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White Marsh, Maryland Foreclosure Defense Attorney
Supportive Foreclosure Defense Lawyer in White Marsh, MD
The threat of foreclosure is a worst-case scenario for many homeowners. If you are facing pressure from your bank or lender to catch up on your mortgage arrears, you might feel overwhelmed, but with legal guidance from a White Marsh foreclosure defense lawyer, you can take action to protect your home.
Attorney Donald Bell of The Law Office of Donald L. Bell has over 20 years of legal experience, and over the course of his career, he has personally helped many clients protect their most valuable assets through smart bankruptcy petitions. We can provide you with one-on-one counsel, working with you to find a solution within your financial means.
Why Choose Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers a clear path to keep your home when you fall behind on mortgage payments. Unlike Chapter 7, which liquidates assets, Chapter 13 allows you to reorganize debts while retaining ownership of your property. Our attorney will evaluate your income, assets, and goals to determine whether Chapter 13 is the best fit. By filing, you gain access to the court's protection—and a structured process—to catch up on arrears over three to five years.
Chapter 13 also helps you avoid the uncertainty and stress of foreclosure auctions. From the moment your case is filed, the automatic stay goes into effect, immediately halting any foreclosure notices, sheriff's sales, and creditor communications. This reprieve gives you time to develop a feasible repayment plan without the looming threat of losing your home.
Mortgages and Other Debts in a Chapter 13 Repayment Plan
A Chapter 13 plan separates your secured debts—such as your primary mortgage, second lien, or auto loans—and your unsecured debts, like credit cards and medical bills. Each month, you make a single payment to the Chapter 13 trustee, who distributes funds to creditors according to the priorities established under Maryland and federal bankruptcy law.
Your repayment plan can:
- Cure mortgage arrears by spreading missed payments over the plan term
- Reduce interest rates on certain debts when permissible under the Bankruptcy Code
- Strip off wholly unsecured junior liens if the value of your home is less than the balance on your first mortgage
You continue making current mortgage payments directly to your lender or trustee while your arrears are addressed within the plan. This dual-track payment structure helps you stay current and prevents back-end lump-sum demands that often trigger foreclosure.
What Does an Automatic Stay Do Against Foreclosure?
The automatic stay is the cornerstone of bankruptcy relief. It is a court order that immediately stops most collection actions, including:
- Filing or continuing foreclosure proceedings against your home
- Initiating or enforcing judgments such as wage garnishments and bank levies
- Sending debt-collection letters or making harassing phone calls
In White Marsh, where foreclosure timelines can vary, even a brief pause can make the difference between losing your home and regaining control. Once the stay is in effect, lenders must seek court approval before resuming any foreclosure steps. If they proceed without permission, you may have a cause of action for damages.
Since the automatic stay lasts only as long as your bankruptcy case remains open, it is crucial to confirm your repayment plan quickly. Our attorney will prepare and file your petition and proposed plan, guide you through the meeting of creditors, and address any objections from your mortgage lender or the trustee.
Contact a White Marsh Foreclosure Defense Lawyer
At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we work with homeowners to find real solutions to overwhelming mortgage arrears. We will take the time to develop a personalized repayment plan and address any questions posed by the court or your trustee, looking out for your best interests all the while.
We offer free consultations in consumer cases. Contact our White Marsh foreclosure defense attorney or call 301-614-0535 to get started.
Get Control of Your Life Back and Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation
Office Locations
Columbia, MD Office
Proudly Serving Greenbelt, MD and surrounding areas including Berwyn Heights, Hollywood, Lanham, Seabrook, New Carrollton, Wildercroft, College Park, Silver Spring, Rockville, Bowie, Burtonsville, Largo, Takoma Park, Upper Marlboro, Clinton, Hyattsville, Annapolis, Crofton, Columbia, Ellicott City, Beltsville, Landover, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Glen Burnie, Catonsville, Laurel, Germantown, Gaithersburg, Potomac, Pasadena, Severna Park, Baltimore, Frederick, Olney, Langley Park, National Harbor, District Heights, Odenton, Edgewater, Severn, Linthicum Heights, Gambrills, Owings Mills, Pikesville, Towson, Snowden Pond, Acredale, Ammendale, and White Oak Manor.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
