Randallstown Foreclosure Defense Lawyer

Dedicated Foreclosure Defense Attorney in Randallstown, Maryland

If you have fallen behind on your mortgage, you may be worried about the impending threat of foreclosure by your home lender. On top of your mortgage payments, you may be burdened with other necessary expenses that make getting current on your loans difficult. To remedy the situation and maintain ownership of your home, reach out to a Randallstown, Maryland foreclosure defense lawyer.

At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we understand how stressful it can be to try to avoid foreclosure in the face of overwhelming debts. Attorney Donald Bell can help you file for bankruptcy, working out a personalized strategy to get current on your mortgage.

Why Consider Chapter 13 Bankruptcy for Foreclosure Defense?

When foreclosure looms over your home, Chapter 13 bankruptcy can offer a lifeline. Unlike Chapter 7, which liquidates assets, Chapter 13 lets you reorganize debts and keep your property while working to pay off your debts at a manageable pace. Our attorney can work with you to craft a repayment plan based on your income and expenses, stretching arrears over three to five years.

By filing Chapter 13, you trigger an automatic stay that halts foreclosure proceedings immediately, buying you precious time to negotiate with your lender. This stay not only stops the sale of your home but also pauses creditor calls, wage garnishments, and utility shut-offs.

Chapter 13 is especially appealing if you have a stable income, equity in your home, or non-exempt assets you wish to protect. With a repayment plan in place, you can retain control of your property and catch up on missed mortgage payments through manageable monthly installments. Over the life of the plan, your interest rate may be reduced, and certain unsecured debts like credit card balances can be partially discharged. For homeowners facing a financial crisis, Chapter 13 turns an imminent foreclosure into a structured path toward regaining financial stability.

When Should You File for Bankruptcy?

It is often better to file for bankruptcy before foreclosure proceedings have begun. Once a lender records a notice of default or schedules a sale, you risk being locked out of key legal options. Filing early ensures that an automatic stay interrupts the process at its inception, preventing fees and penalties from piling up. If you wait until after a sale date is set, you may need to seek hardship relief or cram-down motions—procedures that add complexity and cost.

Even if you believe you can catch up in time, unforeseen setbacks like the loss of your job, a medical emergency, or car repairs can derail your plan. By acting preemptively, you preserve more of your equity and avoid the nerve-wracking uncertainty of a pending auction.

How Mortgage Arrears Are Addressed in Chapter 13

In a Chapter 13 repayment plan, mortgage arrears are folded into a monthly payment that gives priority to the most urgent obligations. This structure allows you to steadily chip away at arrears while protecting your home from sale.

If your mortgage is adjustable-rate or has balloon payments, our firm can negotiate modifications or even file motions to strip off a second mortgage, further reducing your overall burden. Upon completion of the plan, any remaining unsecured debt is discharged, and you emerge free of past arrears and with your home intact.

Meet With a Randallstown, MD Foreclosure Defense Attorney

Choosing Chapter 13 bankruptcy for foreclosure defense empowers you to regain control over your financial future. At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we can sit down with you to discuss your strategy for catching up on your mortgage, developing a repayment plan within your means.

We offer free consultations in consumer cases. Call us at 301-614-0535 or contact our Randallstown foreclosure defense lawyer to get started.