Quick Facts
– Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
– Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: No
– Primary Security Instruments: Mortgage
– Timeline: Typically 90 days
– Right of Redemption: No
– Deficiency Judgments Allowed: No
In Delaware, lenders may foreclose on a mortgage in default by using the judicial foreclosure process.
Judicial Foreclosure
Lenders in Delaware are given several options to pursue judicial foreclosure, but the most commonly used procedure is the Scire Facias.
This proceeding is quite different from other judicial foreclosures. Instead of the lender having to prove the borrower is in default of the mortgage, the borrower must prove he isn’t. Although the suit to obtain an order for foreclosure is filed by the lender, the borrower must appear in court within twenty (20) days of being served a writ to explain why the foreclosure should not occur. Unless the court is satisfied with the borrower’s explanation and evidence, they will authorize a foreclosure sale.
Sale Must Be Done By Sheriff
Said sale must be conducted by the sheriff and held either at the courthouse or at the property itself at least fourteen (14) days after the notice of sale is posted on the property and in other public places throughout the county in which it is located.
The borrower has no right to redemption once the court has confirmed the sale.
