Brooklyn Park, Maryland Foreclosure Defense Lawyer

Skilled Foreclosure Defense Attorney for Homeowners in Brooklyn Park

Being a homeowner means juggling several expenses and financial obligations at any given time. However, when these financial obligations become too much to deal with, you may be faced with the threat of foreclosure by your home lender. While this may seem like cause for panic, you still have options. A Brooklyn Park, MD foreclosure defense attorney can help you address your outstanding debts to take control of your mortgage.

At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we have years of experience helping clients through financial issues by filing for bankruptcy. Attorney Donald Bell has over 20 years of legal experience, and as a solo practitioner, he will work with you one-on-one, discussing viable strategies to protect your home.

What Type of Bankruptcy Is Best for Avoiding Foreclosure?

Homeowners facing foreclosure often wonder whether Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy offers the strongest protection. Chapter 7 provides a fresh start by liquidating nonexempt assets to pay unsecured creditors, but it generally cannot cure a mortgage arrearage. Under Chapter 7, the automatic stay stops foreclosure only temporarily, and once the stay expires, lenders may resume foreclosure proceedings.

By contrast, Chapter 13 allows you to reorganize your debts and repay missed mortgage payments over a three- to five-year period. Since Chapter 13 treats secured debts differently, you can "cure" past-due mortgage amounts while continuing regular payments on the current loan balance. This feature makes Chapter 13 the preferred option for homeowners who have fallen behind on mortgage installments but wish to remain in their home.

Developing a Repayment Plan in Chapter 13

Once you file a Chapter 13 petition in bankruptcy court, an automatic stay immediately halts foreclosure activity. You then work with a bankruptcy trustee to propose a repayment plan that allocates your disposable income toward priority debts (such as taxes and child support), arrearages on your mortgage, secured loans, and, if any funds remain, unsecured creditors.

Plan terms typically last between 36 and 60 months, depending on whether your income is above or below the applicable median. A well-drafted plan will allocate enough to catch up on your mortgage arrears while keeping current on ongoing payments.

During plan confirmation, our firm will negotiate with the trustee and your mortgage servicer to verify the arrearage amount and set the monthly cure payment. Successful confirmation binds your lender to the plan's terms, preventing any modification to your mortgage interest rate or principal balance without court approval.

How a Discharge of Debts Can Help Homeowners

At the conclusion of a Chapter 13 plan, you receive a discharge of remaining dischargeable debts, which may include credit card balances, medical bills, and other unsecured obligations. Although the underlying mortgage survived the bankruptcy, completing the plan means you emerge with arrears cured and only the ongoing mortgage obligation remaining. The discharge prevents unsecured creditors from pursuing post-plan collections, freeing up income for your mortgage and living expenses.

In cases where second mortgages or home-equity lines of credit exceed the home's value, Chapter 13 may strip those liens entirely through lien-avoidance motions in bankruptcy. By extinguishing or reducing junior liens, you lower your overall housing costs and make your mortgage more sustainable. For homeowners in Brooklyn Park, MD, Chapter 13 offers both immediate relief from foreclosure and a clear path to keep your home while rebuilding your financial footing.

Contact a Brooklyn Park, MD Foreclosure Defense Attorney

At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we can guide you through your petition and work to protect your best interests for the future ahead as we develop a personalized debt solution based on your circumstances. We offer free consumer consultations. Call our offices at 301-614-0535 or contact our Brooklyn Park, Maryland foreclosure defense lawyer today.