A judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County oversees the foreclosure process, which typically involves the lender filing a lawsuit against the homeowner for defaulting on the mortgage. If the Court finds in favor of the lender, it can result in the forced sale of the property to repay the outstanding mortgage debt.
To contest a judicial foreclosure, you have to file a written answer to the complaint (the lawsuit). You'll need to present your defenses and explain the reasons why the lender shouldn't be able to foreclose. You might need to defend yourself against a motion for summary judgment and at trial.
Foreclosure proceedings begin with a complaint filed by the lender. The borrower is served a copy of the complaint and a summons, along with a notice of his or her rights during foreclosure. In most cases, the borrower has 30 days to file a response. Failure to respond will result in a default judgment for the lender.
In the complaint, the plaintiff asks the court for a judgment and for permission to sell the home at a foreclosure sale.
The Stages of Foreclosure Stage 1: Default of Payment. Stage 2: Notice of Default. Stage 3: Notice of Sale. Stage 4: Foreclosure Sale. Stage 5: Eviction.