What is a Consent Order?

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A Consent Order is an agreement between you (usually written up by your bankruptcy lawyer) and the mortgage company or homeowner’s association to allow you to get caught on any Chapter 13 bankruptcy payments so you can keep your house. There are a few situations to be aware of when it comes to getting together a consent order.

Charlotte Office Clients:
If you filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy before July 1, 2009, your Chapter 13 payment does not include your monthly mortgage payment(s) on your house. You must make your mortgage payments directly to your mortgage company. If you have homeowner association dues (HOA), you must also make your payments directly to your homeowners association.

If you filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy on or after July 1, 2009, your mortgage payment is included in your Chapter 13 payment to the Trustee.

Greensboro Office Clients:
Your Chapter 13 payment may or may not include your mortgage payment. If you were behind on your mortgage payments when you filed the bankruptcy, then your Chapter 13 payment will include your mortgage payment. If you were not behind on your mortgage payments when you filed the bankruptcy, then you had the option of paying the mortgage payment yourself or including the mortgage payment in the bankruptcy. If you are unsure, check with your attorney. If you have homeowner association dues (HOA), you must make your payments directly to your homeowners association.

Charlotte and Greensboro Office Clients:
If you fall behind on your mortgage or HOA payments, the mortgage company or HOA will file a Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay asking the court for permission to foreclose on your property. If your mortgage company or HOA files a Motion for Relief from Stay it is very important you contact your attorney immediately. In many cases your attorney can work out a Consent Order with the mortgage company or HOA’s attorney that would allow you to catch up on the payments you are behind. Your attorney cannot work out a Consent Order with the mortgage company or HOA’s attorney without your assistance and agreement on the terms. The Consent Order may give you one last chance at keeping your property. Failure to comply with the terms in the Consent Order will result in the mortgage company/ HOA getting relief from the automatic stay and being able to proceed with foreclosure.

Contact us today for more information on what happens if you get behind on your mortgage payments while in bankruptcy.