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Foreclosure Survival Guide

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Foreclosure Survival Guide (1st Edition)


Rhode Island
Topic State Rule
Common type of foreclosure process Nonjudicial: under power of sale in deed of trust
Time to respond Foreclosing party must publish notice of sale for three consecutive weeks before sale; first publication must be at least 21 days before sale. Foreclosing party must serve notice of sale on homeowner by mail at least 30 days before first publication.
Reinstatement of loan before sale No
Redemption after sale To redeem, former owner must file lawsuit. Allowed up to three years after sale.
Special protections for foreclosures involving high-cost mortgages Homeowner can ask court to stop (enjoin) the foreclosure if loan is high-cost or predatory lending practices were used. Rhode Island Home Loan Protection Act, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 35-25.2-1 to 35-25.2-11
Special state protections for service members R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-7-10
Deficiency judgments Allowed if foreclosing party files separate lawsuit after sale.
Cash exempted in bankruptcy About $11,000 for one person, $22,000 for a married couple under federal bankruptcy exemptions
Notice to leave after house is sold Former owner must get a 20-day notice to quit (leave). After that new owner may go to court for a summary eviction procedure that takes two weeks to a month.
Foreclosure statutes R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-27-1 to 34-27-5