I have been a California real estate attorney for over ten years and also have my real estate broker's license through the DRE.  Recently, the majority of my business has come from consulting with homeowners, who are just frankly confused about their options.  I clarify their options through my experience and training and recommend a course of action.  Sometimes their best option is short selling, which reinforces the agent/broker's relationship with the client/homeowner, because my advise to the homeowner would be to go back to the agent/broker that referred you to me and allow them to short sell the property, knowing it is the best course of action.