Felicia El Hassan had already lost one house.
During turbulent times decades earlier in communist Cuba, she’d been forced to surrender property before fleeing to America.
The 86-year-old woman thought those days were far behind her after living quietly for nearly 20 years in a modest house in Opa-locka, a working-class neighborhood in northern Miami-Dade.
But that peace of mind ended when a process server appeared on her doorstep with court papers informing her of a foreclosure lawsuit by Liberty Home Equity Solutions Inc., formerly Genworth Financial Home Equity Access Inc. The complaint’s sole basis was the lender’s claim that El Hassan violated a key covenant of reverse mortgages by moving out, thereby defaulting on the loan.
“The allegation is basically debunked,” El Hassan’s lawyer, Ricky Corona, said. “Not only was she living there, but … they served it at her house.”
This, defense attorneys say, is a new strategy by lenders and plaintiffs lawyers: sue to foreclose on government-guaranteed home loans under various defaults, then fast-track these suits by filing motions for orders to show cause. These motions shift the burden of proof to the borrower, requiring them to appear in court and explain why a judge shouldn’t grant final judgment against them.
2026 Update: Reverse Mortgage Foreclosure Is a Growing Crisis
Reverse mortgage foreclosures are increasing in Florida in 2026 as the population of seniors who took reverse mortgages in the 2000s and 2010s faces new challenges. Property tax delinquency, insurance lapse, and occupancy requirement violations are the most common triggers. If you or a family member has a reverse mortgage and is receiving notices from the servicer, consult a Florida attorney immediately — the timelines in reverse mortgage foreclosure can be very compressed.
▶ Watch the Florida Foreclosure Defense Playlist on YouTube — real cases, real courtroom experience from 20+ years of Florida foreclosure defense.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every foreclosure situation is unique. Contact our office for a consultation specific to your circumstances: mattweidnerlaw.com/contact
