Maine is a judicial foreclosure jurisdiction. As such, our statewide title network allows Doonan, Graves, & Longoria, LLC to efficiently proceed through the foreclosure process.

We begin processing the foreclosure the same day the referral is received. Referrals may be submitted via e-mail to hg@ddgandl.com, and Next Day Air, U.S. Mail, or facsimile transmission
(978) 921-4870 to our Beverly offices. We promptly order the foreclosure certificate/title report and, if necessary, send a default letter to the debtor.

Our dedication to quality and responsiveness extends to our association with proficient title examiners and our investment in a state-of-the-art tracking system which allows our clients to access the status of their files twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.

All complaints for foreclosure must name any party with a junior lien interest as of the date of the filing of the Foreclosure Complaint. In addition to the Complaint, we also file with the Court, and record at the Registry of Deeds, a Clerk’s certificate which places any subsequent lienholder on notice of our action. Our extensive familiarity with the courts of Maine (since 1985) enables us to choose the most efficient Court in the various jurisdictions to prosecute our actions.

Following the filing of our Complaint, it, and a Summons, are served upon the debtors and junior lienholders (superior lienholders are served by certified mail). Once service is complete, the various parties are defaulted and a Motion for Summary Judgment is served with supporting documentation such as a Statement of Material Facts. Judgment is generally entered by the Court approximately thirty (30) days after the filing of our Motion for Summary Judgment which begins the running of the ninety (90) day redemption period for the debtors.

Once the redemption period has expired, our auction is advertised and notice thereof is served upon the interested parties. Our attorneys will then personally conduct the auction at the local courthouse. Documentation to complete the sale is expeditiously handled by our staff and closings are completed within thirty (30) days of the auction.

Legal services are also available for intervening bankruptcies. We will enter a Notice of Appearance, prepare and file a Proof of Claim, file an Objection to the debtor’s Chapter 13 plan if it does not provide for the client’s entire debt, file a Motion for Relief from the Automatic Stay as soon as cause exists, and attend any emergency hearings, cram down or adversary proceedings.

With over 15 years of real estate closing experience, we are also able to handle our client’s REO closing needs. Knowledge is power and often times we are able to bring a matter to a quicker resolution with the information gained during each phase of the foreclosure process. The distinguishing feature of our representation of our clients throughout the Maine process is not how we handle the "run of the mill" foreclosures but how we handle the difficult cases. We often handle cases that involve transferred assets as well as cases that have been transferred from one attorney to another. We quickly discern the problems and work to expedite resolution. In recognition of our efforts to build an excellent practice, in 2001, our firm received an Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Association of African-American Accountants, Southern New England Chapter.

If you have any questions concerning the foregoing or would like to obtain further information please contact John Doonan at 978-921-2670 ext. 112 (jad@dgandl.com)