If the homeowner wants to keep the property, the first step should be to contact the mortgage company to explore any available options. If there are no other workable options for the homeowner, they may stop the foreclosure sale by filing a bankruptcy case.  In most cases, a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy  allows the homeowner to catch up on the missed mortgage payments over time.  Two very important benefits of a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy are that the property does not need to have any equity and the homeowner will not lose the equity that has accumulated.

There are also many investors that offer services that will stop the foreclosure sale and allow the homeowner to keep the property.  Some of these services are viable options, but we caution anyone when dealing with real estate investors. It is extremely important to read every document that you intend to sign and to obtain a copy of every document and agreement.  You should also seek the advice of an attorney if you have any questions about the documents involved.   However, there are many trustworthy investors that in fact want to help homeowners, but there are also some whose only intent is to steal all of the equity in the property.  If you are facing foreclosure and would like assistance in negotiating with your mortgage company or investors, or are considering a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, do not hesitate to call us.

Once foreclosure proceedings begin, the mortgage company is required to provide notice of the sale and to give the homeowner an opportunity to dispute the debt. Sometimes the procedures are not followed properly and provide a basis for objecting to the foreclosure sale.  If you believe that Maryland foreclosure proceedings have been initiated against you improperly or that a Maryland foreclosure sale was conducted improperly, contact us for assistance.

If a property is sold at a foreclosure auction, there will be an accounting of the sale.  This accounting lists the proceeds from the sale and outlines where those proceeds were applied.  If the proceeds from the auction were not sufficient to pay the outstanding mortgage balance, costs, and liens on the property there will be a deficiency.  The homeowner is responsible for paying the deficiency even though they no longer own the property.  In some cases, the proceeds from the sale exceed the mortgage balance, outstanding liens, and foreclosure costs.  In this case, there are surplus proceeds from the sale and the homeowner should make a claim for this money.  If your property was sold at a foreclosure sale, you should carefully review the accounting of the sale to determine if there is a deficiency or surplus proceeds.  If you need assistance with post foreclosure matters in Maryland, contact us right away.

Take heed not to fall for law practices who advertise being the most inexpensive firm around, or you may run the risk of having low quality legal services for a low price. Instead, come to Bascietto & Bregman, where after reviewing your case and its complexity, the skill and resources required, and the time that will be needed, we will give you a fair fee that will best reflect the services we will provide you.

Yes, legal fees can be expensive, but they can never equal the value of your life, your record, and your reputation.

Personalized Estate Planning Services

If you need to have a will or trust prepared, contact the attorneys at Bascietto & Bregman, LLC.  We will meet with you to discuss your objectives and help to document them properly.  Our experienced lawyers will take the time to identify your specific needs and counsel you regarding your choices.  Personalized service is a hallmark of our firm.

Establishing Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney (POAs)

We can create your trust and assist you with the process of funding it.  In addition, we can help you clearly state your wishes in advance health care directives and powers of attorney (POAs) for the management of property or for health care decisions.

The Process of Probate/Estate Dispute

We represent executors and beneficiaries in ordinary probate administration matters.  We also represent the same classes of persons in all types of estate disputes, including will contests, accounting issues,  and breach of fiduciary claims.

• Sole Proprietorship: A business owned and operated by one person. The proprietor supplies capital and manages the business, makes all decisions, retains all profits, bears all losses, and is personally liable for the debts of the business.
• General Business Partnership: An association of two or more persons as co owners to carry on a business for profit. Each partner contributes money, property, labor, and skill to the partnership, is entitled to a proportionate share of the profits, and is personally responsible for losses. Profits are taxed whether or not withdrawn by partners.
• Corporation: A separate legal entity organized for business purposes. It is owned by shareholders who elect a board of directors to manage. It is a separate entity, can sue and be sued, enter into contracts, own property in its corporate name. Shareholders and officers generally are not liable for debts, in absence of fraud or disregard of corporate formalities.
• Limited Liability Company: An entity taxed like a partnership, but whose owners have limited liability as if they were stockholders of a corporation. The owners manage the business pursuant to an Operating Agreement.
• Others: Limited partnership, joint venture, nonprofit corporation, ‘S’ corporation.

Our legal services include:

• Formation of business 
• Business transactions 
• Leases 
• Contracts 
• Franchise and Licensing Agreements 
• Sales, liquidations and dissolutions 
• Business litigation 

Other legal issues affecting business

The attorneys of Bascietto & Bregman, LLC have the experience required to vigorously defend your rights in all of these matters and more.  We take pride in providing personal care to our clients.  Our lawyers will spend the time necessary to get to know you and your case.  When we build a legal strategy, it is built specifically with your needs in mind.  We are here for you.  Our civil litigation attorneys evaluate and advise clients on professional and personal matters that may require litigation.  Understanding how to prepare your case, the steps and procedures involved, as well as how to leverage your negotiating position, requires the advice of a skilled, experienced attorney.

To find out more about what our dedicated commercial and civil litigation attorneys can do for you, call us at  301-362-0009.

Our firm represents clients in all types of business litigation, including:

• Breach of contract disputes
• Foreclosure
• Real estate litigation
• Partnership disputes
• And all other business transactional matters

We also counsel our clients in methods and procedures designed to minimize business or contract disputes from the outset (proactive measures).

Unfortunately, litigation is expensive.  Before advising our client to go that route, we look at alternative methods to resolve the dispute, including effective negotiation, exploration of pre-litigation settlement possibilities, and alternative dispute resolution.  However, when litigation is unavoidable, we will be professional and aggressive advocates for our clients.

At the Law Offices of Bascietto & Bregman, our criminal law attorneys are among the most tenacious, committed, and aggressive lawyers in the business, and we will do what we can to represent you and make sure that you are treated fairly by the law.

We are experienced criminal trial attorneys who understand the law, and we will work diligently to investigate your case and defend you in court if necessary.

We represent clients throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia.

When you are arrested for committing a crime, you are entitled to certain rights under federal and state laws, and the Law Offices of Bascietto & Bregman is committed to defending you and protecting these rights for you. If you need an aggressive criminal defense lawyer to defend you during a jury trial, our attorneys can do the job for you. You have a right to have the best representation possible, and we are here to help you.

Being charged with committing a criminal offense is a serious matter, and we take our jobs seriously when it comes to proving your innocence and protecting your freedom.

Our criminal law attorneys represent clients in the areas of:

DUI / DWI:  In Maryland and the District of Columbia, persons are charged with driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs (DWI), driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), and operating while impaired (OWI).  An experienced DWI / DUI lawyer understands the complicated procedures involved, the problems with breathalyzer samples, field sobriety tests (FSTs), the legality of the stop, and your constitutional rights.  Our attorneys can also represent you in any MVA / DMV hearings regarding driver’s license suspension or revocation procedures, which is one of the many consequences of being charged with a DUI  or DWI.

Theft Crimes:  We take criminal charges involving theft very seriously because they have the potential to ruin your record and reputation, not to mention carry jail time and heavy fines.  Whether charges with theft, burglary, robbery, auto theft, forgery, fraud, unauthorized use, or shoplifting, you need an attorney who understands your rights and knows how to investigate violations of your rights, including search and seizure issues and any statements made to the police, including confessions.

Assaults:  Regardless of the circumstances, if charged with a crime involving accusations of violence or assault, it is a serious matter.  You need an experienced attorney who will thoroughly investigate the situation, find witnesses, and aggressively attack the prosecution’s case.  We are skilled in defending clients accused of assault and battery, assault with weapons, fights, and domestic assault.

Drug Charges: Penalties for possession of a controlled substance can vary, depending upon the kind of drug involved, the amount of drugs found in your possession, and the intended purpose for the drug. The possession, use, distribution, manufacture, and sale of drugs are illegal. It is important that you hire a criminal defense attorney who understands the laws, your rights, and your options. Our criminal defense attorneys have the experience, skills, and knowledge to properly defend you against drug charges.

Weapons Charges:  Weapons charges are dealt with severely in Maryland and the District of Columbia.  Accordingly, you need an attorney that understands the system, the players, and your rights.  You need the experience of attorneys that know how to question search and seizure procedures and the admission of incriminating evidence.  A few of the common charges we defend our clients against:  assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a handgun or prohibited weapon, carrying a weapon, and possession of a weapon by a felon.

Juvenile Crimes:  Often what may start as a prank or a foolish mistake turns into a serious crime with the potential to cause damage to a child’s future.  You need experienced defenders that know the juvenile just ice system in Maryland and the District of Columbia, which are very different from the adult system.  We have experience handling the wide array of charges against juveniles, including charges for theft, shoplifting, drug possession and dealing, unauthorized use, weapons, assault, and reckless driving.  In addition, we handle defense before school disciplinary boards (for suspension or expulsion, for example).

White Collar Crimes: Including embezzlement, fraud, forgery, insider trading, computer crimes, credit card fraud, extortion, and money laundering, being wrongfully accused and convicted of a white collar crime can significantly alter your life and damage your career, and it is important that you speak to a criminal defense attorney to make sure that everything is done to prove that the charges are unwarranted.

Traffic Violations:  We have extensive experience defending clients accused of committing serious and even non-serious traffic violations.  Besides fines, some traffic violations actually carry possible jail time.  And then there’s the points that can increase the cost of  your car insurance premiums.  As attorneys, we work hard to save you fines, points, and protect your driving record.  Some of the typical traffic charges that can seriously damage your driving record and insurance premiums:  speeding, reckless driving, failure to stop, driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Sex Crimes: In the state of Maryland, the most serious kinds of sex crimes are often considered felonies, and the penalty for committing a sex crime can be extremely severe. If you have been charged with committing rape, child molestation, prostitution, lewd conduct, solicitation, or sexual battery, it is important that you contact a criminal defense attorney right away. There are a number of defense remedies that may be available to you and your case, and an experienced criminal defense lawyer who understands the law can help you.

In Maryland and the District of Columbia, persons are charged with driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs (DWI), driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), and operating while impaired (OWI).  An experienced DWI / DUI lawyer understands the complicated procedures involved, the problems with breathalyzer samples, field sobriety tests (FSTs), the legality of the stop, and your constitutional rights.

Our attorneys can also represent you in any MVA / DMV hearings regarding driver’s license suspension or revocation procedures, which is one of the many consequences of being charged with a DUI  or DWI.

About Us

At the Law Offices of Bascietto & Bregman, we take a personal approach to you, and an aggressive stance as your legal advocate.  We are a highly flexible firm, with weekend and evening appointments available, so call us today for your free consultation. We always welcome new clients. Located just several miles outside the District of Columbia, our office provides services to people of all walks of life from the Metropolitan area and across the State of Maryland.

About Mr. Bascietto:

John J. Bascietto, Esq. practices general civil law, but concentrates his practice in Family and Domestic Law (divorce, child custody, adoption, alimony), Elder Law, Wills, Trusts and Estate Administration, Bankruptcy, Foreclosure Defense, Government Employment Law and Benefits, Consumer Protection, and other debt matters and civil litigation.  Mr. Bascietto (known by his clients as John) originally hails from New York, NY but has made Maryland his home for the past 35 years.  John  resides in Columbia, MD with his wife, Laura Ann.  John has two children, Brooke, 25 and Stephen, 21.

John is a Vietnam Era Veteran (United States Army) and spent 32 years working in the federal government for agencies including the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy.  Accordingly, he has extensive experience dealing and working with government agencies to obtain superior results for his clients.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from New York University.  His law degree was earned from the University of Maryland School of Law, which is ranked in the top 50 law schools in the country.  Prior to leaving the government and entering the private practice of law, John was a nationally-recognized expert in the field of Natural Resource Damages and Damage Assessment.

Working for his Clients—Getting the Results

John believes that listening to the client is the first and most important thing he, as a lawyer, can do.  His approach is to listen and learn what the client’s objectives and goals.  His guiding principle: “Even a great lawyer cannot achieve a good result for the client if he does not know what the client ultimately wants out of the representation.”

    Foreclosure and Bankruptcy
There are new laws and new policies in the areas of Foreclosure and Bankruptcy. While many believe these words signal that the client has run out of options, that is not automatically the case.  There are options.  When necessary, however, John can provide his clients with Foreclosure Defense and Bankruptcy strategies.  Take action now to assure that your rights are protected.  John offers free consultations and expedited (rush) appointments for urgent matters.

Family Law

As a Family Law practitioner, John knows all too well that sensitivity and compassion must be the hallmark of a lawyer dealing with the emotional strain of separation, divorce, child support and custody issues.  In his practice, John (a family man and divorced parent himself), is not only focused on the needs of the client, but also mindful what might ultimately be a better situation for all family members, especially the children.  John feels this is just as important as bringing excellence and persistence to the practice of law in pursuit of his client’s cause.

When domestic violence is an issue, John has achieved excellent results for his clients, whether that means obtaining needed protective orders from a judge, or when necessary, defending an unfairly accused client against unwarranted charges of domestic violence.

Wills, Trusts, Estates, Estate Planning, and Elder Law

John’s Wills, Probate, Estate Planning and Elder Law practice rounds out his focus on the family.   Do you have a Will?  If you don’t, and you pass away without one, the State will decide who gets your property.  Planning for the “Golden Years” and for the “Beyond” may not be at the top of anyone’s fun list, but these are surely necessary and sometimes complicated tasks requiring skilled legal counsel.  “Medicaid” is the government program that pays for nursing home and  other long-term and elder care needs when a person can not  afford the often overwhelming costs of such care.  And most people lack private insurance coverage for this (“Medicare” and the overwhelming majority of health insurance polices do not cover this type of care).  John can show his clients the benefits of long-term care planning.  This planning can and should be done well in advance of actually needing “Medicaid” coverage for nursing home or long-term care.  John can show the client what is needed and what is possible.

Living Wills and Advance
“Livings Wills,” “Advance Health Care Directives” and “Powers of Attorney” are  important additional tools to having a Will that leaves your property to your heirs.  What happens if you temporarily or permanently cannot conduct you own financial affairs?  Who will step in for you?  Will you be happy with the person a judge might appoint?  John recommends that his clients consider these estate planning tools as important additions to having a Will.

Everyone remembers the unfortunate case of Terry Sciavo in Florida a few years ago.  She remained in a persistent vegetative state for years and years.  No one knew if she had any consciousness of herself or others, yet she was kept on life support systems indefinitely because her relatives and her doctors couldn’t agree on whether or when to stop using medical technology to artificially keep her alive.  Had Ms. Sciavo filled out a relatively uncomplicated form called an “Advance Health Care Directive” (now legally available and effective in Maryland), her family could have avoided protracted legal and emotional battles and saved thousands and thousands of dollars in legal fees.   John recommends his clients consider the Maryland Advanced Health Care Directive as an important life and estate planning tool.

Debt Issues
When the household bills have just become overwhelming and the bill collectors call relentlessly, John is able to provide his clients with a range of options in debt relief.  Sometimes a simple phone call to a creditor can result in easier payment or just some extra time to pay.  Other times, creditors have to be clearly and directly reminded of their obligations and limitations under state and federal law.

Regardless of the client’s need, excellence in legal practice, sensitivity to clients and their families, discretion and understanding are John’s unbending principles of his practice of law.

• Criminal Defense and Litigation
• Civil Litigation
• Personal Injury
• Corporate / LLC / Business Litigation and Disputes
• Small Business Start-Ups (Corporations / LLCs)
• Tax (Including Defense of IRS Exams and Audits)
• Administrative and Regulatory Issues
• Landlord and Tenant Issues

Mr. Bregman’s Practice of Law
Over the years, Brian has also developed several niche practice areas:

• Student Disciplinary Defense
• Professional License Defense
• Public Safety Personnel Law(firefighters, police, EMS workers, and healthcare practitioners such as doctors and nurses) for a variety of services pertaining to their professions and specialized needs:
  • Representation of fire departments and other agencies
  • Administrative and Regulatory Issues
  • Workers’ Compensation
  • Labor Disputes and Issues
  • Disciplinary Hearings, Trial Boards
  • Professional License Revocation and Suspension Hearings
  • Public Safety Purchases and Contracts

Brian takes pride in achieving the best possible results for his clients, regardless of the circumstances and the challenges. He takes the necessary time to thoroughly work with the clients, assure that they understand the situation and the legal process, and know that he will be fighting for them.

Brian has successfully advocated in countless cases for his clients. He has achieved superior results through careful planning, preparation, attention to detail, and listening to his clients’ needs and goals. His philosophy is that everyone should have access to an attorney, and therefore, obtaining excellent legal representation should not be unduly expensive. Most importantly, Brian is often complimented for going the “extra mile” for his clients, never settling for an inferior resolution to the problem. He enjoys a challenge and the gratification that results from achieving the desired outcome.

He is aggressive and a strong advocate for his clients, working strategically to achieve superior results. Discuss your legal matters with Brian, call the office immediately at: (301) 362-0009.
Background
A Washington, D.C. native, Brian was raised in Prince George’s County. From an early age, he developed strong ties to the community with his work as a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician with the Prince George’s County Fire Department. Brian has further developed and strengthened these ties with community leaders and organizations with his near-15 year experience with the fire department and Emergency Medical Services. He continues to serve as the Volunteer EMS Liaison / Coordinator for the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department and as a Volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic for the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department.

Over the years, Brian has held numerous positions and worked in various capacities in the fields of emergency services and public safety, including working as a paramedic and paramedic preceptor licensed in the District of Columbia, critical care transport for a nationally-known trauma center, paramedic for the City of New Orleans, firefighter/paramedic for the United States Government in Antarctica, and others. He has also worked as a Forensic Investigator for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Education and Experience
Brian graduated summa cum laude (with Highest Honors) from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Politics, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. He lived in New Orleans, LA, while attending his first year of law school at Tulane University, then returned to Maryland to resume his education at the University of Maryland School of Law (a top law school, ranked 40th in the nation), where he was 5th in his class, graduated with Honors, and was inducted into the Order of the Coif for academic achievement in the top 5% of his graduating class. He also was awarded a Certificate in Health Law from the School of Law’s Health & Law Program, which is ranked 3rd in the entire nation. ¹
Brian was previously a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Alexander Williams, Jr., United States District Court Judge in the District of Maryland (Greenbelt), and was also the participant in a special Law School Fellowship at the Federal Public Defender’s Office (Baltimore and Greenbelt). Brian opened up his law practice first as a sole practitioner, working one-on-one with his clients to achieve superior results, before joining forces with his law partner, John Bascietto, to form their law firm, Bascietto & Bregman, LLC.
Bar Admissions
United States Supreme Court
State of Maryland
All Courts within the State of Maryland
District of Columbia
Superior Court
United States District Court (Federal) for the District of Maryland
United States Tax Court
Professional Associations and Memberships

Hobbies
In his spare time (what little time there is, when he is not fighting for his clients’ cases), Brian involves himself with several hobbies:

• Firearms collecting and target shooting (he is a certified firearms safety and personal protection instructor)
• Travel (Brian enjoys traveling around the world, and has traveled to such places as India, China, Hong Kong, Antarctica, various parts of Europe including Holland, England, France, and Germany; Singapore, Haiti, Thailand, Nepal, New Zealand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippine Islands, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic)