My question involves a mortgage in the state of: Florida
Short Summary: Approximately 2 years ago divorce resulted in a Short Sale. First and HELOC were both Chase. First was satisfied; HELOC received partial payment. HELOC was charged off. In Jan. this year I was contacted by a collection agency. They did not contact my ex, who lives in a different state, because my name was first on the note. I requested validation within the 30 period, and they failed to validate, so notified them that they could not collect. They sold the debt to another, larger, more aggressive collection agency. I have requested validation and that they contact only through the mail, but I feel that they will validate within the 30 days. Assuming that they do, it is my understanding that their only recourse will be to sue. I am fully retired and live solely month to month on pension, annuity, and SS. I have less than $500 in savings. I contacted a bankruptcy attorney. Her advice was 1. call her when I am served papers, 2. they probably will not be able to collect because my retirement income should be shielded.
Questions: 1. Is there a way that I could communicate with the collection agency before they sue that I have no job or source of income other than retirement, that they I will file bankruptcy if they get a judgment and that they will probably not collect even if they sue?
2. I am not sure I will express this second question well, and I know it sounds a little off-center, but, is there some way that I (and maybe others like me) could sue Chase for harassment? Here's my logic. Chase was an active partner in my short sale. They screened buyers (rejected 2), set the sale price, and required from me, over the course of 2 plus years, literally hundreds of pages of financial records and at least 3 separate "hardship" letters and financial budget showing that I did not have the finances to make up the difference in the short sale. I maintain that they controlled and were an active partner in the sale and that their decisions should be held as tacit agreement to accept they the proceeds as final payment, which they did by charging off the debt. But when they sold the loan to the collection agency, they did so knowing that I would be harassed.

