Received foreclosure complaint- now what?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Received foreclosure complaint- now what?

The house is the last remnant of my marriage to my ex husband. I knew the foreclosure was coming and now that I was served, know I have 35 days to answer. How do I answer? What is the 60 day remediation? I tried working with the bank in the past but my ex is uncooperative and wouldn’t produce the tax documents I needed. Will a judge be understanding of this as I get everything together. And, most important, how much time do I have before I get out of the house where I live with my two kids?

Asked on May 23, 2017 under Real Estate Law, New Jersey

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 7 years ago | Contributor

To answer effectively you need a *legal* reason why the foreclosure should not occur, such as that there is someone with a higher-priority loan or lien (since the foreclosure cannot cut off their rights), or not all owners of the property were given notice (since they all must get notice), or the notice of the borrowers rights (the "TILA", or "Truth-in-Lending Act," notice) given you with the mortgage was deficient (and how it was deficient; you'd need to show this), etc. Practical reasons or reasons having to do with your life, your finances, your relationship, etc. (such as that your ex is uncooperative) will not help.
You don't have to leave for months yet, possibly longer: foreclosure actions in NJ typically take months to be processed by the courts. Then after foreclosure is approved, the home has to be sold at the sheriff's sale. Then after that, if the new owner wants you out, they would need to bring a legal action, such as "ejectment" action ("ejectment" is eviction for non-tenants) to actually get you out. It is a multi-step process. So nothing is imminent. 
The 60-day period refers to the time you have to catch up on the loan; if you can, they cannot foreclose.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption