Ellicott City, Maryland Foreclosure Defense Lawyer

Skilled Attorney Handling Foreclosure Defense Cases in Ellicott City, MD

Keeping up with your mortgage can be difficult when you are juggling multiple financial obligations at the same time. An unexpected emergency could also put a major dent in your funds, leaving you unable to make payments on time. If you are at risk of losing your home, seek professional legal representation. An Ellicott City, MD foreclosure defense attorney can advise you of your rights and work toward a realistic solution based on your situation.

At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we know how stressful it can be to face collection actions by your bank or lender. With over 20 years of experience in consumer bankruptcy law, Attorney Donald Bell can help you take calm, measured steps to protect your home.

Should You File for Bankruptcy to Protect Your Home?

Many people hesitate to think about bankruptcy because of the stigma around it. They may feel embarrassed, or they may worry that filing means they have failed. In reality, bankruptcy is a legal tool that can help people protect important assets and get control of debt when things have become unmanageable. In a foreclosure case, filing for bankruptcy may give you time, protection, and a chance to keep your home.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy work differently. Chapter 7 is often used to wipe out certain unsecured debts, such as credit card balances and medical bills, in a shorter process. It may help free up funds, but it does not usually give you a long-term way to catch up on missed mortgage payments. Chapter 13 is often the better fit for a homeowner trying to stop foreclosure because it lets a person with regular income steadily pay off their debts while preventing collection actions.

Removing a Second Mortgage Through Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

In some situations, Chapter 13 may do more than stop foreclosure. It may also help a homeowner deal with a second mortgage or home equity line of credit. When a home is worth less than the balance owed on the first mortgage, the junior lien may be removed through Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This is sometimes called lien stripping. In the right case, removing that second mortgage can make it easier for a homeowner to save the property and complete a workable repayment plan.

This option can make a major difference for homeowners in Ellicott City, where families may be struggling not only with past-due mortgage payments, but also with added pressure from a second loan. Our attorney can review your situation to see if your second mortgage can be removed.

Steps in Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Ellicott City?

A Chapter 13 case begins with preparing the required bankruptcy forms, schedules, and repayment plan. The filer must provide detailed information about income, expenses, debts, assets, and creditors. The District of Maryland publishes required forms for Chapter 13 cases, and the court also requires debtors to complete certain educational steps during the process.

After the case is filed, the debtor must attend the 341 meeting of creditors, which is handled virtually in Maryland for many cases. Creditors have the opportunity to appear and ask questions. In a Chapter 13 case, there is also a confirmation hearing on the repayment plan. The debtor must complete the required steps, stay current with plan obligations, and follow court procedures through the final bankruptcy hearing and discharge process.

Contact an Ellicott City Foreclosure Defense Attorney

At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we can review your situation, explain whether Chapter 13 may help protect your home, and guide you through the bankruptcy process step by step. Call 301-614-0535 or contact our Ellicott City, MD foreclosure defense lawyer to start discussing your options. We offer free consultations for consumer cases.