housing.cfm

• Contact the Lawyer Referral Service in your county where you can consult with an attorney for a small fee for a half-hour consultation.

Maricopa County: www.maricopabar.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=16 (602) 257-4200.

Pima County: www.pimacountybar.org/web/lawyer-referral-service-lrs (520) 623-4625.

• Attorneys who are State Bar Real Estate Law Certified Specialists can be located at www.azbar.org/LegalResources/findspecialist.cfm.

Obtain Tax Advice

• For Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation tax information, go to www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=179414,00.html

• Attorneys who are State Bar Tax Law Certified Specialists can be located at www.azbar.org/LegalResources/findspecialist.cfm.

Be Aware of the Consequences of Committing "Waste"

Damaging the property or removing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, cabinets, air conditioners, and water heaters may result in liability to the lender for "waste." In other words, the lender may be able to sue you for damages if you have physically abused, damaged or destroyed any part of the property.