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When someone dies in Tennessee and their estate is still outstanding, the mortgage lender may consider foreclosure. It’s possible for a lender to foreclose inherited property if the payments are behind or not made.
The process can be complicated during probate, and if you’re the beneficiary you might want to pay off the debt. Finding a way out of foreclosure when a property is in probate can be an important step for anyone facing this difficult situation.
How Is Mortgaged Property Inherited After the Owner Dies?
When someone passes away, a piece of property can go into foreclosure if the payments are not made in a timely manner in conjunction with the mortgage agreement.
Usually, probate court is the court of record for the executor or administrator of a deceased person’s property. They go into court to work on behalf of the deceased person’s property, including property with a mortgage. Mortgage payments are still due on their regular schedule, even if the value of the property is less than what is owed on the mortgage and even if the deed is being held in probate. The estate is responsible for continuing to pay the mortgage.
What Happens if You Inherit a Property in Foreclosure?
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There are no laws preventing mortgage holders from filing a foreclosure proceeding against the decedent’s mortgage property. It’s important to be aware that a piece of property is not immune to any of the normal processes associated with a foreclosure.
When you inherit a property in foreclosure, the mortgage debt is typically the responsibility of the deceased’s estate. If the mortgage debt is not paid in full, a court may initiate mortgage foreclosure proceedings to sell the property and recover the debt owed.
Mortgage foreclosure differs from probate proceedings in that foreclosure is a legal proceeding in which a court halts payments to secure a mortgage loan and sells the property to recover the debt. Probate proceedings are used when a person dies without leaving a will and court-appointed executor takes charge of the deceased’s estate.
What to do if an inherited home is in foreclosure
First of all, to protect yourself from mortgage foreclosure if you inherited assets, it is essential that you monitor mortgage payments regularly and take steps to protect assets against possible litigation claims. Prevention is much better than dealing with foreclosure.
If you have a piece of property in Memphis, you should understand what you’re facing and the laws governing foreclosure in Tennessee. Defaults on mortgage loans secured by real estate property are governed by the Real Estate Mortgage Foreclosure Law of 1974 and the Promissory Note Foreclosure Law of 1977. The law empowers a court-appointed trustee to foreclose on defaulted real estate mortgage loans and the court has jurisdiction over such proceedings. All foreclosures must be fair, reasonable, and in accordance with law.
The first thing to do is to find out if the lender has the right to foreclose on a property in probate. If the property is inherited by a probate estate, the probate estate is the legal owner of the property until it is distributed or sold by probate court order. To foreclose on a probate property, the executor or administrator of the probate estate must petition the court for an order of foreclosure.
Consider filing a motion with the court to stop or delay the foreclosure process. A party can file a motion requesting that the court stay or discontinue any act of foreclosure on a probate estate property in Memphis, such as termination of mortgage payments or eviction of a mortgagee’s lien holder from possession of real estate mortgage loan assets (commonly referred to as “stopping” foreclosure).
1. Contact the mortgage holder
If an inherited home is in foreclosure, it’s important to contact the mortgage holder to find out if they are willing to modify the loan. In some cases, the mortgage holder may be willing to do so at a reduced rate or with a longer payment schedule. If this is the case, reaching a modification agreement may save you money in the long term.
If the mortgage lender is unwilling to modify the loan, there are other options available such as refinancing or selling the property. Ultimately, you must weigh your options carefully and decide what action is best for you and your family. If a foreclosure does occur, be aware that you may still have an opportunity to fight the foreclosure proceeding in court.
2. Use liquid assets to pay the balance
If an inherited home is in foreclosure, the executor of the estate will have to do whatever it takes to pay off the balance of the loan and avoid foreclosure.
Liquid assets such as a personal bank account or a mortgage payment should cover the outstanding debt. However, if there are insufficient liquid assets to cover the debt, the executor can negotiate with the lender for a loan modification or a short sale. It is important to work with an experienced attorney who understands probate law in Tennessee to ensure your rights are protected and interests are represented.
3. Request an injunction to give you time to sell
If an inherited home is in foreclosure, the executor of the estate can request an injunction to stop the foreclosure process. If granted, this would give you time to sell the property and pay off any debts or liabilities associated with it. In Tennessee, a court order must be obtained in order for an injunction to be granted. This means you may need to prove that selling the property will result in enough money to pay off any debts. Additionally, it’s important to keep up with payments in the meantime, as failing to do so could result in penalties or other legal issues.
4. Sell estate property/assets or borrow funds
If the estate of a deceased person is in default on the mortgage of the property, the executor of the estate may be required to sell property or borrow money to pay off the mortgage. In some cases, this may require probate court approval. It may also involve taking out a probate loan, which is a short-term loan taken out against the value of an estate’s assets.
In order to take out a probate loan, the executor must be aware of potential fees and expenses related to the process. Before taking out a probate loan, it’s important for executors to consider whether this will be beneficial in the long run. They may also want to work with the lender to negotiate a payment plan or other solution that works best for both parties.
5. Talk to a probate lawyer
If an inherited property is in foreclosure in Memphis, it can be challenging to navigate the legal process. You may have to make careful decisions about the property’s future, such as selling or renting it out.
A probate lawyer can provide guidance and advice regarding the best course of action. They may also be able to explain your rights as an heir or executor, as well as the options available to stop a foreclosure. Creating an estate plan to deal with real property, whether it be outstanding mortgage funds or a refinance exploration, it’s worth talking to a law firm that specializes in probate and foreclosure in Memphis.
Can a lender foreclose on a property in probate in Memphis?
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The executor of an estate has the legal authority to sell, mortgage, or encumber assets of the estate as they are necessary to carry out the court-approved plan of administration.
While probate proceedings can be lengthy and complex, there are a few laws that govern how a lender can foreclose during this process.
When foreclosure is made during probate court proceedings and the deceased person has outstanding debts such as mortgage payments or taxes, those debts will become part of the executor’s probate estate and incur interest payments and other costs. Therefore, it is important for executors to ensure that no outstanding debts are left when they close probate court proceedings.
Your obligations in the probate process
If the property is in probate, the lender is subject to the court’s supervision and control. Heirs are obligated to follow all of the rules of the Memphis probate court. The most important thing for you to do is to make sure you’re keeping up with official notices and moving forward with the court’s instructions.
Understand the timelines for foreclosure proceedings during probate in Tennessee. Under the state law, lenders must file a notice of mortgage foreclosure against a property within 30 days of initiating mortgage foreclosure proceedings against it. The time frame begins from the date of mortgage foreclosure decree by the court or when a mortgagee files a Notice of Intent to Satisfy Judgment with the court, whichever is earlier.
Once a lender files a request for mortgage foreclosure against a property under court orders, it cannot withdraw that request unless it acquires title to the property or right to income from that property by law.
Preventing foreclosure on probate property in Tennessee
In the probate court of Tennessee, a lender has the right to foreclose on a property if the mortgage holder is unable to make payments. Also, the borrower can be ordered to pay the mortgage debt or other claims of the lender. The process of foreclosure involves the lender taking possession of the property.
A probate court does not have jurisdiction over real estate transactions involving probate assets. Thus, lenders cannot foreclose on probate assets in this court. However, legal remedies may exist for individuals who are forced into foreclosure due to non-payment of probate debts or other claims by the family member’s estate. If you have an inherited property in Memphis that’s facing foreclosure, you should speak to a probate attorney as soon as possible.
You may be able to prevent foreclosure by selling the property or using other assets to pay the mortgage debt. However, if you fail to respond to foreclosure notices or court orders, a court can authorize the property owner or the mortgage lender to sell the property at public auction in Memphis. If any beneficiaries are living in the property, they must move out once an order for sale has been issued. There may be other options available to beneficiaries of properties that are in probate. Talk to a probate lawyer for specific advice on your situation.
