Foreclosure is the process by which your lender attempts to gain their money back after you stopped making payments. The foreclosure process is different from state to state; however, there are two significant types of foreclosure:

Judicial foreclosure process

In states where foreclosure is judicial, lenders have to file a lawsuit before foreclosing your home. The court will decide whether or not they can proceed with a foreclosure sale.

Non-judicial foreclosure process

In a non-judicial foreclosure process, your lender only needs to wait 120 days after you stopped making payments according to the federal law, and they can go ahead and sell your home. You will be notified before your home is foreclosed, and when a sale is made. However, except you file a lawsuit against your lender, all the processes will be done outside the court.

However, foreclosure is processed in your state; you will need a lawyer’s service to stop foreclosure effectively. When you go through a judicial foreclosure process, you will need a lawyer to help you reply to the court summons properly or help you tender your defenses to stop foreclosure in court. Suppose your state uses a non-judicial foreclosure process. In that case, you will also need a lawyer to help you file a lawsuit against your lender if you’ve been cheated.

Provided you want to go through the loss mitigation process, you will need a lawyer to help you with the negotiation process. And make sure you did not sign documents that can stand against you in the future. With a lawyer on your team, foreclosure can be less stressful and time-saving. You will also save yourself from unnecessary charges and liabilities.

Suppose you can’t afford to hire a lawyer. In that case, there are government programs that provide you with free counseling sessions, mediator, legal advice, and other services to help you stop foreclosure. Find out how to apply for such programs in your state, and you will save your home in no time.