Timeline:
90 Days
Redemption:
Yes, if court does not confirm sale
Deficiency
Judgments: Yes, if not waived
Judicial
Foreclosure: Yes
Non-Judicial
Foreclosure: Yes
Security
Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage
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Wisconsin
foreclosure law allows the lender to pursue foreclosure by either
a Judicial or Non-Judicial process. If the original loan documents
do not contain a “power of sale” clause, then the lender must
use the Judicial Foreclosure procedures. The lender must sue
the borrower in court to obtain an order to foreclose.
If the
lender waives their right to sue the borrower for a deficiency
judgment, the sale may be held in two months if the property
is abandoned, or in six months otherwise. If the lender does
not waive the right to a deficiency judgment, then the sale
will be held in one year from the date of the order to foreclose.
The sale may be held sooner if the borrower and lender consent
to a closer sale date. |
If a
“power of sale” clause is present in the original loan documents,
the lender may foreclose using Non-Judicial Foreclosure procedures.
If the clause states the time, place, and terms of the sale,
then those details must be followed.
The
notice of sale must be recorded in the county in which the property
is located and must be served upon the borrower. If the borrower
can not be located, notice of the sale must be posted on the
property and served to any occupants of the property. Publication
of the notice must be done for six (6) consecutive weeks in
a newspaper that is generally circulated in the county.
The
sale is conducted as a public auction at the time and place
listed in the notice of sale. The sale is permitted to be postponed.
The high bidder receives a certificate of sale.
Borrowers
in Wisconsin are entitled to a twelve (12) month redemption
period if the court does not confirm the sale. However, lenders
usually apply for confirmation of the sale.
The
lender may only sue the borrower for a deficiency judgment if
the intention to sue is specified in the lender's application
for confirmation of the sale. Otherwise, the lender may not
sue the borrower for a deficiency judgment.