Consumer complaint received 2017-07-26
Company: FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO
State: AL
Product: Mortgage
Sub-product: Conventional home mortgage
Issue: Struggling to pay mortgage

Complaint:
1. I moved from my home to another state and separated from my husband in XXXX.
2. I knew that the existing low mortgage was manageable by him as the original mortgage was in both of our names and I knew his salary at the time.
3. I was contacted by my then husband in XXXX to give permission to get a new mortgage on the home we co-owned.
4. I gave permission as it was originally his familys home and I did not want any trouble or altercation.
5. When I was contacted by the bank to give written permission I : a. Distinctly asked if I would incur any financial responsibility since thus far I personally maintained good credit.
b. I was verbally assured by the bank representative at that time since the new mortgage would be only in my husbands name, that I would not be responsible.
c. This was not true. But only his name is on the Note for the bank.
6. In XXXX it came to my attention that the he stopped paying the mortgage shortly after obtaining the new mortgage and I believe at that time the foreclosure proceedings were being initiated. I did not receive any notification from the bank before court proceeding started.
7. I contacted a private lawyer for a consultation in XXXX XXXX XXXX where I was living at the time. He presented 3 options which I did pursue : a. Contact the lender : i. They refused to speak to me since I was not on the bank note.
ii. During my second contact they would not speak to me since it was in the hands of the banks attorney.
b. Hire a private attorney to represent me.
i. I could not afford a private attorney ii. I contacted legal services/legal aid and because of the proceedings being held in a different jurisdiction than my residence I could not use these services.
c. If I was not returning to the Island and did not want to challenge the foreclosure, allow it to go through.
8. Ultimately when all else failed, I opted to allow the foreclosure go through despite possible ramifications.
9. I did not relinquish all claim to the house ( QuitClaim ) as advised by the banks attorney since this was clearly on their behalf. I felt I had no legal advice to help me and was completely alone in this matter.
10. I made another attempt to try at resolution. I contacted a mediator headquartered in NY who could negotiate terms between my husband and and I, and with that we could submit our agreement for approval to the bank and court if needed.
11. The attorney for the bank informed me that the Virgin Island courts would only use one of their locally-based mediators which would come at significant cost to me, again which I could not afford. So I proceeded to try and mediate terms on a private level so we could reach a mutual agreement that could be documented. That failed.
12. In XXXX XXXX my divorce from the defendant was finalized.
13. I got the divorce to avoid incurring any further unknown debt my ex-husband may have incurred.
14. I had to prepare and file all the paperwork myself due to financial hardship, so all fees were waived 15. Any documentation that I can summit on this will be what I received through the court since I was not on the note, I have no documentation from the bank.
16. For a number of years the bank was sending communications to my ex-husband at the wrong address, so I do n't know how involved he was in this whole case or if I am being focused on because I am the more accessible. I had to provide the mailing address to the bank 's lawyer and do n't know if it is still the same at this time.
The bank initially involved was First Bank of Puerto Rico. The latest communication is now from Federal National Mortgage Association, et. I was told that this is a XXXX XXXX mortgage holder.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation