Foreclosure and Homeowner Law by State
Foreclosure is governed by state law. Some states require a court case; others let lenders sell a home after notice. Notice rules, time frames and rights after the sale all differ. Here is each state's rule, linked to its official source.
Choose your state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Compare the states
- Judicial and Non-Judicial Foreclosure States
- Right of Redemption After Foreclosure, by State
- Deficiency Judgments After Foreclosure, by State
- Seller Disclosure Laws by State
Tools, guides and templates
- Debt collection and homestead exemptions
- Tenants' rights when a landlord is in foreclosure
- Wills and estates
Plain-English guides
- Buying a Foreclosed Home: What to Know
- What Is a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure?
- How Long Does a Foreclosure Stay on Your Credit Report?
- The Foreclosure Process Step by Step
- Foreclosure Surplus Funds: Who Gets the Money Left Over?
- How to Stop or Avoid Foreclosure
- What Is Foreclosure? (Including Pre-Foreclosure and REO)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between judicial and non-judicial foreclosure?
In a judicial foreclosure, the lender files a lawsuit and a court orders the sale. In a non-judicial foreclosure, the lender uses a power-of-sale clause in the mortgage or deed of trust and sells the home after giving the notices state law requires, without a lawsuit.
What is a right of redemption?
In some states, a homeowner can buy back the home for a period after the foreclosure sale by paying the amount required by law. Many states have no redemption period after a non-judicial sale.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.