lev-os Foreclosure Complaint
Draft a court-ready judicial foreclosure complaint with verified standing, default allegations, and itemized relief.
Prerequisites
Collect before drafting:
- Loan documents — note, mortgage/deed of trust, riders, endorsements/allonges
- Assignment chain — each note/mortgage transfer with dates and recording data
- Payment history — last paid installment, default date, arrearage breakdown
- Pre-suit notices — breach/acceleration/right-to-cure letters with proof of service
- Property data — legal description, parcel ID, address, recording info
- Jurisdiction rules — venue statute, foreclosure statute, verification/affidavit requirements
- Interested parties — borrower(s), guarantors, junior lienholders, HOA/condo, tenants
Inputs
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court/County | Yes | Must match property location and venue statute |
| Plaintiff identity | Yes | Entity type, state of formation, capacity (holder/servicer) |
| Defendant list | Yes | All parties with record or claimed interests |
| Note terms | Yes | Date, principal, rate, payment schedule, maturity |
| Mortgage terms | Yes | Date, recording book/page or instrument no. |
| Property legal description | Yes | Exact as recorded; include street address |
| Default date | Yes | First missed payment date |
| Amounts due | Yes | Principal, interest, fees, advances, per diem |
| Notices | Yes | Dates, method, content compliance |
| Standing facts | Yes | Chain of assignments and note possession |
| Modifications | If any | Dates, material terms, recalculated amounts |
Workflow
1. Build Pleading Structure
Follow this section order:
- Caption — court, parties, case type, case no. placeholder
- Jurisdiction and venue
- Parties and interest allegations
- Loan transaction (note + mortgage)
- Recording and lien priority
- Standing and chain of title
- Conditions precedent and notice compliance
- Default and acceleration
- Amounts due with per diem interest
- Causes of action
- Prayer for relief
- Verification/affidavit (if jurisdiction requires)
- Signature block and certificates
- Exhibits list
2. Plead Required Allegations
| Topic | Must Allege | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standing | Holder or authorized agent; note possession; assignments | Address lost note if applicable |
| Mortgage validity | Execution, consideration, recording | Provide recording data |
| Default | Date and nature of breach | Include last payment date |
| Notice compliance | Statutory and contractual notices | Include dates/methods |
| Acceleration | Date and method | Cite clause if needed |
| Amount due | Itemized totals | Include per diem rate |
| Priority | Lien priority vs. junior interests | Identify subordinate liens |
| Venue | Property located in county | Cite venue statute |
| Conditions precedent | Compliance pleaded with specificity | Attach notices as exhibits |
3. Itemize Amounts Due
Use this format:
Unpaid principal balance (as of [DATE]): $[AMOUNT]
Accrued interest through [DATE] at [RATE]%: $[AMOUNT]
Late charges / default interest: $[AMOUNT]
Advances (taxes/insurance/preservation): $[AMOUNT]
Other fees/costs authorized by loan docs: $[AMOUNT]
Total due as of [DATE]: $[AMOUNT]
Per diem interest: $[AMOUNT]/day
4. Draft Causes of Action
Include as applicable:
- Foreclosure of mortgage/deed of trust
- Breach of promissory note
- Deficiency judgment (if permitted by state law)
- Possession/writ of assistance (if needed)
- Priority and extinguishment of junior interests
5. Draft Prayer for Relief
- Money judgment for total indebtedness with per diem interest
- Foreclosure judgment and order of sale
- Application of sale proceeds per statute
- Deficiency judgment (if allowed)
- Extinguishment of junior interests, subject to redemption rights
- Attorneys' fees and costs (if authorized)
- Other relief deemed just and proper
6. Compile Exhibits
- Note (with endorsements/allonges)
- Mortgage/deed of trust
- Assignments (each link in chain)
- Payment history/accounting
- Default/breach and acceleration notices with proof of service
- Loan modification/forbearance agreements (if any)
- Affidavit of amounts due (if required)
- Lost note affidavit (if applicable)
Pitfalls and Checks
- Party names: Use exact names from loan docs and land records; keep consistent throughout.
- Standing: Plead note possession plus assignment chain. If note is lost, attach lost-note affidavit.
- Notice compliance: Include dates and service methods for every required notice and condition precedent.
- Deficiency: Do not request if barred or limited by state law.
- Jurisdiction specifics: Confirm verification, mediation, and pre-suit certification requirements.
- Unverified citations: Flag state-specific statutory citations you cannot confirm with
[VERIFY]. - Factual pleading: Avoid conclusory allegations; tie every allegation to an exhibit.
- Interested parties: Name all parties with recorded or claimed interests to clear title post-sale.