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Fairfield JD - Bridgeport Superior Court
Foreclosure Standing Orders

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FORECLOSURE STANDING ORDER NO. 1
Publication of Advertisements for Foreclosures by Sale
(Revised 7/3/02)

Please be advised that in any case in which a foreclosure by sale is ordered advertising is to be published in The Connecticut Post on the two Saturdays immediately preceding the sale date unless otherwise ordered by the court.

By the Court


FORECLOSURE STANDING ORDER NO. 1.1
Facsimile Bidding for Foreclosure Sales
(Revised 1/1/07)

Please be advised that in any case in which a foreclosure by sale is ordered the plaintiff is permitted to bid via e-mail or facsimile pursuant to the order as below. (Tyma, J.)

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Important note regarding Bridgeport Foreclosure Standing Orders #2 and #3
Please be advised that the Bridgeport Foreclosure Standing Orders #2 and #3 are only posted on this site to serve as a reference to orders that may have been entered by this Court prior to the implementation of Statewide Foreclosure by Sale Standing Orders and the Uniform Procedures for Foreclosures by Sale. All judgments of foreclosure by sale are issued by this Court pursuant the Statewide Foreclosure by Sale Standing Orders and the Uniform Procedures for Foreclosures by Sale.

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FORECLOSURE STANDING ORDER NO. 2
Revised and Reissued, Effective September 6, 2001
By Order of the Presiding Judge

Foreclosures by Sale

Unless otherwise ordered, these are the standing orders for foreclosures by sale:

a. Committee will be appointed by the Court.
b. Sales will take place @ 12 noon on the premises.
c. Inspection will occur from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon on the date of sale.
d. The deposit is 10% of the fair market value as found by the Court. The deposit is waived for the plaintiff unless requested otherwise. Deposit is to be paid by either bank or certified check. Purchaser is to close within 30 days of the Court’s approval of the committee deed. The deposit shall be forfeited if the purchaser fails to close within 30 days of the approval of the committee deed.
e. Advertising is to be placed in The Connecticut Post on the two Saturdays preceding the sale.
f. The sign is to be placed on the premises not less than 20 nor more than 30 days prior to the sale.
g. Size of sign to be 3 feet wide x 2 feet high and must contain the following statement:
Do Not Remove; Violation Subject To Punishment By Court.
h. Cost of sign not to exceed $350 including preparation, erection and photograph for inclusion in committee report.
i. Committee is authorized to replace sign once without court approval. The committee is authorized to hire someone to erect sign. Do not erect sign yourself.
j. A disinterested appraiser will be appointed and will, under oath, appraise the property and make return of the appraisal to the Clerk of the Court at least ten days prior to the sale. The committee will identify and retain this appraiser.
k. Committee is to obtain liability insurance for the date of the sale in the amount of $1,000,000. Premium not to exceed $250.00.
l. Except for filing an appearance, if the sale is more than two months in the future, the committee should incur no fees or expenses until 45 days prior to sale unless otherwise ordered by the court.
m. If the committee receives notice of bankruptcy prior to sale, the plaintiff’s attorney must be notified immediately. If sale is cancelled for any reason after publication or erection of sign, a written announcement of cancellation should be posted at the site. There is no need for the committee to remain on site in that event.
n. The following information is to be contained in the Court ordered letter to the nonappearing defendant owner of the equity. The letter is to be sent by the plaintiff via certified, return receipt mail and should clearly state at the beginning that it is being sent at the direction of the Court. A copy of the letter and later the return receipt should be sent to the Clerk of the Court. No sale will be approved or funds disbursed without proof of mailing. In short, the letter should state the results of the foreclosure judgment, informing the nonappearing equity owner that they risk loss of the equity if they fail to take steps to protect that equity and that they should check with the court after the sale to learn if there is any money that is distributable to them. Furthermore, the letter should state that the nonappearing party should either file their own appearance or have an attorney file one in their behalf order to protect their interest in the equity.
o. The sale is subject to any and all liens choate and inchoate which are prior in right to the encumbrance being foreclosed.

By Order of the Court

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FORECLOSURE STANDING ORDER NO. 3
Revised and Reissued, Effective September 6, 2001
By Order of the Presiding Judge

Court Authorized Instructions to Committee

THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO ASSIST YOU IN THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR DUTIES AS A COURT APPOINTED COMMITTEE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE EXPECTATION OF THE COURT THAT YOU WILL DISCHARGE THIS RESPONSIBILITY COMPETENTLY AND EFFICIENTLY AND WITH DUE REGARD FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE PARTIES AND THE COURT. THE SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE EMBODIED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE QUALITY OF YOUR WORK AND THE APPROPRIATENESS OF YOUR FEE.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
YOUR APPOINTMENT IS A PERSONAL APPOINTMENT. YOU SHOULD FILE A PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND NOT A FIRM APPEARANCE. YOUR DUTIES MAY NOT BE DELEGATED TO ANYONE ELSE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE COURT. ABSENT A SIGNIFICANT REASON WHY YOU CANNOT PERSONALLY APPEAR TO ARGUE YOUR OWN MOTION (FOR EXAMPLE, A HEALTH OR FAMILY EMERGENCY), THE COURT WILL NOT HEAR ARGUMENT ON YOUR MOTION WITHOUT YOUR PRESENCE. ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE NEED FOR YOU TO APPEAR FOR A MOTION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE FORECLOSURE CLERK AT (203) 579-6527. THE COMMITTEE REPORT MUST BE FILED PROMPTLY ON THE PRESCRIBED FORM. WHEN THE COMMITTEE REPORT IS FILED, THE COMMITTEE MAY REQUEST FOR THE COURT’S CONSIDERATON AN ORDER DIRECTING THE PLAINTIFF OR THE CLERK OF THE COURT TO REIMBURSE EXPENSES AND PAY FEES WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE APPROVAL OF SALE.

THE JUDGMENT MAY INCLUDE A DATE AFTER WHICH YOU MAY BEGIN TO INCUR FEES AND EXPENSES. HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD FILE AN APPEARANCE IMMEDIATELY.

IF YOU WILL BE UNAVAILABLE ON THE DATE OF THE SALE OR ARE OTHERWISE DISQUALIFIED FROM SERVING, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE FORECLOSURE CLERK IMMEDIATELY SO THAT A NEW COMMITTEE MAY BE APPOINTED IN YOUR PLACE.

YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO ALTER THE TERMS OF THE JUDGMENT WITHOUT COURT APPROVAL. QUESTIONS, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND THE FORECLOSURE CLERK, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION FOR ADVICE. IF A MOTION FOR ADVICE WOULD NOT BE PRINTED ON THE SHORT CALENDAR IN TIME TO PROVIDE TIMELY ADVICE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE FORECLOSURE CLERK FOR AN EXPEDITED ASSIGNMENT ON THE WRITE-ON LIST.

IF YOUR DUTIES ARE TERMINATED BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF SERVICE, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE FORECLOSURE CLERK.

APPEARANCE IN COURT
YOU NO LONGER NEED TO ATTEND COURT TO SEEK APPROVAL OF A SALE UNLESS YOU ARE AWARE OF A LIKELY OBJECTION OR ARE ORDERED BY THE COURT TO DO SO. GENERALLY, YOU NEED ONLY ATTEND COURT TO OBTAIN THE ADVICE OF THE COURT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED BELOW. YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEND COURT FOR ARGUMENT ON MOTIONS FOR EXTENSION OR MODIFICATION OF A SALE. ANY UNNECESSARY APPEARANCE IN COURT WILL NOT BE APPROVED FOR COMPENSATION.

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS
THE CONNECTICUT POST NOW CARRIES A BLOCK NOTICE OF THE CONDITIONS OF SALES (SEE ATTACHED). THE INFORMATION THEREIN APPLIES TO ALL FORECLOSURE NOTICES AND SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE LEGAL AD. PLEASE CHECK THE BLOCK NOTICE CONDITIONS CAREFULLY TO DETERMINE WHETHER SOMETHING SPECIFIC NEEDS TO BE ADDED OR CLARIFIED IN THE AD REGARDING THE SPECIFICS OF YOUR PROPERTY. NOTE THAT A METES AND BOUNDS LEGAL DESCRIPTION SHOULD NOT BE PART OF THE AD. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEW POLICY OF THE CONNECTICUT POST IS FOR THE COMMITTEE TO PAY FOR THE ADS BEFORE THEY ARE PRINTED IN THE PAPER.

ENCLOSED IS A SUGGESTED AD FORMAT. IT CAN BE QUITE SHORT BECAUSE MOST OF THE CONDITIONS OF SALE AND THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION ARE NO LONGER INCLUDED IN EACH AD (SEE ATTACHED).

UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS WHERE THE PROPERTY IS UNIQUE, COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENT. PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE COURT WILL BE NECESSARY. A COST ESTIMATE MUST BE PROVIDED.

ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ADS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE LEGAL NOTICE DEPARTMENT AT THE CONNECTICUT POST.

APPRAISER
YOU ARE AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO RETAIN A DISINTERESTED APPRAISER TO APPRAISE THE PROPERTY PURSUANT TO GENERAL STATUTE SEC. 49-25. THE APPRAISAL SHALL BE MADE UNDER OATH AND RETURNED TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT AT LEAST TEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE SALE.

TITLE SEARCH
ONCE YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO BEGIN WORK, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONDUCT OR ORDER A TITLE SEARCH TO CONFIRM THAT THERE ARE NO LIENS OR OTHER ENCUMBRANCES NOT LISTED IN THE PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT. ANY DISCREPANCIES SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEY SO ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN. THE COST OF THE TITLE SEARCH SHOULD NOT EXCEED $150.00 PLUS COST OF COPIES, UNLESS OTHERWISE ORDERED BY THE COURT.

SIGN ON PREMISES (IF ORDERED)
THE SIGN MUST BE PLACED ON THE PREMISES NOT LESS THAN 20 NOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SALE. THE SIGN SHALL BE 3 FEET WIDE x 2 FEET HIGH AND MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: DO NOT REMOVE; VIOLATION SUBJECT TO PUNISHMENT BY COURT. COST OF SIGN SHALL NOT EXCEED $350 INCLUDING PREPARATION, ERECTION, AND PHOTOGRAPH FOR INCLUSION IN COMMITTEE REPORT. YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO REPLACE THE SIGN ONCE WITHOUT COURT APPROVAL, PROVIDED THE SIGN CAN BE ERECTED AT LEAST TEN DAYS PRIOR TO SALE. YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO HIRE SOMEONE TO ERECT SIGN. DO NOT ERECT SIGN YOURSELF.

ACCESS TO PREMISES
YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE PERSONS IN CONTROL OF THE PREMISES (THROUGH COUNSEL OR IF NECESSARY DIRECTLY) TO ESTABLISH THE ACCESSABILITY OF THE PREMISES ON THE DATE OF THE SALE.

THE ORDER PERMITTING ENTRY ALLOWS YOU TO OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE PREMISES FROM THE OWNERS OF THE EQUITY OR TENANTS WHO ARE NAMED AS DEFENDANTS. HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH YOU MAY USE THE ORDER TO GAIN ACCESS IF THE OCCUPANTS OF THE PREMISES AGREE, IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO OBTAIN ENTRY TO THE PREMISES WITHOUT CONSENT. IF PRIOR TO, ON, OR AFTER THE DATE OF SALE THE COMMITTEE HAS ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING OBTAINING ACCESS TO OR SECURING THE PREMISES, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE FORECLOSURE CLERK AT (203) 579-6527.

POLICE OFFICER
YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO HIRE A POLICE OFFICER WHEN, IN YOUR DISCRETION, IT IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, A REASONABLE CONCERN FOR SAFETY, OR SECURITY AT THE SALE OR ANY OTHER REASON WHICH YOU, IN GOOD FAITH, REASONABLY BELIEVE WARRANTS A POLICE OFFICER. THE GROUNDS FOR SUCH A DECISION MUST BE STATED IN THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT TO THE COURT.

LOCKSMITH
THE HIRING OF A LOCKSMITH WITHOUT PRIOR JUDICIAL APPROVAL IS AUTHORIZED ONLY WHEN THE PREMISES ARE ACTUALLY OR APPARENTLY UNOCCUPIED. " UNOCCUPIED" MEANS UNINHABITED AND UNFURNISHED. IF AFTER ENTRY, IT IS DISCOVERED THAT THE PREMISES ARE OCCUPIED, YOU MUST WITHDRAW, RELOCK THE PREMISES AND LEAVE A NOTE IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE THAT KEYS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM YOU. YOU, NOT THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER OR THE PLAINTIFF, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURING THE PREMISES AFTER THE SALE. IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN OF HOW TO PROCEED, A MOTION FOR ADVICE MAY BE FILED WITH THE COURT WHICH WILL BE ADDRESSED ON AN EXPEDITED BASIS.

CONDITION OF PREMISES
ORDINARILY THE FORECLOSING PLAINTIFF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDITION OF THE PREMISES PRIOR TO SALE. IF HOWEVER, YOU LEARN THAT CERTAIN EMERGENCY CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY TO IMPACT THE SALE MATERIALLY (e.g. LEAKING ROOF OR BURST PIPES), YOU SHOULD FIRST NOTIFY THE PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEY. IF NOT CORRECTED IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO AVOID IMPACTING THE SALE, THE CONDITION SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE BROUGHT TO THE COURT’S ATTENTION BY FILING A MOTION FOR ADVICE WHICH WILL BE ADDRESSED ON AN EXPEDITED BASIS.

VIEWING PREMISES
YOU SHOULD INSPECT THE PREMISES AS SOON AFTER THE SIGN IS ERECTED AS PRACTICABLE. ORDINARILY, THERE SHOULD BE NO FURTHER NEED TO INSPECT EXCEPT THAT VIEWING AND INSPECTION OF PREMISES SHOULD BE CONDUCTED ON THE MORNING OF THE SALE. HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD DO YOUR BEST TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE PROPERTY BY CONSULTING THE APPRAISAL AND REVIEWING THE PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE BUILDING IN PREPARATION FOR QUESTIONS THAT MAY BE ASKED BY INTERESTED PARTIES. FROM THIS DATA, A FACT SHEET SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR INQUIRIES PRIOR TO THE SALE (SEE SAMPLE).

POST SALE PROCEDURE
THE CHECK FOR DEPOSIT AND THE BALANCE OF THE FUNDS FROM THE CLOSING SHOULD BE DEPOSITED WITH THE COURT ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER. THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER’S CHECK SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO THE BIDDER AND ENDORSED TO THE "CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT" OR IF MADE PAYABLE TO ANOTHER, ENDORSED TO THE "CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT". YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE DEPOSIT OR THE PURCHASE PRICE.

IN ORDER FOR THE SALE AND THE COMMITTEE’S FEES TO BE APPROVED IN THE SHORTEST PERIOD OF TIME, THE COMMITTEE IS ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT THE MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF SALE BY THE WEDNESDAY FOLLOWING THE SALE. ALL ADDITIONAL MOTIONS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING THE COMMITTEE REPORT IN THE FORM PROVIDED) MUST BE FILED WITH THE CLERK’S OFFICE NO LATER THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE FILING OF THE MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF SALE. THE DEED MUST BE IN THE FORM OF "COMMITTEE DEED" ATTACHED. ANY DEVIATION MUST BE APPROVED BY THE COURT.

FEES AND COSTS
COMMITTEE FEES WILL BE APPROVED ONLY UPON THE FILING WITH THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF AN APPROPRIATE MOTION SUPPORTED BY AN AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE PERFORMANCE WHICH MUST CONTAIN AN ITEMIZATION IN UNITS OF TIME. GENERALLY, THE APPROVABLE HOURLY RATE WILL BE $150.

SUPERIOR COURT
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF FAIRFIELD AT BRIDGEPORT

The above instructions are the product of the dedicated sevice of a committee consisting of the following: the Hon. A. William Mottolese; Dennis Anderson, Esq.; Robert Frankel, Esq.; Lawrence Garfinkel, Esq.; Geoffrey Milne, Esq.; Mark Rosen, Esq.; Louis C. Zowine, Esq.; Jennifer St. John, Esq.; and Robert A. Wilock, II, Esq.. The court wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the many hours which these attorneys donated to this project. By doing so, they have given honor to their profession and have advanced the administration of Foreclosure Proceedings in this Judicial District.

STANDARD FORM FOR NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS IN FORECLOSURE SALES ORDERED IN THE JUDCIAL DISTRICT OF FAIRFIELD AT BRIDGEPORT. Metes and bounds description of property is not to be included in ad. Committee should have legal description available from court file to provide to interested parties.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION

FORECLOSURE SALE: <fill in type of property: e.g. Residential Property, Land Only, Multi-Family Dwelling, Commercial Building, Residential Condominium, etc.>

Location: <street address and town>

Pursuant to a judgment of the Superior Court for the Judicial District of Fairfield at Bridgeport in <case name>, Docket Number CV <docket number> the above identified property will be sold, subject to Court approval, at public auction on Saturday <date and time> on the premises. SUBJECT TO "CONDITIONS OF ALL SALES" LISTED ON THIS PAGE.

The property will be sold as a whole, "as is", without representations of any kind, free and clear of the interests of the parties bound by said judgment but subject to taxes and other such liens not foreclosed by said judgment and subject to all laws, ordinances, or governmental restrictions and subject to easements and restrictions appearing of record if any.

[If the United States of America is a party defendant, include the following language at the end of the paragraph above:] <and subject to the right of the United States of America to redeem as provided by law.>

The successful bidder shall deposit with the Committee, at the time of the sale, a certified or bank check in the amount of <amount of deposit in words> dollars($<amount of deposit in numbers>). The balance of the purchase price is to be paid upon the passing of the committee deed which must take place not later than thirty (30) days from the approval of said sale by the Court. If the purchaser is unable to complete the sale within said thirty day period, the deposit shall be forfeited.

Further description of the property and further particulars of the terms of the sale as ordered by the Court may be obtained from the court file or from the committee.

<Name>, Committee [do not include firm name]
<Street address>
Telephone: (203)<Phone number>

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Standing Orders
 

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