AvvoGoogle Business
Law Off of D.L. Drain P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer | "Helping You Get Your Life Back on Track"
Law Off of D.L. Drain P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer | "Helping You Get Your Life Back on Track"

Trustee's Sale Articles & Resources

Information about Arizona Foreclosures, including Trustee's Sale

Trustee’s Sale Articles & LinksSite Producer2025-08-07T10:14:10-07:00

What is a foreclosure?

When a borrower doesn’t perform their financial obligations, a lender may legally seize and sell a home or other property. This method is called foreclosure. There are various types of foreclosures in Arizona.

  1. The trustee’s sale procedure is the most used in Arizona. When the lender decides to foreclose on the borrower’s property, there are laws governing the process. Normally the trustee’s sale, in comparison to other processes, is cheaper and quicker (at least 90 days). In this method, there is no court involvement.
  2. The second process is a judicial foreclosure. This is a court procedure. Therefore, it is more expensive and takes longer. The advantage for the lender is that a deficiency action could be brought against the borrower or guarantor. The homeowners’ association (“HOA”), or those who purchased back taxes may also use this court process.
    • The sheriff’s sale comes after the judicial foreclosure. As was already mentioned, the process begins in court. The task of selling the property is then given to the sheriff. Lenders, HOAs, and investors in back taxes normally use this.

The following will explain a few of the fundamentals of Trustee’s Sale.

If you fall behind on your mortgage payments in Arizona, the trustee’s sale is one of the things your lender can do.  A judicial foreclosure is the second option. The trustee’s sale is often chosen because it lets the lender move faster and costs less than the judicial foreclosure.

Quick Links to Articles & Resources

Learn more about the Trustee’s Sale process by clicking on the following link.

Visit “Trustee’s Sale Process”

Our frequently asked questions includes many questions about: foreclosure rescue scams, the trustee’s sale process, if you have a VA loan, living in the property and excess sale proceeds.

Visit Trustee Sale FAQs

Deficiency-Flow-Chart-8-7-25 re trustee sales and foreclosure.

(As of May 28, 2018 this became permanent Federal law. Also see links at bottom to Arizona Landlord Tenant Act)

by Attorney Janet Portman Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act – Federal legislation signed in May 2009 gives important rights to tenants whose landlords have lost their properties through foreclosure. The mortgage industry crisis that started in 2006 has resulted in thousands — no, make that millions — of foreclosed homes. Most of the occupants are the homeowners themselves, who must scramble to find alternate housing with very little notice. They’re being joined by scores of renters who discover, often with no warning, that their rented house or apartment is now owned by a bank, which wants them out.

Read More by visiting

Tenants and Trustee Sales (foreclosures)

Visit Arizona Trustee’s Sales and Bankruptcy by Diane Drain

Property which is pledged as collateral on a debt will sometimes be surrendered to the creditor if the debtor is unable to make payments.

The rise in incidents of foreclosure of homeowner mortgages across the nation is but one aspect of this. Repossessions of cars and mobile homes are also common occurrences in the current economic environment. This article explores the income tax consequences to the borrower which may ensue from surrendering property to satisfy a debt. In general there are two tax aspects to consider: (1) recognition of gain or loss on the transaction and (2) recognition of cancellation of indebtedness (COD) income.

Read More about this by visiting the link below

Tax Issues in short sales, trustee and sales and foreclosures, by Robert Ciancola

Visit Investing in Post-Trustee Sale Properties

Visit “Sue on the Note or Foreclose on the Property – what is the difference?” by Stephanie Monroe Wilson. An Arizona attorney

Visit “Buying Tax Liens: Not an Entirely Gold Plated Investment“, by Chris McNichol, an Arizona Attorney

“Tax Lien Sales Winner for County (but not investors)“, by Mike Fimea, Arizona Business Gazette, February 19, 2004, volume 124

When deciding whether to fight to keep your home or let the lender foreclose, it’s important to know what the lender’s processes are.

How long before my house has equity?

Find out by using the calculator below. This tool will allow you to calculate when you will have equity in your home.

The principal and interest make up the majority of your mortgage payment. The main is the amount borrowed, while the interest is the fee paid to the lender. Your lender may additionally collect an additional sum each month to place in escrow, which the lender (or servicer) normally pays directly to the local property tax collector and your insurance provider.

Clients from all across Arizona have put their trust in us

I am so happy I called Diane Drain to get me through bankruptcy!

“Don't waste your time looking for an attorney she's right here! ” A.H. She is the BEST!! I am so happy I called Diane Drain to get me through bankruptcy! She made me feel at ease, answered all my questions and was always available when I needed [...]

Her knowledge and patience are a model that every attorney should follow

“Her knowledge and patience are a model that every attorney should follow” S.H. Diane Drain is one of the most incredible attorneys I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. She takes the time necessary with each client to provide expert advice. Her knowledge and patience are a [...]

Diane has many years of experience and is honest and it shows.

“Diane has many years of experience and is honest and it shows...” J.C. To declare Bankruptcy is a both personal and difficult and at time can seem overwhelming , but With Diane and Jay they made the journey as comfortable and easy understanding as possible. with Diane [...]

Experienced and excellent. 5.0 stars

"Experienced and excellent. 5.0 stars" M.R. Diane did a tremendous job preparing me for my bankruptcy. She educated me thoroughly about the process and stressed the importance of following all the steps as concisely as possible. Her rates are very reasonable, and I cannot recommend her highly [...]

Following her guidance help make the process as smooth as possible

“Following her guidance help make the process as smooth as possible” D.K. Diane is extremely knowledgeable about the whole process. Following her guidance help make the process as smooth as possible. Throughout the process she treated me with the upmost in respect and professionalism. [...]

There will never be a way to repay all you did for us

"There will never be a way to repay all you did for us." J & P I thought lawyers were all greedy. You made sure we could afford your fees which allowed us to keep our car. There will never be a way to repay all you did [...]

Simply put, Ms. Diane Drain knows her stuff

"Simply put, Ms. Diane Drain knows her stuff " Glenn Simply put, Ms. Diane Drain knows her stuff and you certainly want somebody of her caliber in your corner when the chips are down. It is a great privilege and a greater comfort to have her in mine. [...]

It felt like we had some friends who cared about us

It felt like we had some friends who cared about us. S.D. My husband and I wanted to begin the process of starting our bankruptcy, but it’s really scary not knowing who you can trust and who would step up to bat for you. Diane and Jay [...]

She Took the Time to Help Me Find Someone

“The Kind of Attorney You Want on Your Side... ” A.V. Diane Drain is an amazing person. She is the kind of attorney you want on your side and comes highly recommended by other attorney's. Even though my case was not a bankruptcy case, she took time [...]

We are very happy we were referred to Diane

"We are very happy we were referred to Diane" S.G. Diane helped my husband and me get past a difficult chapter in our lives. She answered all our questions and gave us excellent advice. We followed her directions from start to finish and the process went smoothly. Having [...]

Mrs. Drain is very direct and clear

"Mrs. Drain is very direct and clear." Anonymous When my wife and I first considered bankruptcy we contacted one of the TV advertised law firms that specializes in bankruptcy law. On our appointment we met a group of the most inept people I have ever met. It was exactly [...]

Diane helped guide me through the bankruptcy every step of the way, with a very calm demeanor

Diane helped guide me through the bankruptcy every step of the way, with a very calm demeanor. D.W. If you have to file bankruptcy, I recommend you hire Diane Drain. After speaking to 3 other bankruptcy attorneys before Diane, I believe I know the difference between a knowledgeable, professional, [...]

caring service

“You folks are the BEST OF THE BEST in Arizona” M.H. "caring service" M.C.

The absolute best Bankruptcy Attorney

"The absolute best Bankruptcy Attorney" W.Z. Diane and Jay were wonderful. I really appreciated their genuine compassion. I hired the absolute best for a fair price. Diane has an absolute mastery of the law and she explains everything in a easy to understand style. She will not [...]

You relieved deep seated fears for me…

“You relieved deep seated fears for me…” J.M. You made this terribly difficult situation as comfortable for me as possible.  You relieved deep seated fears for me and I felt I was very well taken care of and I felt every area was taken care of completely. [...]

You will have to put in the required time and effort, but Diane’s processes and methodology does work

“You will have to put in the required time and effort, but Diane’s processes and methodology does work” A & N.S. I have worked in the demanding High Technology Industry for over 40 years and have been involved with many stressful and high pressure business situations worldwide. [...]

We were treated with the utmost care and respect

"We were treated with the utmost care and respect." A.W. We were very apprehensive and stressed out at the thought of having to go through such a difficult process. From our first meeting with Diane Drain it was clear that we would not have to go through this [...]

Diane had kind words to comfort despite our horrible circumstances

“Give her a call if you don't know where to turn.... ” B.G. Diane was an exceptionally nice lady and very courteous to my wife and I as we requested help. She had kind words to comfort despite our horrible circumstances. She gave us great advice and [...]

Beyond the Bankruptcy Paperwork: It’s Not Just Filling Out Forms, and Understanding The Attorney’s Role

Many people, including inexperienced attorneys, think that bankruptcy is simple. To quote a first-year law student on their first day in bankruptcy class, "It is [...]

Are you or a loved one experiencing financial hardship?

Help Yourself or Someone You Love
Share your info (or a loved one’s) below to receive clear, actionable steps today to begin the FREE Consultation process. Feel free to ask us anything along the way.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
Consent to receive email(Required)

Information submitted through this form is used solely to respond to your inquiry. We do not sell, share, or use your information for marketing purposes. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship or mean that we represent you. Please do not include confidential or time-sensitive information.

Go to Top