Negotiating The Foreclosure Process May Save Your Home

Mortgage lenders have a tremendous amount of power in Georgia because they do not have to bring you to court to foreclose on your home or property. If you fall behind on payments, the company can send sell your house 30 days after simply sending you a certified notice. As a homeowner, the idea of banks sidestepping the judicial process may seem unfair, but that is how state law works. It’s important to contact experienced foreclosure attorneys in Georgia such as Morgan & Morgan if you are falling behind on payments.

Foreclosure Process & Solutions

The key debt threshold to keep in mind is usually three months. A lender cannot generally consider you in default until you miss a third mortgage payment. At that point, you can expect a demand letter for payment. This could be the last opportunity to negotiate with a lender and keep your home. After 10 days, the bank could start the foreclosure process that can result in a 30-day foreclosure sale. It’s imperative to have an experienced lawyer involved in the process to help protect your interests.

Assuming you’ve fallen behind on payments due to a financial hardship, there may be an opportunity to construct a loan modification. This formal, written agreement could lower the monthly payments in exchange for increasing the length of the loan. These are often reasonable solutions because loan modifications allow borrowers to keep the property while the bank secures additional interest payments. Keep in mind, banks generally don’t favor foreclosure. It’s a costly process and they may not be able to recoup the outstanding balance and additional expenses.

Bankruptcy Defense

Filing bankruptcy may not be a welcome process, but it may provide an immediate foreclosure stay and prevent a planned sale. The initial filing provides another opportunity to negotiate new terms with the bank. It may also allow you time to bring the loan current and end the foreclosure process entirely. However, under Georgia law, the bank can petition the court to continue a foreclosure sale.

A bankruptcy defense can be complicated and have long-term financial consequences. That’s why it’s important to work with experienced foreclosure attorneys in Georgia. If you’re facing foreclosure or considering filing for bankruptcy, Morgan & Morgan can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Lee Paulk Morgan

Lee Paulk Morgan

With more than 41 years of experience in the areas of Bankruptcy, Disability, and Workers’ Compensation, Lee Paulk Morgan is one of the most respected Bankruptcy and Disability attorneys in Athens, Georgia. His tireless dedication to serving clients has gained him the reputation of a premier attorney in his areas of practice, as well as the trust and respect of other legal experts, who often refer clients to him.