Protecting Your Home From Foreclosure

It can feel overwhelming if you’re at risk of losing your home to foreclosure in Monroe. But there are ways to protect your home and get help during this difficult time. Our foreclosure attorney in Monroe can step in to provide emergency relief, temporarily stopping the foreclosure process.

Emergency relief and a stay of foreclosure can give you more time to find a solution and possibly keep your home. These legal tools can help you catch up on payments or explore other options. In this article, we’ll discuss how a foreclosure attorney can help protect your home and guide you through the legal steps to avoid foreclosure.

Quick Summary:

  • Foreclosure is a legal process when a homeowner cannot keep up with their mortgage payments, allowing the lender to take back and sell the property to recover the owed money. This process results in the homeowner losing ownership of the house and having to leave the property. While foreclosure is challenging, there are steps homeowners can take to try to prevent it.
  • Emergency relief options like loan forbearance and loan modification can provide immediate assistance when facing foreclosure. Loan forbearance allows you to pause or reduce mortgage payments temporarily, offering time to stabilize your finances. Loan modification involves adjusting your loan terms, such as lowering the interest rate or extending the repayment period, to make monthly payments more manageable.
  • Filing for bankruptcy can also provide temporary relief by stopping the foreclosure process through an “automatic stay.” Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy offer different approaches, with Chapter 13 allowing homeowners to catch up on missed payments through a repayment plan. Alternatively, filing a lawsuit against the lender can delay or stop foreclosure, especially if the lender made mistakes, rights violations, or unfulfilled promises.

What is Foreclosure?

Foreclosure is the legal process when a homeowner cannot keep up with mortgage payments. A mortgage is a loan used to buy a house and requires regular monthly payments. If a homeowner falls behind on these payments, the lender has the right to take back the property to recover the money they are owed.

In Louisiana, foreclosure proceedings are notably swift and direct. Unlike in some states, there’s generally no formal notice or hearing before the court grants the lender’s request to foreclose. Homeowners may have limited opportunities to defend themselves or contest the process.

Once the foreclosure is granted, the lender typically sells the property at a sheriff’s auction. The proceeds from this sale are used to pay off the remaining mortgage balance. The homeowner may still owe the lender a deficiency balance if the sale proceeds do not cover the total debt.

What are the Emergency Relief Options for Foreclosure?

When dealing with foreclosure, immediate help can make a big difference. Several emergency relief options might help you. These options are designed to give you more time and help you get back on track. Here are some standard emergency relief options:

Loan Forbearance

Loan forbearance is a temporary solution that allows you to pause or reduce your mortgage payments for a short period. You don’t have to make regular monthly payments during this time, giving you breathing room to get your finances in order.

Loan Modification

This involves changing the terms of your loan to make it easier to pay. This could mean lowering your interest rate, extending the time to pay off the loan, or even reducing the amount you owe. The goal is to make your monthly payments smaller so that you can afford them.

File for Bankruptcy

If you’re facing foreclosure in Louisiana, an emergency bankruptcy filing may be the lifeline you need to buy some time and potentially save your home. Filing for bankruptcy can temporarily stop the foreclosure process. This is known as the “automatic stay.” It means that the bank or lender cannot move forward with taking your home while you’re in bankruptcy. This allows you to work out a plan with your lender or explore other ways to address your financial issues.

People usually file two main types of bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: This type of bankruptcy can erase many of your debts, but you might still need to pay your mortgage if you want to keep your home. If you’re behind on payments, Chapter 7 might not help you catch up, but it will still stop the foreclosure.
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: This is often a better option if you face foreclosure. Chapter 13 allows you to set up a repayment plan to catch up on your missed mortgage payments over three to five years. If you stick to the plan, you can keep your home.

File a Lawsuit

Suppose your bank uses a nonjudicial process to foreclose, where the foreclosure is completed outside the court system. In that case, you can delay or stop the foreclosure by filing a lawsuit against the bank to challenge the foreclosure. This legal action can help you prevent the foreclosure process and give you more time to find a solution.

Filing a lawsuit is a big step and should be considered if you have a strong case, such as:

  • Lender Mistakes: If your lender didn’t follow the rules or made errors in foreclosure.
  • Violation of Rights: If you believe your rights were violated, such as not being given proper notice of the foreclosure.
  • Broken Promises: If the lender promised to help you with a loan modification or other assistance but didn’t follow through.

How Our Foreclosure Attorney in Monroe Can Help Protect Your Home

Facing foreclosure can be challenging, but understanding your options for emergency relief and a stay of foreclosure can provide hope and a path forward. We know how stressful it can be to face the possibility of losing your home. Our foreclosure attorney in Monroe, LA, is dedicated to helping you navigate this difficult time with clear guidance and firm support.

At E. Orum Young Law, we’re committed to helping you keep your home and secure your future. Whether you need to negotiate for a loan modification, seek financial assistance, or file a lawsuit to stop foreclosure, our bankruptcy law firm is here to help. We’ll make sure you understand the emergency relief options available to you. We’ll explain what a stay of foreclosure is and how it can temporarily stop the foreclosure process. If you need to go to court to get a stay of foreclosure or to resolve other issues, we’ll represent you.

Contact us now to schedule a free case review and learn more about how we can help you with emergency relief and a stay of foreclosure. Let us help you move forward and work towards saving your home.