I got foreclosure papers. What do I do now?

The short answer

Read the papers for two deadlines: the date to answer the case and the date to ask for a settlement conference. Then call a free housing counselor or an attorney. You have more time and more options than it feels like.

What the papers are

A foreclosure in Indiana is a lawsuit. The papers are a summons and a complaint from the lender's attorney, and the case number at the top has MF in the middle. You can see the whole case on MyCase: every filing, the lender's attorney and the judge.

Being served doesn't mean you've lost the house, and it doesn't mean you have to move. You can stay until a sale happens, and you can still catch up, work something out or sell.

The deadlines

Answering the case. The summons says how long you have, usually 20 days. If nobody answers, the court usually enters a default judgment.
Settlement conference. If you live in the house, Indiana law lets you ask for a meeting with the lender. The notice in your papers explains how and by when.

Who to call

A free housing counselor first: Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network, 1-877-GET-HOPE (1-877-438-4673). They can talk to your lender with you.
An attorney if you want to fight the case or you're not sure. Our resources page has local lawyer referral services and free legal aid.
Your loan servicer, the company you send payments to, about catching up or a modification.

The court clerk can tell you what's been filed but can't give legal advice. The lender's attorney works for the lender, not for you. Many people get bounced between those two. A counselor or your own attorney is who's on your side.

Why strangers started calling

Foreclosure cases are public records, so investors, lenders and attorneys all see them. Some of the calls are useful and some aren't. Our page on who's calling you explains how to tell.