Oxon Hill, MD Foreclosure Defense Attorney

Experienced Foreclosure Defense Lawyer for Clients on Oxon Hill

When your mortgage becomes unmanageable, you may be confronted by your home lender with notice of foreclosure. Catching up on your late mortgage payments in a short amount of time may seem impossible, but with the help of an Oxon Hill foreclosure defense lawyer, you can explore your options to get current on your arrearages and address your other debts.

At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we understand just how urgent foreclosure proceedings are. We have helped many people struggling with debts in the past, and we have personally helped clients keep their homes with our legal strategies. We will work with you to preserve your home for future generations through bankruptcy, advising you of your best course of action throughout your case.

How Filing for Bankruptcy Can Stop Foreclosure Proceedings

Filing for bankruptcy in Oxon Hill, MD triggers an immediate automatic stay, a formal injunction that halts most collection actions against you. Once the stay takes effect, mortgage lenders must suspend foreclosure filings, eviction actions, and any attempts to seize your property. This pause gives you the time and legal protection necessary to organize your finances and explore long-term solutions. Lenders cannot change locks, turn off utilities, or pursue wage garnishment while the stay remains in place.

The automatic stay also provides leverage in negotiations with your mortgage servicer. Facing a court-supervised repayment or liquidation plan, lenders often become more receptive to loan modifications, reinstatement agreements, or other forbearance measures. You gain the opportunity to discuss reduced interest rates, extended loan terms, or principal reductions without the pressure of an imminent sale. While the stay does not forgive debt, it ensures that you retain control of your home and your path forward.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy for Foreclosure Defense

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a common choice for homeowners aiming to retain their residence. Under this chapter, debtors propose a repayment plan that consolidates past-due mortgage payments, secured debts, and applicable fees into an affordable monthly installment. In Oxon Hill's housing market, a well-structured plan can protect both your investment and your equity. Approval by the bankruptcy court ensures that your payment schedule is legally binding and enforceable.

In contrast to Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which results in the liquidation of nonexempt assets, Chapter 13 allows you to keep all of your property so long as you adhere to the repayment plan. During the three to five-year plan term, you continue making regular mortgage payments directly to the servicer while paying down arrears through the trustee. Once you complete all payments under the plan, any remaining unsecured debts such as credit card balances may be discharged. This dual benefit of home retention and debt relief makes Chapter 13 a powerful foreclosure defense tool.

The Process of Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

The journey to Chapter 13 begins with mandatory credit counseling, usually completed online or by phone within 180 days before filing. After counseling, your attorney prepares and files the bankruptcy petition, schedules, and repayment plan with the Maryland district bankruptcy court. Within days of filing, the automatic stay takes effect and creditors receive notification of the case. You must then attend the 341 meeting of creditors, where the trustee and any creditors may ask questions about your financial situation and your ability to pay off the debts according to the repayment plan.

Following the meeting, the court holds a confirmation hearing to approve or modify your proposed plan. If the judge confirms the plan, you begin submitting payments to the Chapter 13 trustee, who distributes funds to your mortgage lender and other creditors according to the plan terms.

Contact an Oxon Hill, Maryland Foreclosure Defense Lawyer

At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we can provide you with legal advice and representation throughout a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition, fighting to protect your home. If you have any questions, we offer free consultations in consumer cases. Contact our Oxon Hill foreclosure defense attorney or call our offices at 301-614-0535 to get started today.