Foreclosure Defense in Portland, ME

Are you currently facing a threat of foreclosure in Portland, Maine or are already going through proceedings? Consult with an experienced foreclosure defense lawyer to find out what your options are to save your home.

What Is Foreclosure?

The process begins when a Portland, ME homeowner does not make a mortgage payment. In Maine, you cannot be charged late fees until you are 15 days delinquent on your mortgage payment. However, Maine lenders generally allow 90 to 120 days grace before beginning the foreclosure process. If after this time, the homeowner has not resolved the payment issue, the lender can begin to foreclose on the house. The home is sold to recover the losses from the owner being unable to pay their mortgage as stipulated in the mortgage contract.

Foreclosure By Power of Sale

The power of sale is a clause in the mortgage or deed of trust. It states that the lender can foreclose without court oversight. Portland homeowners shouldn’t worry because Maine is a judicial-only foreclosure state. Consequently, power of sale foreclosures are not allowed in Portland. According to the Maine law, the lender must first give you a Notice of Default. You then have 35 days to make any overdue payments. If you do not, the lender can file a foreclosure complaint with the court. If the lender can prove that you meet these criteria, they can sell the foreclosed home.

Foreclosure By Judicial Sale

Foreclosure by judicial sale involves the sale of a mortgaged property under the supervision of the court. The court proceedings work first to satisfy the mortgage, then to satisfy the lien holders, and then to the lender. Foreclosure by judicial sale requires the lender to navigate the legal process carefully to ensure anyone who buys the foreclosed property legally owns the title.

Types of Foreclosure Defenses

If you’re in the process of foreclosure, you’ll want to do everything in your power to stop the foreclosure. Here are common foreclosure defenses your Portland attorney might recommend.

The Bank Didn’t Follow State Procedures

The foreclosure process is complex and time-consuming; oftentimes, that leads to errors. If the bank or other lender didn’t follow Portland, Maine foreclosure procedures, you might have a good case for stopping the foreclosure.

The Mortgage Servicer Made Mistakes

It is possible for mortgage services to make mistakes when handling homeowners’ accounts. Here are some of the most common mistakes to look out for:

• Dual tracking, which means pursuing foreclosure at the same time a different loan modification is pending
• Sending your mortgage payments to the wrong party
• Overstating the amount of money you owe for your mortgage payments
• Imposing excessive fees for late payments that weren’t stipulated in the mortgage contract

If you think the mortgage servicer made these or other mistakes, contact an attorney in Portland, ME right away to help you stop the foreclosure process. This is one of the best options available to help you save your home.

You’re on Active Duty

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides special protections to people who are on active duty. This prevents lenders in Portland from being able to foreclose your home without a proper court proceeding. It allows you to provide a defense with the help of an experienced foreclosure attorney.

The main protection is if you took out your mortgage prior to being on active duty, the foreclosure proceedings must occur in court even if that is not the norm unless you sign a waiver for the lender.

The Foreclosing Party Lacks “Standing”

The foreclosing party is the party that owns the loan. If the lender can’t prove that they own the loan, then that means they lack “standing”. They then can’t foreclose the home.

This actually happens a lot because banks often bundle your loan with other loans and sell them to other banks or investors. This can make it difficult to track who exactly owns the loan for your house.

The Statute of Limitations Has Passed

The statute of limitations protects homeowners from foreclosure if a significant amount of time has passed since they stopped making their mortgage payments. Believe it or not, some mortgages or missed payments do slip through the cracks.

According to the Maine Legislature, the statute of limitations on foreclosures due to non-payment is 6 years. If the statute of limitations expires on your Portland foreclosure, this issue can be put in front of a judge. However, new state legislation attempts to reduce the number of unnecessary foreclosure actions. Maine’s Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection now provides assistance for foreclosure avoidance in Portland. Specifically, borrowers may now choose mediation at which parties must evaluate foreclosure alternatives in good faith.  In addition, Portland borrowers now have access to mortgage reinstatement, loan modification and debt restructuring.

Additional Foreclosure Defenses

Here are some less common foreclosure defense options:

• You’re already making payments on a loan modification, which means the foreclosure should not initiate
• You believe the lender violated federal regulations if you have a VA, USDA, or FHA loan.
• You never received a breach of contract letter from the lender informing you of the violation of your mortgage contract or deed of trust.

Preparing for the Foreclosure Defense Process

When an attorney takes on your case in Portland, Maine, it’s important to remember that there are no guarantees that you’ll win, but your chances just climbed higher. Each foreclosure case is unique and requires a deep understanding of your state’s foreclosure laws. A good attorney knows how to navigate the court system and will help you find any and all loopholes that can work to your advantage.

If you live in a state where foreclosures always happen in civil court, your attorney will simply bring any issues with the foreclosure up to the judge. If you live in a state where foreclosures typically happen outside of the court system, you and an attorney may have to start the judicial process by filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

A foreclosure lawsuit in Portland will typically be filed with the Cumberland County Courts. Once you file the complaint, you will be served with a Summons and a copy of the Complaint. You must file an answer or ask for mediation within 20 days of being served by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Otherwise, you will lose certain rights and opportunities to save your home. If you  request mediation, the Cumberland County Clerk will notify you regarding the timing and location of the mediation sessions. Even if you cannot stop the case, the attorney can help you stall the process while you get your affairs in order.

Work with an Experienced Foreclosure Defense Lawyer in Portland, Maine

Even if you feel you don’t have a viable case, an attorney may find solid grounds for fighting the foreclosure. Consulting with a Portland, ME attorney is an objective way to find out if your case is worth going to court. Most first-time consultations with a lawyer are free, which means there’s no risk involved.

Take the first big steps toward fighting to keep your home. You can also delay the process for as long as possible until you find a new one. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Maine state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!