We often receive questions from our readers about the Foreclosure Process in Illinois.
Below are 5 common questions about foreclosure in Illinois.
Remember, if you have a question you can leave it in the comments below, or contact our law firm at 877-882-5338 us for a more private matter.
1.) How Does the new Illinois Foreclosure Law Affect Me?
From a reader in Bloomington, Illinois
The new foreclosure law in Illinois affects you because it protects you from a wrongful foreclosure.
On June 1, 2013, new foreclosure laws went into effect in Illinois. They were designed to help protect the thousands upon thousands of homeowners who are still at risk for foreclosure by making it harder for banks to foreclose on homes. In short, a lender cannot complete foreclosure on a house without first showing solid proof that they've done everything possible to help the homeowner get out of foreclosure.
This law was created because in the past, banks would often foreclose on homes while homeowners were attempting to get out of foreclosure. The new rules force a bank's various divisions to communicate with each other, which wasn't always the case in the past. In fact, new lawsuits have alleged that large banks such as bank of America caused miscommunication between their various divisions on purpose, to force more people into foreclosure.
2.) How Long Does The Foreclosure Process Take in Illinois?
From a reader in Oak Lawn, Illinois
The average foreclosure timeline in Illinois is about 1 year, and the new foreclosure rules have done nothing to directly extend or truncate that timeline. However, it remains to be seen whether or not the new foreclosure rules will affect the foreclosure process in Illinois. Generally, homeowners protected by a foreclosure defense lawyer will have more time to resolve their situation.
3.) What is the Illinois Foreclosure Timeline?
From a reader in Rockford, Illinois
In Illinois, 60 days after you stop paying your mortgage payment, your lender will begin calling you and sending you letters. In 30 more days, your lender will begin to foreclose on your home. Within two months after that, your lender's attorney will prepare a complaint. If you don't know what comes next, then you should stop now and download the Illinois Foreclosure timeline.
The Illinois Foreclosure Timeline is a sequential group of events that take place before, during, and after foreclosure. In every foreclosure in Illinois, foreclosure-related events happen in exactly the same sequence every time. What differs is how long it takes for every event to happen. From missing an initial payment to eviction, the foreclosure process can be completed in as little as a year when there is no legal assistance available. A foreclosure defense attorney or law firm can drastically extend or even stop the foreclosure timeline completely.
4.) Do you know How to Stop Foreclosure in Illinois?
From a reader in Chicago, Illinois
Yes! There are many great Illinois foreclosure attorneys and our firm has helped many homeowners in Illinois stop foreclosure and save their homes.
The easiest way to stop foreclosure is by hiring a foreclosure defense attorney or law firm. While there are many means of foreclosure defense in Illinois, foreclosure defense's ultimate goal is of two things: to prolong the foreclosure process and help you stay in your home as long as you can, or to help you stop foreclosure and keep your home. A quality foreclosure defense attorney will meet with you and assess your situation to find out which method of foreclosure defense you prefer, and will then suggest an appropriate course of action to help you fulfill your wishes. Foreclosure defense is not a one-size-fits-all process, and shouldn't be confronted that way, either.
5.) Can I Obtain a Loan Modification without an Attorney?
From a reader in Evansville, Illinois
Yes, Many homeowners hire a foreclosure defense law firm to defend them in a court of law, then attempt to work with their bank themselves to get a loan modification. Some homeowners have obtained a loan modification on their own. Unfortunately, it is nearly a full-time endeavor to successfully navigate the frustrating loan modification process, and many homeowners have neither the financial experience nor the time it takes to successfully obtain a loan modification.
A small handful of foreclosure defense law firms offer loan modification as an ancillary service. We highly recommend that troubled homeowners search for a law firm that has a full staff of qualified foreclosure attorneys and paralegals.
