In many discussions about mortgage foreclosures the terms
judicial and non-judicial foreclosure are used. They involve very different processes. These terms refer to how individual states handle real estate foreclosure. Under both systems, time frames and terms vary widely from state to state. The following is a brief, general description of both
processes. The accompanying chart (see last page) depicts the varying time frames involved in the judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosures

A judicial foreclosure is a court proceeding that begins when the lender files a complaint and records a notice in the public land records announcing a claim on the property to potential buyers, creditors and other interested parties. The complaint describes the debt, the borrower’s default and the amount owed. The complaint asks the court to allow the lender to foreclose its lien and take possession of the property as a remedy for non-payment.

The homeowner is served notice of the complaint, either by mail, direct service or publication of the notice. The defendant (borrower) is permitted to dispute the facts (such as show that payments were made), offer defenses or present counterclaims by answering the complaint, filing a separate suit, and/or by attending a hearing arranged by the court. If the defendant shows there are differences of material facts, a trial will be held by the court to determine if foreclosure should occur. In the vast
majority of cases, however, the foreclosure action is undisputed because the borrower is in default and cannot offer facts to the contrary. If the court determines the homeowner did default and that the debt is valid, it will issue a judgment in favor of the servicer for the total amount owed, including costs for the foreclosure process. In order for the judge to determine the amount of the judgment, the servicer submits paperwork through an affidavit that itemizes the amounts due.

Twenty two states use judicial procedures as the primary way to foreclose.
These include: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin.

In all other states, foreclosure is usually handled by attorneys who follow a state-provided process. In the mortgage documents, borrowers give lenders the “power of sale” outside of judicial process in the event of an uncured default. Documentation or affidavit issues are not common in these states because of the non-judicial nature of the process.

Next, the court will authorize a sheriff’s sale. The sale is an auction of the property open to anyone, and must be held in a public place. Procedures for a sheriff’s sale in each locality differ, but the individual with the highest bid is granted the property. After the sale is confirmed by the court, the deed, which transfers ownership, is prepared, recorded and the highest bidder becomes the owner of the property.

In most cases, the highest bidder is the servicer, who takes title of the property. The servicer then can sell the property. At this point, it is called
real estate owned (REO).

Non-Judicial Foreclosures

The requirements for non-judicial foreclosure are established by state statute; there is no court intervention. When the default occurs, the homeowner is mailed a default letter and in many states a
Notice of Default is recorded, at or about the same time. The homeowner may cure the debt during a prescribed period; if not, a Notice of Sale is mailed to the homeowner, posted in public places, recorded
at the county’s recorder’s office, and published in area newspapers
/legal publications. When the legally required notice period (determined by each state) has expired, a public auction is held and the highest
bidder becomes the owner of the property, subject to recordation of the deed. Prior to the sale, if the borrower disagrees with the facts of the case, he or she can try to file a lawsuit to enjoin the trustee’s sale.

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