Maine Allows Expedited Foreclosure Of Abandoned Properties

Foreclosure

On April 5, Maine Governor Paul LePage signed into law LD 1389, which expedites foreclosures on properties determined by a court to be abandoned by shortening the redemption period from 90 to 45 days. The bill also shortens the period of time within which an action can be filed to challenge the validity of a governmental taking of real property for nonpayment of property taxes from 15 to five years after the expiration of the redemption period. This shorter challenge period applies where the tax lien is recorded after October 13, 2014. The law takes effect 90 days after the legislative session adjourns.