Facing Foreclosure in Kent County? You Have Options.

If you’ve received notice that your Kent County home is facing foreclosure, you may feel overwhelmed. But you have legal options that can stop the process and save your home.

Federal law provides a powerful tool called Chapter 13 bankruptcy — a legal mechanism that can immediately stop your foreclosure and give you a structured path to keep your home.

We serve homeowners throughout Kent County, including Chestertown, Rock Hall, Millington, Galena, and Betterton. Kent County is one of Maryland’s smallest counties by population, but foreclosure impacts families here just as severely. Our Rising Sun office is just a short drive from anywhere in Kent County, giving you convenient access to experienced bankruptcy representation.

How Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Saves Your Home

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is specifically designed for individuals with regular income who want to keep their property while catching up on missed payments. Here’s what it does for you:

✅ Stops your foreclosure sale immediately — The federal automatic stay halts all foreclosure proceedings the moment your petition is filed.

✅ Gives you 3–5 years to catch up — Past-due mortgage payments are spread across a manageable repayment plan while you continue making regular monthly payments going forward.

✅ Stops creditor harassment — All collection calls, letters, lawsuits, and wage garnishments must stop.

✅ May reduce other debts — Credit card balances, medical bills, and other unsecured debts can be significantly reduced or eliminated, freeing up income for your mortgage.

✅ Your lender must accept the plan — If your Chapter 13 plan meets federal legal requirements, your mortgage company is required by law to accept it.

Maryland’s Foreclosure Process — What Kent County Homeowners Need to Know

Maryland uses a nonjudicial foreclosure process handled by a trustee appointed by the lender. Understanding the timeline is critical because it determines how much time you have to act:

🔹 Notice of Intent to Foreclose: Your lender must send you a written notice at least 45 days before beginning foreclosure proceedings. For owner-occupied homes, this notice must include a loss mitigation application.

🔹 Order to Docket: The foreclosure cannot be filed in the Kent County Circuit Court until at least 90 days after default (120 days for federally covered loans) or 45 days after the Notice of Intent — whichever is later.

🔹 Mediation opportunity: Maryland law gives you 25 days to request foreclosure mediation after the Order to Docket is filed. Mediation must be scheduled within 60 days of your request.

🔹 Notice of sale: The trustee must publish a notice of sale in a local newspaper once a week for three weeks, and must mail you a notice between 10 and 30 days before the sale.

🔹 Trustee sale: The property is sold at the Kent County Circuit Court. After sale, the court clerk issues notice that the sale will be ratified, and you have 30 days to file exceptions.

Key point: Kent County Circuit Court is located at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620.

If your property is approaching trustee sale in Kent County, time is of the essence. In many cases, we can file a Chapter 13 petition within days to stop the sale.

Frequently Asked Questions — Kent County Foreclosure

How does foreclosure mediation work in Kent County?

After the lender files an Order to Docket in the Kent County Circuit Court, you have 25 days to request foreclosure mediation. The mediation session must be scheduled within 60 days of your request, and all required financial documents must be submitted at least 20 days before the mediation date. Mediation gives you an opportunity to negotiate directly with your lender for a loan modification or other alternative. If mediation fails, Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains available as a backup to stop the sale.

I live in Rock Hall. Can you help with my foreclosure?

Absolutely. We represent homeowners throughout Kent County, including Rock Hall, Chestertown, and all surrounding communities. Our Rising Sun office is conveniently located for Kent County residents, and we offer phone and video consultations for your convenience.

What is Maryland’s right of redemption after a foreclosure sale?

Unlike some states, Maryland does not provide a statutory right of redemption after the foreclosure sale has been ratified by the court. This is why acting before the sale — through Chapter 13 bankruptcy or other intervention — is absolutely critical. Once the sale is ratified, your options become extremely limited.

Can Chapter 13 help with a Maryland tax sale foreclosure?

Yes. Maryland counties conduct annual tax sales for properties with delinquent property taxes. If a tax sale certificate has been issued on your Kent County property, Chapter 13 can stop the tax sale holder from obtaining a final foreclosure decree and allow you to pay back the delinquent taxes through your repayment plan.

Related Resources

• Maryland Office
• Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13: Which Is Right for You?
• Complete Guide to Filing Bankruptcy
• Bankruptcy FAQ
• Foreclosure Help in Cecil County
• Foreclosure Help in Queen Anne’s County

This communication is from a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.