foreclosure laws by state
Learn the foreclosure laws in your state to get better deals when buying foreclosures.
united states foreclosure law summary
Below is a table of the basic foreclosure laws in each state for quick reference. Click on a state or use the
dropdown box above to view the foreclosure laws for a specific state. Visit our Foreclosure Glossary for terms
and abbreviations used in foreclosure laws, rules, and regulations.
| State |
Security
Instrument |
Foreclosure
Type |
Initial Step |
Months |
Redemption |
Deficiency |
| Alabama |
Mortgage |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
1 |
12 MM |
Allowed |
| Alaska |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Default |
3 |
None |
Allowed |
| Arizona |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Sale |
3 |
None |
Allowed |
| Arkansas |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
4 |
None |
Allowed |
| California |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Default |
4 |
None |
Prohibited |
| Colorado |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Default |
2 |
75 DD |
Allowed |
| Connecticut |
Mortgage |
Strict |
Complaint |
5 |
None |
Allowed |
| Delaware |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
3 |
None |
Allowed |
| Dist. of Col. |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Default |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| Florida |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
5 |
None |
Allowed |
| Georgia |
Security Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| Hawaii |
Mortgage |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
3 |
None |
Allowed |
| Idaho |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Default |
5 |
None |
Allowed |
| Illinois |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
7 |
None |
Allowed |
| Indiana |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
5 |
3 MM |
Allowed |
| Iowa |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Petition |
5 |
6 MM |
Allowed |
| Kansas |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
4 |
6-12 MM |
Allowed |
| Kentucky |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
6 |
None |
Allowed |
| Louisiana |
Mortgage |
Exec.Process |
Petition |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| Maine |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
6 |
None |
Allowed |
| Maryland |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| Massachusetts |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
3 |
None |
Allowed |
| Michigan |
Mortgage |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
6 MM |
Allowed |
| Minnesota |
Mortgage |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
6 MM |
Prohibited |
| Mississippi |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
None |
Prohibited |
| Missouri |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| Montana |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice |
5 |
None |
Prohibited |
| Nebraska |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Petition |
5 |
None |
Allowed |
| Nevada |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Default |
4 |
None |
Allowed |
| New Hampshire |
Mortgage |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Sale |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| New Jersey |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
3 |
10 DD |
Allowed |
| New Mexico |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
4 |
None |
Allowed |
| New York |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
4 |
None |
Allowed |
| North Carolina |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice Hearing |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| North Dakota |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
3 |
60 DD |
Prohibited |
| Ohio |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
5 |
None |
Allowed |
| Oklahoma |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
4 |
None |
Allowed |
| Oregon |
N/A |
Nonjudicial |
Complaint |
3 |
3 MM |
Allowed |
| Pennsylvania |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
3 |
None |
Allowed |
| Rhode Island |
Mortgage |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| South Carolina |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
6 |
None |
Allowed |
| South Dakota |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
3 |
180 DD |
Allowed |
| Tennessee |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| Texas |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| Utah |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Default |
4 |
None |
Allowed |
| Vermont |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
7 |
None |
Allowed |
| Virginia |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
None |
Allowed |
| Washington |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Notice of Default |
4 |
None |
Allowed |
| West Virginia |
Trust Deed |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
None |
Prohibited |
| Wisconsin |
Mortgage |
Judicial |
Complaint |
Varies |
None |
Allowed |
| Wyoming |
Mortgage |
Nonjudicial |
Publication |
2 |
3 MM |
Allowed |
Note: Laws change constantly. Check with your local law library for the most up-to-date information regarding foreclosure procedures in your area.
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