The paperwork, decoded
A New Jersey foreclosure arrives as a series of documents, in a predictable order. Find the one in your hand to see exactly where you are, how much time you have, and what to do this week.
Before any lawsuit
Notice of Intention to Foreclose (NOI)
The lender must wait at least 30 days after this notice before filing a foreclosure complaint. In practice many wait longer, but treat 30 days as your window.
The lawsuit begins
Summons and Foreclosure Complaint
You have 35 days from service to file an answer with the court. New Jersey foreclosures take many months after filing even when uncontested; a contested case takes longer.
The case moves without you
Request for Entry of Default / Entry of Default
There is no fixed countdown printed on this document, but the case is now on the uncontested track, and the lender’s next stop is applying for final judgment. Under the Fair Foreclosure Act you still receive a notice before final judgment is sought, with one more chance to cure.
The court has ruled
Final Judgment of Foreclosure
No sale can happen until the sheriff schedules and advertises it, which typically takes a number of weeks after judgment. From this point on, curing generally means paying the full judgment amount rather than just the arrears.
An auction has a date
Notice of Sheriff Sale
The date printed on it, minus today. New Jersey homeowners are generally entitled to request two adjournments of up to 30 days each through the sheriff’s office, and a court can order more, so the printed date is frequently not the real one.
After the sale
Writ of Possession / Notice to Vacate
The vacate date on the notice, generally a matter of weeks. Courts can grant short extensions for hardship, and the buyer sometimes negotiates timing directly.
Not sure which stage you are at, or missing some of the paperwork? The timeline tool places you in the process from a few questions.
Educational information, not legal advice. Deadlines here reflect New Jersey law generally; what applies to your case is a question for a licensed New Jersey attorney.
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