DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT

deficiency judgment

The imposition of personal liability on a debtor for the unpaid balance of a mortgage debt after foreclosure has failed to result in full payment of the debt amount due, or for the unpaid balance due after the repossession and resale of personal property subject to a security interest, if the repossession sale fails to result in full payment of the debt amount due. (Bernstein's Dictionary of Bankruptcy Terminology)

United Glossary of Bankruptcy Terms2012.

deficiency judgment

The imposition of personal liability on a debtor for the unpaid balance of a mortgage debt after foreclosure has failed to result in full payment of the debt amount due, or for the unpaid balance due after the repossession and resale of personal property subject to a security interest, if the repossession sale fails to result in full payment of the debt amount due.

US Bankruptcy2012.

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A judgment made by a court against a debtor indicating that the sale on a foreclosed piece of property did not cover the outstanding mortgage in full. It is a lien placed on the debtor for further money. A deficiency judgment is not considered by the court unless the lender makes a motion for it to be granted. If the lender does not make the motion, then the court considers the money gained from the foreclosed property to be sufficient.

A debtor who receives a deficiency judgment may seek exemption from the lender or other creditors, file a motion to have the judgment overturned or, if necessary, declare bankruptcy. Before making any decisions pertaining to a deficiancy judgment, defendants would be best advised to contact an attorney.