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Missouri · Understand the process

How long does foreclosure take in Missouri?

A Missouri foreclosure can move fast. After the federal 120-day wait, the trustee only has to give 20 days' notice before the sale, so a sale can come a little under 5 months after your first missed payment. That is a minimum, not a prediction. A demand letter, loss mitigation reviews and postponements often add time.

The short answer: At the very least, a little under 5 months pass from your first missed payment to a sale: more than 120 days of missed payments under the federal rule, then at least 20 days of notice before the trustee's sale. This is a legal minimum, not a prediction. A demand letter giving you time to catch up often comes first, and many cases take longer.

Ask for help in Missouri Free HUD counselor: (800) 569-4287

Reviewed against Missouri law and official sources on October 12, 2026. General information, not legal advice.

The foreclosure timeline in Missouri, phase by phase

  1. Missed payments and demand letter

    Day 1 to at least day 121

    After the federal 120-day wait, the servicer can start. The Missouri Bar says a demand letter giving you about 30 days to catch up usually comes around the third missed payment. A complete loss mitigation application sent in this period can pause the next step under federal rules.

    12 C.F.R. § 1024.41(f)

  2. Notice of sale to auction

    At least 20 days

    The trustee mails the notice at least 20 days before the sale and publishes it in the newspaper. Missouri has no separate waiting period after a recorded notice of default, so this is the main state clock.

    RSMo §§ 443.310, 443.320, 443.325

  3. Sale day and short continuances

    One continuance of up to 7 days

    The sale is held in the county where the home is, usually between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The trustee can continue it once for up to 7 days by announcement. Longer delays happen only if you and the lender agree, or if the trustee starts over with a new notice.

    RSMo §§ 443.327, 443.355

  4. Pause after the owner's death

    6 months after the death

    If the owner of the home dies, no trustee's sale can be held within 6 months after the death. Heirs should contact the servicer right away during this time.

    RSMo § 443.300

  5. Redemption window when the lender buys

    20 days to post a bond, then up to 1 year

    If you gave written notice of intent to redeem and the lender bought the home, you have 20 days after the sale to get a bond approved by the circuit court. If that is done, you have one year from the sale to redeem, and the buyer gets only a certificate of sale until then.

    RSMo §§ 443.410, 443.420, 443.440

  6. Unlawful detainer case

    Court date within 21 business days of the summons; 10 days after judgment

    The summons must be served at least 4 days before the court date. If the new owner wins, the order to restore possession cannot issue sooner than 10 days after the judgment, and it is put on hold if you appeal and post an appeal bond.

    RSMo §§ 534.070, 534.090, 534.350

Missouri deadlines written into the law

Notice of sale mailed and published before the saleRSMo §§ 443.310, 443.325At least 20 days
Written notice of intent to redeem (if the lender may buy)RSMo § 443.410At the sale or within 10 days before the advertised sale date
Redemption bond approved by the circuit courtRSMo §§ 443.420, 443.430Within 20 days after the sale
Time to redeem when the lender bought the homeRSMo § 443.4101 year from the sale date
No trustee's sale after the owner diesRSMo § 443.300Not within 6 months after the death
Notice to renters after the saleRSMo § 534.030At least 10 business days before an eviction case

Your own dates are on the notices you received. If a notice and this page disagree, trust the notice and ask a counselor or lawyer.

Common questions in Missouri

What is the fastest a home can be foreclosed in Missouri?

After the federal rule that you be more than 120 days behind, Missouri only requires at least 20 days' notice before a trustee's sale (RSMo sections 443.310 and 443.325). That puts the earliest sale a little under 5 months after the first missed payment. Your deed of trust may require a demand letter with more time first.

How many times can a Missouri trustee's sale be postponed?

The trustee can continue the sale only once on its own, for up to 7 days, by announcing it at the sale (RSMo section 443.355). You and the lender can agree to more or longer continuances. Otherwise the trustee must start over with a new 20-day notice.

Does a judicial foreclosure in Missouri take longer?

It goes through the circuit court as a lawsuit, with a summons you must answer, so it usually takes longer than a trustee's sale. Missouri lenders rarely use it because a deed of trust with a power of sale lets them avoid court. Court timelines were not researched for this page, so ask legal aid if you are sued.

Step by step

More on foreclosure in Missouri

Understand the process

What is happening and how much time there is.

Weigh your options

What can stop it, and what happens if it goes ahead.

Get help now

Who to call, and what to do when a sale is scheduled.

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Sources for this page

  1. RSMo § 443.350, Foreign trustee must have Missouri cotrustee
  2. RSMo § 443.380, Recitals in trustee's deed prima facie evidence
  3. RSMo § 534.090, Serving of summons
  4. RSMo § 443.290, Mortgages and security agreements with power of sale
  5. RSMo § 443.300, Death of debtor, foreclosure stayed
  6. RSMo § 443.310, Sales, where made, number of days' notice
  7. RSMo § 443.320, Notice, contents, how published
  8. RSMo § 443.325, Individual notice of foreclosure sale
  9. RSMo § 443.327, Times and places of trustee's sale
  10. RSMo § 443.355, Continuance of sale without readvertisement
  11. RSMo § 443.360, Compensation of trustees
  12. RSMo § 443.370, Penalty for overcharging
  13. RSMo § 443.400, Redemption before sale
  14. RSMo § 443.410, Foreclosures by trustee's sale, redemption
  15. RSMo § 443.420, Notice of redemption, how given
  16. RSMo § 443.430, Motion for approval of bond for redemption
  17. RSMo § 443.440, Certificate of sale, deed on failure to redeem
  18. RSMo § 443.454, Enforcement and servicing of real estate loans, local law preempted
  19. RSMo § 443.190, Petition to foreclose (judicial foreclosure)
  20. RSMo § 534.030, Unlawful detainer defined, foreclosure notice to tenants
  21. RSMo § 534.070, Complaint and summons, court date
  22. RSMo § 534.210, Merits of title cannot be inquired into
  23. RSMo § 534.330, Judgment for complainant
  24. RSMo § 534.350, Execution, when issued
  25. RSMo § 407.935, Foreclosure consultants, definitions
  26. RSMo § 407.937, Right to cancel contract
  27. RSMo § 407.938, Contract form and required notices
  28. RSMo § 407.940, Foreclosure consultants, unlawful acts
  29. RSMo § 407.943, Action against foreclosure consultant
  30. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank v. Sunrise Farms Development, LLC, No. 13-1479 (Dec. 13, 2013), describing Missouri deficiency law and First Bank v. Fischer & Frichtel
  31. Missouri Legal Services: Home Foreclosures
  32. Missouri Legal Services: Steps You Can Take to Avoid Foreclosure
  33. The Missouri Bar: Steps You Can Take to Avoid Foreclosure (brochure)
  34. Missouri Legal Services: Applying for Legal Aid
  35. SAFHR for Homeowners (Missouri HAF program)
  36. MHDC: Resources for Homeowners
  37. U.S. Department of the Treasury: Homeowner Assistance Fund
  38. Missouri Attorney General: Consumer Protection
  39. Missouri Division of Finance: Consumer Complaints
  40. The Missouri Bar: LawyerSearch
  41. Missouri Free Legal Answers
  42. Missouri Department of Revenue: Property Tax Credit