Chevy Chase, Maryland Foreclosure Defense Lawyer

Skilled Foreclosure Defense Attorney for Clients in Chevy Chase

When bills start to pile up, you may end up falling behind on your mortgage. While a single late payment usually is not an issue, home lenders can go after your house if you fall too far behind. If you are concerned about losing your home to your bank or lender, get in contact with a Chevy Chase, MD foreclosure defense attorney.

At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we have years of experience representing homeowners in consumer bankruptcy cases. We can sit down with you to discuss your options, whether you are looking to prevent an impending foreclosure or you are actively going through the foreclosure process.

Should You Consider Chapter 13 Bankruptcy During Foreclosure?

When a homeowner falls behind on mortgage payments, the threat of foreclosure can feel immediate and overwhelming. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is one legal tool that may allow you to pause foreclosure proceedings while creating a structured plan to catch up on what you owe. For homeowners in Chevy Chase who are facing the loss of their home, understanding how this process works is a reasonable first step.

Chapter 13 does not eliminate your mortgage debt, but it does give you the opportunity to repay your arrears over a period of three to five years while keeping your home. Once a bankruptcy petition is filed, an automatic stay goes into effect. This stay temporarily stops most collection efforts, including foreclosure sales. It gives you and your attorney time to develop a repayment plan and present it to the court.

Whether Chapter 13 makes sense for your situation depends on factors like your income, the total amount past due, your other debts, and how far along the foreclosure process has gone. Speaking with an attorney before the situation worsens can help you understand what options are realistically available to you.

First Steps in Filing for Chapter 13 as a Homeowner in Chevy Chase

Filing for Chapter 13 begins with gathering detailed financial information. You will need documentation of your income, monthly expenses, mortgage statements, and a full list of your debts and assets. This information forms the foundation of your bankruptcy petition and repayment plan.

After filing, the court schedules a meeting of creditors, which is also called a 341 meeting. This is a relatively brief proceeding where a trustee reviews your financial information and creditors have the opportunity to ask questions. Your repayment plan is then submitted for court approval. Once confirmed, you make monthly payments to the trustee, who distributes funds to your creditors according to the plan.

Meeting filing deadlines and court requirements is critical throughout this process. Missing a payment or failing to comply with the plan's terms can result in the bankruptcy being dismissed, which could allow foreclosure to resume.

Discharging Unsecured Debts in Your Repayment Plan

One significant benefit of Chapter 13 is that it can address unsecured debts, such as credit cards and medical bills, alongside your mortgage arrears. While your mortgage itself must be repaid in full, unsecured debts are often paid at a fraction of what is owed. At the end of a successfully completed repayment plan, the remaining balance on eligible unsecured debts may be discharged.

This structure can free up financial resources and make it more realistic for a homeowner to stay current going forward. It also consolidates debt into a single monthly payment rather than leaving you to manage multiple creditors at once.

Not all debts are dischargeable. Student loans, certain tax obligations, and domestic support obligations generally survive bankruptcy. An attorney can help you understand which of your debts would be addressed through the plan and what to expect at the end of the process.

Contact a Chevy Chase, MD Foreclosure Defense Attorney

If you are behind on your mortgage or have already received notice of foreclosure, time is of the essence. Call 301-614-0535 or contact our Chevy Chase, Maryland foreclosure defense lawyer at The Law Office of Donald L. Bell to schedule a consultation. We offer free consults in consumer cases.