NOTICE TO ABSENT DEFENDANTS

NOTICE TO ABSENT DEFENDANTS Docket No. F-003311-26 Superior Court of New Jersey Chancery Division Ocean County (L.S.) STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO: Benedetto Ritacco YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED AND REQUIRED to serve upon McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP, counsel for the plaintiff, with an address of 485F US Highway 1 S., Building F, Suite 300, Iselin, NJ 08830, with a telephone number of (732) 902-5399, an Answer to the Complaint filed in a civil action where Freedom Mortgage Corporation is the plaintiff and Cathy Ritacco, et al. is the defendant. The action is pending in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Ocean County, and bears Docket No. F-003311-26. Your Answer must be filed within thirty-five (35) days of April 21, 2026, excluding that date, or if this publication runs after April 21, 2026, within thirty-five (35) days after the actual date of publication, excluding that date. If you fail to file an Answer, judgment by default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. You shall file your Answer and Proof of Service in duplicate with the Clerk of the Superior Court, Hughes Justice Complex – CN 971, Trenton, NJ 08625, with a copy to McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP, in accordance with the NJ Rules of Court. This action has been instituted for the purpose of (1) foreclosing a mortgage dated January 6, 2021 made by Cathy Ordonez, who acquired title as Cathy Ritacco, joined by non-title spouse Benedetto Ritacco, signing to waive homestead rights only, to Freedom Mortgage Corporation, recorded in the Ocean County Clerk's Office on January 14, 2021 in Book 18262, page 1525, and as Instrument No. 021007495, which mortgage was assigned to the above named Plaintiff, which has the right to enforce the note secured by the mortgage; and (2) to recover possession of the land and premises commonly known as 124 Timothy Street, Brick, NJ 08724 and is further described as lead Lot 13 (also known as Lots 13 and 14), Block 869.08 (formerly Block 869.8) on the Tax Map of the Township of Brick If you are unable to obtain an attorney, you may communicate with the New Jersey Bar Association by calling 732-249-5000. You may also contact the Lawyer Referral Service of the County of venue by calling (732) 240-3666. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may contact the Legal Services office of the County of venue by calling (732) 341-2727. YOU, Benedetto Ritacco, are made a party defendant to this foreclosure action because you executed the mortgage and may be liable for any deficiency and for any right, title and interest you may have in, to or against the subject property. /S/Michelle M. Smith Michelle M. Smith Clerk of Superior Court of New Jersey DATED: April 21, 2026 April 21 2026 LNYS0502594 $46.64