Filing Checklists
Interactive, jurisdiction-specific checklists for residential and timeshare foreclosure cases
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Residential Foreclosure Checklist
Adams County, Ohio
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Phase 1 — Intake & Due Diligence
Receive referral package from lender/bank
Confirm property address, legal description, and county
Run conflict of interest check
Obtain original Note and Mortgage (or certified copies)
Verify chain of title and all assignments of mortgage
Confirm client has standing to foreclose
Check for prior liens, HOA liens, or tax certificates
Run PACER search for pending bankruptcy filingsCRITICAL
Obtain payoff calculation / amounts due from lender
Confirm property is not owner-occupied (if applicable)
Phase 2 — Pre-Filing
Order Preliminary Judicial Report (title search)CRITICAL
Confirm PJR is current (within 30 days of filing)
Prepare Complaint for Foreclosure
Prepare Summons for each defendant
Identify all necessary defendants (borrower, co-borrower, junior lienholders, HOA, etc.)
Prepare Lis Pendens for recording (if not already filed)
Phase 3 — E-Filing
Log in to County-Specific E-Filing Portals
Convert all documents to PDF format
Verify file sizes (limit: Varies by county (typically 10–25 MB))
Select correct case type: Mortgage Foreclosure
Pay filing fee: $150.00
Upload Complaint, Summons, and all attachments
Confirm e-filing submission and save confirmation number
Record Lis Pendens with Register of Deeds / Clerk of Court
Phase 4 — Service of Process
Arrange service on all defendants (Sheriff or private process server)
Answer deadline: 28 days from service
Track service dates for each defendant
File Proof of Service / Return of Service with court
If defendant cannot be located: file Motion for Service by Publication
Phase 5 — Default or Contested Proceedings
If no answer filed: prepare and file Motion for Default
Obtain Entry of Default from clerk
File Motion for Summary Judgment
Prepare proposed Decree of Foreclosure
File Order of Sale after decree is entered
Attend hearing (in person or via Zoom if permitted)
Phase 6 — Foreclosure Sale
Obtain signed Final Judgment / Decree of Foreclosure
Schedule foreclosure sale date
Publish Notice of Sale as required by statute
Register on auction platform: In-person Sheriff Sale
Attend / monitor foreclosure sale
File Certificate of Sale / Confirmation of Sale
Obtain Certificate of Title / Sheriff's Deed after objection period
Phase 7 — Post-Sale
Record deed with Register of Deeds / Clerk of Court
Notify lender of sale results
Assess deficiency judgment (if applicable and permitted)
File Motion for Writ of Possession (if property occupied)
Close file and send final billing to client