Who is a Class Member
The JPMorgan Chase Lien Release Class Action Settlement includes all persons: “(1) who were the mortgagor for a home loan that was secured by a mortgage on property located within Maine; (2) for whom, after September 28, 2011, Chase or one of its agents recorded a mortgage release with a registry of deeds in Maine; and (3) to whom, after September 28, 2011, Chase or one of its agents: (a) sent a recorded mortgage release more than 30 days after receiving it back from the Maine registry of deeds; or (b) did not send the original recorded mortgage release that it received back from the Maine registry of deeds.”
The class period is from September 28, 2011 through November 30, 2017.
If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Estimated Award
- $400
Class members who submit a valid and timely claim form will receive a settlement check of $400. You may only submit one Claim Form per mortgage loan secured by Maine property.
Proof of Purchase
- Claimants that contend that Chase did not send the original recorded mortgage release that it received back from the Maine registry of deeds, must submit a copy of the non-original recorded mortgage release that they contend they received from Chase.
Claim Form
Note: Claimants must submit a completed IRS Form W-9 along with their Claim Form. A W-9 can be downloaded from the settlement website. The Claim Form must also be signed by both the borrower and co-borrower of the Maine mortgage loan.
JPMorgan Chase Maine Lien Release Settlement Notes
- Alec T. Sabina and Emma L. Sabina v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
- Case No. BCD-CV-14-061
- Pending in the Business and Consumer Court for Cumberland County, Maine
In March 2014, plaintiffs Alec and Emma Sabina filed this putative class action lawsuit alleging JPMorgan Chase violated the law by not sending them and other Class members their “original” recorded mortgage release within 30 days after receiving it back from the Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds.
Specifically the lawsuit contends that Chase violated Section 551 which states that “within 30 days after receiving the recorded release of the mortgage from the registry of deeds, the mortgagee shall send the release by first class mail to the mortgagor’s address as listed in the mortgage agreement or to an address specified in writing by the mortgagor for this purpose.”
The law also states that if a lien release is not sent by first class mail to the mortgagor’s address within 30 days after receiving the recorded release, the a mortgagee can be held liable for damages of $500, court costs and attorney’s fees in any successful action.
Chase denies all allegations of liability, wrongdoing, and damages but agreed to settle the case on a class-wide basis to avoid continued litigation.
Complete details about the case and settlement are provided on the JPMorgan Chase Maine Lien Release Settlement website.
Class members who wish to object to or exclude themselves from the JPMorgan Chase Maine Lien Release Settlement must do so by February 21, 2018. Class members who wish to participate in the settlement must submit their claim form on or before February 21, 2018.
Important Dates
- 2/21/18: Claim Form Deadline
- 2/21/18: Objection or Exclusion Deadline
- 3/23/18: Final Hearing at 9:00 am ET* (class members do not need to attend this hearing in order to receive a slice of the settlement pie).
*Settlement Class Members who wish to speak at the hearing should check www.MaineLienReleaseSettlement.com to confirm that the date or time of the Hearing has not been changed.
Contact Information
- Mail: Sabina v. Chase Bank N.A. Settlement, c/o KCC Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 404041, Louisville, KY 40233-4041
- Phone: 1-866-652-8234
- Email: info@MaineReleaseSettlement.com
Class Counsel
- Michael R. Bosse, Daniel J. Mitchell, and Meredith C. Eilers of Bernstein Shur Sawyer & Nelson PA
Settlement Website