how does my bankrupcty attorney stop my foreclosure

by Soledad Fritsch 6 min read

In order to stop foreclosure, they file for Chapter 13 because it allows for them to pay back the past-due mortgage balance over the life of the Chapter 13 plan. The amounts that are past due are broken up into small increments and added to the normal monthly mortgage payment, making the process of getting caught up far more manageable.

Full Answer

Does filing bankruptcy stop foreclosure?

Apr 12, 2022 · In some cases, filing for bankruptcy will stop the foreclosure process and allow you to keep your home. In other instances though, bankruptcy can help delay foreclosure, giving you more time to determine how you will bring your loan current. Below, our Broward County foreclosure defense lawyers explain. The Automatic Stay

How can I stop a foreclosure before it happens?

Bankruptcy temporarily “freezes” your foreclosure case through a legal concept called the “automatic stay”. After a Debtor has filed a bankruptcy case, creditors must stop all collection efforts against the Debtor for a period of time, unless the creditor get permission from the bankruptcy court to continue their collection efforts.

Does Chapter 13 stop foreclosure on property?

Sep 08, 2021 · Once you prepare a Chapter 13 plan with your attorney, you will file a Chapter 13 petition for relief and the foreclosure proceeding will stop. The bankruptcy trustee will then recommend your Chapter 13 plan for confirmation and the bankruptcy court will approve a repayment plan that allows you to get current on your mortgage over a three to five year period.

How long does it take for bankruptcy to delay foreclosure?

Mar 12, 2021 · Yes, this type of bankruptcy stops a foreclosure auction immediately. The bankruptcy court will order an automatic stay, which will delay the foreclosure proceedings for about 3 to 4 months, from the date you filed for bankruptcy to the date your debt is discharged. All collection activities and foreclosure proceedings will be suspended.

Can bankruptcy Stop foreclosure?

Yes, filing bankruptcy can stop a foreclosure. At the very least it'll buy you some time. Whether filing a bankruptcy case can help you prevent a foreclosure for good depends on how far behind you are on your mortgage payments and what type of bankruptcy you're filing.Dec 12, 2021

What happens in a foreclosure and bankruptcy?

The main difference between the two is what happens after the sale of the property. In a foreclosure, there is a possibility that you will still owe money to the creditor after the sale if the proceeds of the sale don't cover the debt. In a bankruptcy, however, all debts will be discharged after the case is closed.Jan 20, 2021

What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy?

The main difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, the debtor's assets are sold off to pay the lenders (creditors) whereas in Chapter 11, the debtor negotiates with creditors to alter the terms of the loan without having to liquidate (sell off) assets.

Can I hand my property back to the bank?

If you can't pay your mortgage, don't just: hand the keys back to your mortgage lender - this is called voluntary repossession and should be a last resort. wait until you get evicted - your lender could take you to court to repossess your home.

What happens if you don't pay off your mortgage in Chapter 13?

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy involves negotiating a repayment plan with your mortgage lender, which you need to follow until you’ve paid off your arrears. Provided that you made the mortgage payments as expected, you can stop a foreclosure sale and keep your home. If you don’t, the lender can trigger another foreclosure proceeding.

What happens if you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

When you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the court will issue an automatic stay order, which stops all collection and foreclosure efforts. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a good option if you have a steady source of income despite having a lot of debt.

What happens if you file for Chapter 7?

If you’re facing foreclosure, filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy will halt the foreclosure proceedings temporarily, allowing you to find alternatives to save your home.

How does Chapter 7 bankruptcy work?

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy will temporarily stop the foreclosure proceedings for a period through an automatic stay order from the court. During that time, your assets will be used to settle your debt, including unsecured debt. This type of bankruptcy allows you to seek alternative measures like selling your other real estate assets ...

How long does it take for a bankruptcy to be lifted?

The bankruptcy court will order an automatic stay, which will delay the foreclosure proceedings for about 3 to 4 months, from the date you filed for bankruptcy to the date your debt is discharged. All collection activities and foreclosure proceedings will be suspended. However, lenders can file a motion asking the court to lift ...

How long does Chapter 13 bankruptcy last?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy involves creating a repayment agreement, which usually lasts from 3 to 5 years, depending on how much you’re earning. As long as you keep your end of the bargain, your debts will be discharged and your house will not be foreclosed. Otherwise, you can expect to face another foreclosure process to take place.

How much does it cost to file for bankruptcy?

You’re probably wondering how much it costs to file bankruptcy. You will pay a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7 and a $313 filing fee for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

What happens when a homeowner files Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

When a homeowner files Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the process will automatically stop any pending foreclosure action. Additionally, it might possibly provide a longer-lasting solution than in Chapter 7, for individuals that are struggling to catch up on their mortgage payments.

What happens if you fall behind on your mortgage payments?

If an individual is facing foreclosure, and has fallen behind on their monthly mortgage payments, the lender often demands that a full repayment of all monies in arrears be made in addition to the associated late fees, before there is a reinstatement of the loan.

How long does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy last?

It will automatically force the mortgage lender to accept any missed payments in smaller installments. This process can last between 3 to 5 years.

How long does it take for a Chapter 7 to be closed?

As part of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court ordered automatic stay remains in place while the case is open and active, which usually takes about 90 days.

Can a mortgage lender lift an automatic stay?

Typically, a mortgage lender will have more success in lifting the automatic stay, because simply filing for bankruptcy does not in any way release the homeowner from his or her obligation to repay the note, should they desire to keep the home.

Can a mortgage be lifted in bankruptcy?

Although, if the homeowner is behind on any mortgage payment, the financial lending institution will often ask for a lift of the automatic stay through the bankruptcy court, to allow the foreclosure to continue.

Can you stop a mortgage lender from filing a foreclosure?

As a result, it is possible to stop your mortgage loan lender from proceeding with filing or completing a foreclosure during the process, giving you the opportunity to satisfy your obligations under the protection of the courts.

How long does it take for a foreclosure to be postponed?

If your lender had scheduled your home for a foreclosure sale, and you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the sale will be legally postponed while the bankruptcy is pending—typically three to four months. However, the lender can ask the bankruptcy court for permission to proceed with the sale by filing a " motion to lift the automatic stay .".

How long does it take for a bankruptcy to postpone a sale?

But, even so, it takes time for the motion to be filed and heard, so the bankruptcy will typically postpone the sale by at least two months , or even more if the lender is slow in pursuing the motion to lift the automatic stay. (Learn more in Bankruptcy's Automatic Stay .)

What happens if you don't have a homestead exemption?

If the homestead exemption isn't sufficient, to keep a house, a filer will have to pay the value of the nonexempt property in the repayment plan, too. For more information, see Your Home and Mortgage in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Talk to a Bankruptcy Lawyer.

How long does it take to pay off a mortgage in Chapter 13?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you pay off the "arrearage" (late unpaid payments) over the length of a Chapter 13 repayment plan you propose—five years in most cases. But, you'll need enough income to meet your current mortgage payment in addition to paying off the arrearage.

What is automatic stay in bankruptcy?

When you file either a Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court automatically issues an order (called the order for relief) that includes a wonderful thing known as the " automatic stay ." The automatic stay directs your creditors to cease their collection activities immediately.

Can bankruptcy protect home equity?

Since that time, home values have continued to climb. Now a filer must carefully consider the ability to fully protect equity with the homestead exemption allowed by filer's state.

Can I file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

In many cases, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy can delay the foreclosure by a matter of months. Or if you want to save your home, filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy might be the answer. (To compare the two bankruptcy types, read Should I File for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 If I Want to Keep My Home?)

Can I Stop Foreclosure with Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a powerful tool that allows consumers to save assets, such as houses and cars, while also getting relief from debt collectors. Chapter 13 bankruptcy can:

How Do You Stop a Foreclosure Sale Immediately?

Have you received a foreclosure notice from the mortgage lender that a foreclosure auction date has been set? If the bank is planning to sell your property because you are delinquent, there are still things that you can do to save your home—even if you have already received a foreclosure auction notice.

How Long Does It Take For a Mortgage lender to Start Foreclosure?

The length of time that it takes a bank to start a foreclosure depends on the bank. Although most mortgage contracts state that a borrower is in default after just a single missed payment, most banks do not send the foreclosure notice and initiate foreclosure proceedings until you are at least three months late.

How Many Months Can You Miss Your Mortgage Payments Before a Foreclosure Sale?

If you are unable to pay your mortgage because of a medical crisis, job loss, or another unexpected event, you might be wondering how many months you can miss on your mortgage payment before the bank forecloses.

What Can You Do When Your House has a Foreclosure Sale Scheduled?

If you are facing the prospect of foreclosure, you are not alone. If your house is in foreclosure, try not to panic and create a game plan. Don’t rely on a real estate agent to solve the problem, call an experienced lawyer to get sound legal advice.

Can you make up missed mortgage payments to avoid a Foreclosure Sale?

What is your monthly income? Can you afford your mortgage payment? Do you want to stay in it?

When should you talk to a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy attorney?

If you want to keep your home – You may want to call a chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney to see if you qualify to file bankruptcy.

How long does foreclosure stay on credit report?

On the other hand, a foreclosure also has a negative impact on credit. It will also stay on your report for seven years, and its effect on scores is often only slightly less negative than that of a bankruptcy. That means you could experience similar trouble finding new loans and getting favorable terms when you do.

How long does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy stay on your credit report?

In most cases, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy stays on your credit reports for seven years (three years less than a Chapter 7 bankruptcy) and is considered an especially negative event for most credit-scoring models.

What is the purpose of Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

While the purpose of Chapter 7 is to provide a way for people to sell their assets to get out from under debt, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is designed as a pathway to keep your property for the long term by way of a repayment plan.

Can a Chapter 13 bankruptcy end with a mortgage?

Crucially, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy could also end with the debtor’s homeownership intact. The repayment plan can incorporate missed mortgage payments, allowing homeowners to become current with their lender.

Does Chapter 13 bankruptcy affect credit?

The long-term effects of Chapter 13 bankruptcy on credit. While these Chapter 13 bankruptcy provisions can provide help to some people staring down foreclosure, they are anything but a simple solution to the problem. Any bankruptcy carries major risks and long-term consequences. Even a successful bankruptcy will have lingering effects.

Is bankruptcy a last resort?

Just the possibility can send homeowners looking for any way to save their homes. Bankruptcy is often seen as a last resort for people in heavy debt beyond their means, and certain portions of the bankruptcy code can look like lifelines to homeowners hoping to avoid the painful process of foreclosure. While the purpose of Chapter 7 is ...

Can bankruptcy bring up a sold sign?

Bankruptcy can bring up visions of lost assets, including a “SOLD” sign plastered on your beloved home. Under the provisions of Chapter 13 bankruptcy though, this fear doesn’t have to come true.