Montana Foreclosure Laws
Before you act, please consult with one of our Loan Modification specialists. Complete the Loan Modification form and we will provide you with a free Loan Modification Evaluation. We may be able to help you stop foreclosure.
In Montana, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process. Judicial Foreclosure Judicial Foreclosure involves the sale of the mortgaged property under the supervision of a court. The property is subject to auction by the county sheriff or some other officer of the court. The proceeds first go to the lender to satisfy the mortgage; then other lien holders; and, finally, to the borrower if any proceeds are left. All parties must be notified of the foreclosure. A judicial decision is announced after pleadings at a hearing in a state or local court. Non-Judicial Foreclosure (Power of Sale) Also known as Foreclosure by power of sale, Non-Judicial Foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. This process involves the sale of the property by the mortgage holder without court supervision. It is generally more expedient than foreclosure by judicial sale. As in judicial sale, the mortgage holder and other lien holders are respectively first and second claimants to the proceeds from the sale. Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows: A notice of sale must be recorded in the county where the property is located and then: 1) mailed, by registered or certified mail, to the borrower at his last known address at least 120 days before the foreclosure sale; 2) published once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the property is located; and 3) posted on the property at least twenty (20) days before the foreclosure sale. The notice must contain the time, date and place of sale, the borrowers, lenders and trustees name, a description of both the property and the default, and the book and page where the deed is recorded. The trustee must conduct the sale between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm at the courthouse in the county where the property is located. The property must be sold at public auction to the highest bidder. The sale may be postponed for up to fifteen (15) days by posting a notice at the time and place where the sale was originally scheduled. Lenders may not obtain a deficiency judgment against the borrower and the borrower has no rights of redemption.
|
|||||||||||||||||||