2019 Foreclosure Legal Updates

New York Passes Foreclosure Protection Law

December 23, 2019. New York recently passed a law that allows people facing a foreclosure lawsuit to raise a defense called “standing” at any time during the suit.

Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Break Extended Through 2020

December 20, 2019. A new law—the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020—includes tax relief for situations when a lender forgives mortgage debt.

New York Is Trying to Kill Zombie Homes

December 19, 2019. New York recently passed a zombie property remediation law.

5th Circuit Says the SCRA Protection Against Default Judgments Doesn’t Apply In Most Louisiana Foreclosures

December 19, 2019. Military servicemembers lost their SCRA fight in a recent Louisiana court case.

Maine Passes Law to Ensure Homeowners Receive Proper Notification of Foreclosure

September 19, 2019. Maine amended its preforeclosure notice requirements.

Changes to Wyoming’s Redemption Period Law

July 1, 2019. Learn about Wyoming’s amended redemption period law.

Connecticut Extends Foreclosure Mediation Program for Four Years

July 1, 2019. Connecticut recently amended its foreclosure mediation law to extend the program until 2023.

11th Circuit Says Motion to Reschedule Foreclosure Sale Doesn’t Violate RESPA

June 11, 2019. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has determined that filing a motion to reschedule a previously set foreclosure sale doesn’t violate federal mortgage servicing laws.

State Laws Crack Down on Reverse Mortgage Advertising

May 21, 2019. Some states, including New York, are passing new restrictions on what can—and can’t—go in reverse mortgage advertisements.

California Supreme Court Decision Changes State’s Deficiency Judgment Law

May 6, 2019. If the same bank or mortgage company has both a senior and junior lien on your home, California law used to prohibit a deficiency judgment on the second. But a recent California Supreme Court decision expands lienholder deficiency rights.

New Jersey Passes New Foreclosure Laws

April 29, 2019. New Jersey passed sweeping new foreclosure laws meant to help homeowners who're facing foreclosure.

Supreme Court Says Foreclosure Firms Aren’t Debt Collectors Under the FDCPA

March 20, 2019. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided that businesses that conduct nonjudicial foreclosures don’t qualify as debt collectors under federal law.

Foreclosure Relief for Tornado Victims in Alabama

March 5, 2019. If you’re a victim of a tornado in Alabama and you have an FHA mortgage, you likely qualify for foreclosure relief.

Fannie Mae Wins Lawsuit Over Foreclosure Misreporting

February 26, 2019. A federal judge ruled in favor of Fannie Mae in a lawsuit that accused it of falsely reporting that thousands of consumers' homes had been foreclosed.

Will Judicial Foreclosures Become the Norm in New Hampshire?

February 14, 2019. If HB 270 is passed in New Hampshire, all future foreclosures will go through the court system.

New Foreclosure Defense in Massachusetts

February 8, 2019. In a recent case, a court declared a Massachusetts foreclosure invalid because the lender sent a potentially deceptive breach letter.

Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect Federal Employees from Foreclosure, Eviction, and Other Defaults During a Shutdown

January 9, 2019. The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act would safeguard federal workers from foreclosures, evictions, and more when the government shuts down.

Supreme Court to Consider Whether FDCPA Applies to Nonjudicial Foreclosures

January 7, 2019. In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether federal debt collection laws apply to nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Introduce Refinance Programs for Underwater Properties

January 1, 2019. If you’re making timely mortgage payments, but have been unable to refinance because your property is underwater, you might qualify for a special refinancing program.