How to Stop Foreclosure

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: No
-  Primary Security Instruments: Mortgage
-  Timeline: Typically 60 days
-  Right of Redemption: No
-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Connecticut, lenders may foreclose on a mortgage in default by using the judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial foreclosure process in Connecticut is carried out by either strict foreclosure or a decree of sale.

With strict foreclosure, no actual foreclosure sale is held. Instead, the lender goes to court to try and obtain a court order demonstrating the borrower is in default of the mortgage. If successful, the title transfers to the lender immediately.

However, the court sets an established amount of time in which the borrower may redeem the property, but if they fail to do so, the title becomes absolute to the lender and the borrower has no longer has any claim to the property. The lender then has thirty (30) days to record a certificate of foreclosure, which must contain a description of the property, the foreclosure proceedings, the mortgage and the date the title became absolute.

With a decree of sale, the court: 1) establishes the time and manner of the sale; 2) appoints a committee to sell the property; and 3) appoints three appraisers to determine the value of the property.

The borrower may stop the foreclosure proceedings at any time before the sale by paying the balance due on the mortgage. If no such payment is made, the committee will go forward with the sale.
The lender may sue to obtain a deficiency judgment in Connecticut.

More information on Connecticut foreclosure laws.

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: No
-  Primary Security Instruments: Mortgage
-  Timeline: Typically 90 days
-  Right of Redemption: No
-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: No

In Delaware, lenders may foreclose on a mortgage in default by using the judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

Lenders in Delaware are given a number of options in which they may pursue judicial foreclosure, but the most commonly used procedure is the Scire Facias.

This proceeding is quite different from other judicial foreclosures because instead of the lender having to prove the borrower is in default of the mortgage, the borrower has to prove he isn’t. Although the suit to obtain an order for foreclosure is filed by the lender, the borrower must appear in court within twenty (20) days of being served a writ to provide evidence as to why the foreclosure should not take place. Unless the court is satisfied with the borrowers explanation and evidence, they will authorize a foreclosure sale.

Said sale must be conducted by the sheriff and held either at the courthouse or at the property itself at least fourteen (14) days after the notice of sale is posted on the property and in other public places throughout the county in which it is located.

The buyer has no right of redemption once the court has confirmed the sale.

More information on Delaware foreclosure laws.

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: No
-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust
-  Timeline: Typically 60 days
-  Right of Redemption: No
-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Washington D.C., lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts in default using the non-judicial foreclosure process.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed.

If the terms of the sale are not established in the deed of trust, the lender, or his representative, must obtain a court order specifying the terms of the sale.

However, no foreclosure sale may take place unless the lender gives written notice, by certified mail (return receipt requested), to the borrower at his last known address. This notice must also be sent to the Mayor of the District of Columbia, or his designated agent. Both notices must be sent at least thirty (30) days prior to the sale, with the thirty (30) day period beginning on the day the notice is received by the Mayor. This notice must be given in addition to any notices set forth by the court, the mortgage or the deed of trust.

In Washington D.C., lenders may obtain a deficiency judgment against the borrower for the difference between the foreclosure sale amount and the amount remaining on the original loan. The borrower has no rights of redemption.

More information on Washington D.C. foreclosure laws.

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: No
-  Primary Security Instruments: Mortgage
-  Timeline: Typically 180 days
-  Right of Redemption: Yes
-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Florida, all mortgages are foreclosed in equity. In a mortgage foreclosure action, the court severs, for separate trial, all counterclaims against the foreclosing lender. The foreclosure claim shall, if tried, be tried to the court without a jury.

The court order of foreclosure will specify how the foreclosure must take place, and the foreclosure must take place on those terms. Whenever a legal advertisement, publication, or notice relating to a foreclosure proceeding is required to be placed in a newspaper, it is the responsibility of the lender or their representative to place such advertisement, publication, or notice.

Equitable Right of Redemption ends at the foreclosure sale (or at another time specified by the courts, but this rarely happens). There is a period of time after the sale that “the court reviews the sale to ensure a fair price has been paid.”  Basically, this period of time allows parties to object to the sale on the basis that proper procedures were not followed or collusion existed between the bidders, for example.  This period is usually 10 days, after which the Certificate of Sale is filed and title passes, if the sale is confirmed.  If the sale is not confirmed, another sale is ordered.  (Reference F.S. Chapter 702)

The lender may sue to obtain a deficiency judgment in Florida.

More information on Florida foreclosure laws.

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage
-  Timeline: Typically 90 days
-  Right of Redemption: Yes
-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Georgia, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of
sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee.
Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows:

A foreclosure notice must be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested to the borrower no later than 15 days prior to the date of the foreclosure sale. The time period begins the day the letter is postmarked. The notice must be mailed to the address given to the lender by written notice from the borrower. No waiver or release of the rights to notice is valid if it was signed at the same time as the original documents.

The notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the sale will be held once a week for four (4) weeks proceeding the date of the foreclosure sale.

The sale must be made by public auction on the first Tuesday of the month between 10:00 am and 4:00 p.m. at the courthouse.

Lenders may seek a deficiency judgment in Georgia.

More information on Georgia foreclosure laws.