Introduction

Receiving a foreclosure notice is one of the most stressful moments a homeowner can face. In Ohio, once foreclosure proceedings begin, the clock starts ticking toward the loss of your home. But there is a powerful legal tool that can stop the process immediately — bankruptcy. Whether through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, bankruptcy can give you the breathing room you need to protect your property and regain control of your finances.

How Bankruptcy Stops Foreclosure: The Automatic Stay

When you file for bankruptcy, the court issues an automatic stay — a legal order that halts most collection activities, including foreclosure.

What the automatic stay does:

• Stops the foreclosure sale immediately

• Halts all creditor calls, letters, and lawsuits

• Prevents wage garnishments related to mortgage debt

Limitations:

• The stay is temporary unless you use the bankruptcy process to address the underlying debt

• Mortgage lenders can request the court to lift the stay if you fall behind again

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 for Stopping Foreclosure in Ohio

How Chapter 13 Can Save Your Home

Chapter 13 allows you to set up a 3–5 year repayment plan to catch up on missed mortgage payments while keeping your home.

Steps:

1. File for Chapter 13 to trigger the automatic stay

2. Propose a repayment plan that includes past-due mortgage payments

3. Continue making regular mortgage payments plus your plan payments

4. At the end of the plan, your mortgage is current, and foreclosure is dismissed

Ohio Foreclosure Timeline — Why Acting Fast Matters

Ohio is a judicial foreclosure state, meaning lenders must go through the court system. Once the foreclosure sale is scheduled, you have until the sale date to stop it through bankruptcy. Waiting too long can limit your options.

FAQs: Stopping Foreclosure with Bankruptcy in Ohio

Q: Can bankruptcy stop foreclosure the day before the sale?
Yes — as long as your bankruptcy petition is filed before the sale, the automatic stay will stop it.

Q: Will Chapter 7 let me keep my home?
Not long-term unless you can get current on your mortgage quickly.

Q: What if I’ve filed bankruptcy before?
Your eligibility for the automatic stay may be limited if you’ve had multiple filings in recent years.

Q: Does bankruptcy affect my credit?
Yes, but losing your home to foreclosure can be even more damaging long-term.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Bankruptcy can be the lifeline you need to stop foreclosure in Ohio — but timing is everything. Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers the strongest path to keeping your home by allowing you to catch up on missed payments while preventing lenders from taking further action.

If you’ve received a foreclosure notice, don’t wait. Contact Christopher Gallutia, Attorney at Law for immediate guidance and a free consultation. With over 36 years of bankruptcy experience in Ohio, he can help you protect your home and your future.

📞 Call (614) 575-1145 or Schedule a Consultation today.