1. Melissa DeKroon
101 Maple Avenue
West Warwick, RI 02893
(401) 623-1925
E-Mail: dekroon.melissa@yahoo.com
Professional Objective
To excel as a professional and to continue learning my field while continuously gaining knowledge and
guidance supervisors and to be an asset for a great company such as Citizens Bank.
Work Experience
12/10/15- 11/16 Citizens Bank – Riverside Rhode Island
REAL ESTATE/FORECLOSURE PARALEGAL Level II, and Appraisal Service
coordinator
Responsible for the completion of routine foreclosures, compliance with all state laws and
investors, insurers, Agency and company time frames.
Initiate and monitor the foreclosure of loans secured by real estate through designated law firms.
Reviewing of facts, Title documents, lien information and Federal and state tax delinquencies in
order to write up my recommendation.
Draft full foreclosure bidding instructions that are sent to appropriate attorneys’ offices and step
by step instructions on how to bid, and request the presentation be approved to issue instructions.
Thoroughly review any Trust information provided for any Real Estate being held by a Trust.
Ensure the Trustee has the authority to sell, transfer, refinance or deed out of property by
reviewing the By-Laws of the Trust, accurately identify the Articles of the Trust, and instruct the
foreclosure attorney to perform any needed action to ensure all actions are done in compliance
with State or Trust articles and laws.
Legal research on transfer history, employment status, payment activity, and bank account
information to ensure adherences to Banks requirements to facilitate an action to file a Lis
Pendens to be able to start the foreclosure process.
Review, identify, and resolve all title, deed, lien, land and tax issues upon receiving new
accounts to start the foreclosure process.
Ability to work on a Real Estate transaction start to finish, including but not limited to
conducting a closing, as well as notarizing the documents to submit on behalf of the Lender.
12/2013 – 08/2015 Law Offices of Joseph J. Voccola, Esq. & Associates, Providence Rhode Island
SR. LITIGATION PARALEGAL
Main point of contact for all new cases, both Civil and Criminal if needed.
Responsible for drafting all change requests, waivers, next of kin correspondences and hearing
advisements for all Probate, Estate, Wills and Trust clients.
Responsible for all Court related filings in all courts, including Massachusetts; utilizing the State
Specific E-Filing system, as well as the Public Access Portal.
Drafting all legal filings, Summons, subpoena, motions, pleadings etc.
Legal Research, legal Investigation, and reviewing of RI general Laws, and RI laws of Civil
Procedure.
Responsible for training all new employees in the Litigation, Probate, Trust, and Estate filings to
ensure compliance with State Laws.
Drafting Demand Letters, ordering bills and records, preserving video and photos evidence,
preparing video exhibits to present for related matters.
2. Preparing all new discovery packages to the opposing party, and responding to any discovery
request receive
Responsible for meeting with all Clients, maintaining the Litigation Calendar, ensuring all cases
are filed with the appropriate court to ensure the Statute of Limitations are adhered to.
Responsible for all Trusts, Probate, Wills, Estates and all filings pertaining to each.
Perform full Trust reviews for any issues or conflicts with the Trust and the Trustee(s).
Answer questions and provide assistance interpreting legal documents, laws, regulations, and
guidelines for all Civil, Probate, Trust, Estate and Litigation matters.
I was designated as being the sole individual to Implement the E-file System by setting up the
office as well as each employee with user names and passwords, and assisting them in becoming
familiar with how to use the system.
Trained all employees and Attorneys, tracked all new changes pertaining to the e-file system,
reviewed and trained all for any changes.
10/2012 – 12/2013 Attorney Eric T. Grande & LVG Title and Escrow, Warwick, Rhode Island
SR. REAL ESTATE PARALEGAL
Preparing contracts, including Lease or Rental Agreements, Purchase and Sales Agreements,
Extension agreement, offer letters and Closing Documents
Facilitating communication between the Attorneys for the buyer and seller.
Verifying everything is in order and both sides of the transaction are on the same page to prevent
any last minute issues or anything that could postpone or terminate the closing.
Negotiating contracts
Reviewing title reports
Correct CPL’s, order title updates and assign files.
Identify dirty titles which could have multiple liens, private mortgages, prior owner liens or
mortgages, prior owner judgments and the like.
Research, call and obtain all discharges, lien releases or indemnity letters if needed to ensure the
Title is clear and ready to be transferred upon closing.
Under state specific guidelines, review the proposed borrowers criminal and Civil matters if any
are open; verify if any outstanding payments are required; identify and rectify each lien or
judgment to clear title.
Monitoring financial transactions and foreclosure proceedings if subject property is a short sale.
Obtain all property tax information prior to closing to ensure no new charges have occurred and
ensure all taxes are paid to date.
Order final water/gas/ sewer/ fire/ school and any other municipalities taxing entities as well as
self pay Leased equipment (UCC) from the town as directed in any deed advising of such lease.
03/2012- 09/2012 Liberty Title & Escrow Co. East Greenwich Rhode Island
SR.CURATIVE PARALEGAL
Demonstrate thorough knowledge of current real estate laws and have the ability to prepare
files from open through closing.
Competency in contract review, drafting routine correspondences
Preparing deed, power of attorneys, reviewing trust docs, and close out letters.
Excellent borrower, and interoffice professionalism and respect for other co-workers
In addition, I have excellent communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work in a
fast-paced, professional environment with minimal supervision.
I also possess clerical/office administrative duties such as answering phones, scheduling
appointments, filing, conducting meetings, manage schedules, order supplies etc.
3. I am an upbeat, proactive self-starting individual that is an extremely reliable team player who
will go above and beyond for every circumstance and provide excellent customer service both
internal customers and external customers.
Education Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, Rhode Island
9/98 - 1/02 Law Major
Obtained Associates Degree in Criminal Justice
Obtained Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies
1/02-12/003 Roger Williams University Bristol, Rhode Island
Law Major
Criminal Justice/ Political Science
Skills
Proficient in Microsoft word, excel, power point, internet search engines, outlook, research
sites, running background checks, Bankruptcy searches, Softpro, BYTE, Amicus, Westlaw
Next, Lexus Nexus, Case law research, Electronic court filing systems, Extremely computer
Literate, and always eager to learn a new system or process, to me knowledge is power.
References :
Donna Sweet – Nurse, West Warwick Rhode Island contact number 401-391-9419