Maryland Consumer Mortage
and Foreclosure Attorney
MJ Adams Law helps people avoid foreclosure in Maryland and D.C.
When you're at risk of losing your home to foreclosure, it may feel like all hope is lost.
But you may have options to keep your home that don't involve bankruptcy.
Let's talk through your options.
How a Foreclosure
Lawyer Can Help
Facing foreclosure is stressful enough without trying to untangle Maryland’s complicated foreclosure process on your own.
The timeline is fast, the paperwork is full of legal terms, and one missed deadline can make it much harder to protect your home.
The reality is, you don’t just need legal knowledge—you need someone who can take the pressure off, give you straight answers, and guide you through each step so you’re not facing it alone.
That’s where having a lawyer on your side makes a difference, and our firm will explain your options, protect your rights, handle the legal process, and fight for you in court.
Explain Your
Options Clearly
You may qualify for a loan modification, repayment plan, or even mediation through Maryland’s foreclosure process, but it takes knowing which route fits your situation.
Protect
Your Rights
Mortgage companies and their lawyers are focused on moving the case forward quickly. An attorney makes sure the bank follows the law and doesn’t take shortcuts.
Handle Deadlines
and Documents
From responding to court filings to submitting requests for mediation, your lawyer keeps track of the details that can stop a foreclosure in its tracks.
Stand Up for
You in Court
If your case reaches a judge, you’ll want someone experienced in Maryland foreclosure law to present your defense.
Why Do Foreclosures Happen in Maryland?
There isn’t anything unique to Maryland that might lead to foreclosure on your home. With that said, though, there’s various reasons why it might happen to you. Here’s a few of the more common ones:
Divorce
Splitting up a household can be overwhelming, both emotionally and financially. If one person moves out, covering the mortgage on a single income can be a real challenge, and missed payments can quickly pile up.
Death or Injuries
A serious injury or the loss of a loved one can disrupt your income or make it hard to manage bills. It’s not unusual for foreclosure to start during these tough times.
Losing Your Job
Even a short period of unemployment can make it difficult to keep up with mortgage payments. Job changes, layoffs, or reduced hours can all lead to missed payments if you don’t have a safety net.
Falling Behind
Life is expensive, and sometimes bills stack up faster than expected. Even a few late or missed payments can start the foreclosure process if they go unaddressed.
No matter what the reason is, you don’t have to face this alone.
Our team will be there to help you understand your options, gather the right paperwork, and take steps to protect your home every step of the way.
But it’s still helpful to know how the process works.
How Does the Foreclosure Process Work in Maryland?
If you’ve missed a few mortgage payments, you might start getting letters from the bank, phone calls, or even notices taped to your door.
Foreclosure isn’t something that happens overnight, but once the process begins, it moves quickly.
Here’s what usually happens:.
Early notices
from the lender
At first, you’ll get reminders and warning letters. Maryland law requires the lender to give you certain notices before they can take legal action.
Maryland law requires the lender to send you a Notice of Intent (NOI) to foreclose before they can take legal action. This NOI can be mailed as early as 75 days after your missed payment and at least 45 days before getting the court involved.
The court
gets involved
After four months, or 120 days of missed payments, the lender’s lawyer can file what is called an Order to Docket. That’s the official start of foreclosure in Maryland and the lender will serve you with a copy.
Your chance to request mediation
Included with the paperwork from the court, will be a request for foreclosure mediation form. You’ll get the option to ask for foreclosure mediation, but you only have 25 days to send in the form.
Mediation gives you the chance to sit down with the lender, in front of a neutral mediator, to see if you can work out a solution like a loan modification or repayment plan.
Catching up
on payments
Maryland law often gives you time to bring your loan current—even after foreclosure is filed. That means if you can pay the missed payments, fees, and costs, you can still stop the process.
Foreclosure sale
If things can’t be worked out, the lender can schedule a foreclosure auction. You’ll get notice of the date, and the sale has to be advertised publicly.
Court approval
Even after the auction, the court has to approve (or “ratify”) the sale. This step sometimes gives homeowners a last opportunity to raise objections if the lender didn’t follow the rules.
From Baltimore rowhomes to single-family houses in Montgomery County, the process follows the same steps.
What makes the difference is how quickly you respond and whether you know your options at each stage.
What Are My Options to Avoid Foreclosure on My Home?
It might seem like your options are limited with a foreclosure, but the truth is that you always have options once the process starts. That’s where my firm can really be beneficial, keeping you informed and standing up for you. With that said, though, it’s ultimately up to you.
Generally, options can be broken down into two main categories:
Avoidance
“Avoidance” is exactly what it sounds like, where you work with your lender to stop or delay the process before it ends with you losing your home. To do that, you generally can:
- Go to mediation, as long as you request it within the 25-day period.
- Look into alternatives like forbearance or a loan modification.
- Get a Right to Cure.
- Refinance or sell.
- Filing for bankruptcy, which pauses foreclosure through an automatic stay. This can buy you time to reorganize your debts
Defense
If the process is moving forward, you will then have to go to court and defend your case against the bank. Our team will represent you, but usually, it involves the following:
- Challenging mistakes by your lender.
- Even after an auction, you can object in court if the lender didn’t follow proper legal steps.
No matter where you are in the process, the sooner you act, the more options you’ll have to protect your home.
Contact Us Today
What Documentation Can Help My Claim For Avoiding Foreclosure?
Even though foreclosure isn’t like a typical court case, you’ll still need to gather documentation and information. The stronger your records, the better your chances of avoiding foreclosure—and it makes it much easier for our team to guide you every step of the way.
Here’s what you’ll want to focus on:
- Mortgage statements – You’ll want your recent statements so you can show your payment history, current balance, and any fees.
- Proof of payments – Equally important is to have proof of payment. You’ll need receipts, canceled checks, or bank records that show what you’ve paid, even if it was only partial during a tough time.
- Hardship records – Any letters, emails, or forms that explain why you fell behind, like medical bills, a job loss, or unexpected expenses, is going to be important–especially if things go to court.
- Lender communications – Having copies of letters, emails, or notes from phone calls about repayment plans, forbearance, or loan modifications will show that you’ve tried to work with your bank.
- Income and expense information – Another key thing is to have pay stubs, tax returns, or bills that show what you earn and what you need to cover your costs.
- Court and mediation paperwork – Notices from the court, your request for mediation, or confirmations that you participated in Maryland’s foreclosure mediation process.
Having these documents ready doesn’t just help your case—it makes it easier for our team to step in and take action quickly. Deadlines in Maryland move fast, and being prepared can be the difference between keeping your home or losing it. We’ll be there to guide you through the process, making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do I have to stop a foreclosure once I get the notice?
In Maryland, you typically have 25 days from receiving the foreclosure notice to request mediation and explore options to avoid the sale. Acting quickly gives you the best chance to protect your home.
Can I work with my lender directly?
Yes, you can speak with your lender about repayment plans, forbearance, or loan modifications, but having our team guide you can make sure your rights are protected and that any agreement is fair and legal.
Will I lose my house if things go to court?
Not necessarily. Maryland foreclosures are judicial, which means a judge reviews the case before a sale can happen. At this stage, our team can help challenge mistakes, present defenses, and make sure the lender followed all required steps.
Contact MJ Adams Law to Avoid Foreclosure in Maryland
You never want to be in a situation where you lose your house, especially if you’ve fallen behind on payments because of something out of your control.
But no matter what your circumstances are, MJ Adams Law will be there to help.
We have the experience and resources to guide you through the foreclosure process. Whether you need help getting back on your feet or avoiding foreclosure altogether, we’ll be there.
Set up a free consultation today to get started.
