Foreclosure Timeline

This timeline can play out in less than 180 days, so don't wait. Act immediately, and contact your lender.

• First 30-90 Days
  • The owner is behind on mortgage payments.
• 30 Days Later
  • Legal proceedings begin when the mortgage company files a complaint.
• 28 Days
  • The owner has 28 days from receipt of a complaint to respond or file an answer.

• Within 5-30 Days
  • The mortgage company attorney files a motion for default judgment if no answer is made.
  • The court can render a default judgment decision.
  • The mortgage company attorney files a motion for a judgment decree in the foreclosure.
  • The court can render a judgment decree in the foreclosure decision.
  • The mortgage company attorney files a legal form known as a praecipe with the Franklin County Clerk of Courts ordering the sale of the property.
• Within 3 Days
  • The Clerk of Courts Office delivers the praecipe to the Franklin County Sheriff.
• During the Next 3 Months
  • An appraisal is ordered and completed.
  • The sale date is set.
  • The sale is advertised in The Columbus Dispatch once a week for 3 weeks pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 2329.26.
• Day of Sale
  • The Sheriff's Office will auction the property to the highest bidder.
• Within 30 to 60 Days of Sale
  • Confirmation of Sale (orders Sheriff's deed and gives the new owner the right to file for a writ of possession).
  • 14 days after the Confirmation of Sale, the Sheriff's deed is issued.
  • The new owner files for a writ of possession.
  • The Sheriff's Office will give the former owner 10-14 days to move out of the home. This can be extended up to 30 days for hardship.