How are trust deeds or mortgage liens treated in Missouri?

Missouri primarily operates as atitle theory state where the property title remains in trust until payment in full occurs for the underlying loan. Foreclosure is anon-judicial remedy under this theory. The document that secures the title is called adeed of trust.  Missouri law also permitsmortgages to serve as liens upon real property and forjudicial foreclosures to occur through the courts. Because thepower of sale provisions intrust deeds is a faster mechanism to effectuate foreclosure and because there is no right to redemption, this is the primary vehicle used to foreclose.

How are Missouri mortgages foreclosed?

The primary method of foreclosure in Missouri involves what is known asnon-judicial foreclosure. This type of foreclosure does not involve court action but requires notice. When thedeed of trust is initially executed it will usually contain a provision called apower of sale clause which upon default allows atrustee to sell the property in order to satisfy the underlying defaulted loan.  Thetrustee acts as a representative of the lender to effectuate the sale which typically occurs in the form of an auction. Because this is a non-judicial remedy there are very stringent notice requirements and the legal documents are required to contain thepower of sale language in order to use this type of foreclosure method.

Power of Sale Notice Requirements:

1. Anotice of foreclosure sale must be published at lease twenty (20) times and continued to the day of sale in the event the property is located in a city of 50,000 inhabitants or more. In other geographical areas publication must occur four at least four successive weeks the last advertisement no more than a week from the date of the sale. Notice requirements are referenced in Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 443.320.
2. Within 20 days of the date of the sale the trustee must provide notice by registered or certified mail to the borrower and other parties in interest of the sale date and time, the terms of the sale and a description of the property to be sold. Foreclosure sales are to be held between 9AM and 5PM to be deemed commercially reasonable. Sale requirements are referenced in Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 443.327.

In Missouri, thelenders can also go to court in what is known as a judicial foreclosure proceeding where the court must issue a final judgment of foreclosure. Usually if the deed of trust does not contain thePower of sale language, the lender must seek judicial foreclosure. The property is then sold as part of a publicly noticed sale. A complaint is filed in court along with what is known a lis pendens. A lis pendens is a recorded document that provides public notice that the property is being foreclosed upon.

What are the legal instruments that establish a Missouri mortgage?

The documents are known as thedeed of trust, and in a commercial transaction, asecurity agreement. Sometimes the mortgage document is combined with the security agreement.  Alternatively, amortgage is filed to evidence the underlying debt and terms of repayment, which is set forth in thenote.

How long does it take to foreclose a property in Missouri?

Depending on the timing of the various required notices, it usually takes approximately 60-90 days to effectuate an uncontestednon-judicial foreclosure. This process may be delayed if the borrower contests the action in court, seeks delays and postponements of sales, or files forbankruptcy.

Is there a right of redemption in Missouri?

Missouri has an onerous post-salestatutory right of redemption with respect to power of sale foreclosures which would allow a party whose property has been foreclosed to reclaim that property by making payment in full of the sum of the unpaid loan plus costs. There is a one (1) year right of redemption if a foreclosure is obtained by judicial means. In order to exercise the right to redemption however the borrower must provide notice within twenty (20) days after the sale of theintent to redeem and then post a bond for all costs and fees due exclusive of the amount of principal and interest. Redemption rights are referenced in Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 443.420.

Are deficiency judgments permitted in Missouri?

No. Adeficiency judgment may not generally be obtained when a property in foreclosure is sold at a public sale for less than the loan amount which the underlying mortgage secures.

What statutes govern Missouri foreclosures?

The laws that govern Missouri deed of trust foreclosures are found in Chapter 443.327 Missouri Revised Statutes.

http://www.moga.state.mo.us/STATUTES/C443.HTM