Foreclosure Timeline in Cook County, Illinois

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How long does a foreclosure case take?

PRE foreclosure

1-4 missed mortgage payments

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START OF foreclosure

Once you fall behind on your mortgage payments, the bank will file a foreclosure lawsuit in court.

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You'll know when this happens because you'll be served with a copy of the lawsuit (the Complaint) and Summons (a document that tells you when and where to come to court).  You will also start to receive a lot of mail and solicitations related to your foreclosure -- watch out for the scams! Be wary of anyone that guarantees to save your home or asks for a large up front fee.

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YOUR RESPONSE TO FORECLOSURE

1 month

You will have 30 days from the time you receive the Summons to file your response (Appearance and Answer) to the foreclosure lawsuit.

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judgment motions

 1-3 months

The bank will file Judgment Motions asking the judge to make a ruling in its favor. You will receive a notice of the court date on the bank's Judgment Motions. If you do nothing, the judge will rule in the bank's favor. You will still have a 90 day redemption period to either sell the property or work out a modification with the bank.

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court order directing sale of property

3-4 months

Once the 90 day redemption period expires, the judge will allow the bank to sell the property at an auction.

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foreclosure sale/auction

5-9 months

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foreclosure case finished

8-10 months

The judge has to approve the foreclosure sale/auction of the property and enter an order of eviction. The foreclosure case is now complete.

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post-foreclosure eviction

9-12 months

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*approximate timeline based on typical foreclosure case without a defense strategy

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The foreclosure process can take more or less time, depending on the facts of your case and defense strategy. Call us now and speak with a foreclosure expert on how you can make the foreclosure timeline work for you -- not against you. (312) 600-8815