Foreclosure Timeline

In general, this is the time line for a foreclosure in Wisconsin. This is for a personal residence, there are exceptions - talk to an attorney for specifics about your situation:

You are behind at least 2 months. The mortgage lender hires an attorney and they send you a letter (usually) demanding payment or else...

Usually, about 40 days later, they file a foreclosure lawsuit in the county the property is in. They will 'hire' the Sheriff to serve you with copies of the papers. On average, this takes about 10-20 days.

A knock on the door...and now you know...
- Day One: Once you are served, a clock starts ticking. You have 20 days to give an answer to the Court. Over the next couple of weeks, you will get a lot of mail from mortgage companies, real estate brokers and 'investors' and of course, letters from attorneys like us.
- Day 20: If you did not provide an answer to the court (and here are your three options: we paid, here is the proof; we can pay now, here is a check; we didn't owe, here is why. Anything else (for the most part), the judge will enter a judgement against you. (There is a lot of paperwork the attorney must do and this may take some time - days at least).
- Day 30: Judgment of Foreclosure has been entered against you. With few exceptions, a new clock starts, 6 months. This is called the redemption period. You can keep your home if you pay the past due plus interest at any time during the 6 months.
- Day 210: Some time in the last couple of weeks, the attorney asks for a date for a Sheriff's Sale. It will be scheduled in 4-8 weeks.
- Day 250 (approximately): A Sheriff's Sale is held and a confirmation of sale date is scheduled. You will get a notice shortly after the confirmation to vacate...usually with little or no time (5 days is nice, 10 they are being really nice).

A foreclosure (in the Western District of Wisconsin) can be stopped up to the Sheriff's Sale....(in extreme circumstances up to the confirmation). But the sooner you act, the better.

Back