Maryland Bankruptcy Law

In April 2008, the Maryland General Assembly enacted emergency legislation in an effort to stave off the masses of foreclosure filings in the state. As part of the emergency legislation, the law was changed to require personal service of all foreclosure papers and affords homeowners 90 days notice of the foreclosure. Prior law allowed for service by certified mail and allowed only 45 days notice to homeowners. In September 2008, it is predicted that there will be a significant increase in foreclosure filings in the state. This is due mainly to the expiration of the 90 day moratorium created by the emergency legislation. The matter is of such urgency that the Court of Appeals, Maryland’s supreme court, and other state agencies and are requesting that attorneys volunteer their services in an effort to deal with the predicted foreclosure crisis in Maryland. The bankruptcy court system is preparing for massive numbers of Chapter 13 filings in an effort to stop impending foreclosures.