All too many times we have seen people struggle unnecessarily because of a lack of understanding about the foreclosure process here in Maine. We have seen homeowners move out of their homes after receiving the initial Complaint for Foreclosure only to struggle to pay rent in a nearby apartment. We have seen real estate agents fail to market the property aggressively enough for a short sale and lose the property to foreclosure auction. MH Solutions hopes that this foreclosure time frame for civil action foreclosure in the State of Maine can act as a reference for people making important decisions about their property.
Typically the foreclosure process starts when a borrower is 90 days late on payments. Note, that most mortgages allow the lender to start a foreclosure after 30 days of non-payment.
This is an optimistic foreclosure time line for the lender and the days are only estimates. Timeframes do vary and there are ways to prolong the foreclosure process.
| Maine foreclosure timeline | |
| Day 1 | The lender starts a foreclosure for non-payment |
| Day 14 | The lender’s attorney completes title work and complaint |
| Day 21 | The borrower is served the notice of the foreclosure |
| Day 41 | The borrower’s reply to the summons is due |
| Day 72 | The lender can file motion for summary judgment |
| Day 93 | The borrower’s reply to the motion is due |
| Day 128 | Summary judgment enters |
| Day 218 | Redemption period ends |
| Day 239 | Advertising in a paper of general distribution for an auction completed |
| Day 259 | Auction held |
Disclosure: We are not attorneys and the information contained here is our opinion only. We recommend you consult with an attorney for definitive answers about foreclosure.
See also New Hampshire foreclosure timeline.