Foreclosure Defense Lawyers Serving Tallahassee and Leon County

If you don’t file a response within 20 days, the court can enter a default judgment against you. The lender can then set a sale date. After the auction, the new owner can ask for a writ of possession to have you removed. Ignoring the case closes doors like mediation, loan modification, or payment plans. A short, timely response keeps options alive.

Yes—if filed before the sale. Chapter 13 stops the sale right away and lets you catch up missed payments over time. Chapter 7 also pauses things, but it usually won’t help you keep the home long-term unless other factors apply. Timing matters: filing after the auction won’t undo a completed sale.

Often, yes. Many lenders will still review a complete application even with a sale date on the calendar. The loan modification package must be submitted at least 37 days prior to the scheduled sale date.  If they are reviewing a full package, we can ask the court to postpone the sale or use bankruptcy to stop it while the review finishes. Start the paperwork early—pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and a hardship letter.

You’re allowed to represent yourself, but foreclosure is a lawsuit with strict rules and deadlines. A lawyer can file the right responses, challenge errors, request mediation, and use tools like Chapter 13 when needed. Proper filings and timing can be the difference between keeping the home and losing it.