New data released this month places Texas at the top of the nation for completed home foreclosures, a trend that is particularly evident in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The mid-year foreclosure report from ATTOM, published on July 16, 2026, counted 227,548 properties nationwide with foreclosure filings in the first six months of the year, up 21 percent from 2025. Completed foreclosures rose even faster, with lenders taking back 27,983 properties nationally, a 33 percent increase. Texas led all states with 3,322 completed foreclosures.
At the same time, bankruptcy filings have climbed, reaching 591,850 for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Chapter 13 filings, which are often used to save a home, rose 8 percent in the first quarter. This surge in foreclosure and bankruptcy activity has prompted Leinart Law Firm, a Dallas-based practice, to educate homeowners about the urgency of their situation.
Marcus Leinart, founder and managing attorney of Leinart Law Firm and a Dallas bankruptcy lawyer with over 20 years of experience, notes that most homeowners contact his office only after a sale date has already been posted. He emphasizes that in Texas, the timeline from notice to sale can be surprisingly short. Texas uses a nonjudicial foreclosure process governed by Chapter 51 of the Texas Property Code. A servicer must give a homestead owner 20 days to cure the default, followed by 21 days' notice before the sale, which is held on the first Tuesday of the month at the county courthouse. This means a homeowner can move from notice to sale in roughly six weeks, with no lawsuit filed and no judge reviewing the case.
The automatic stay, which takes effect the moment a bankruptcy case is filed, can stop a foreclosure sale, even one scheduled for the following Tuesday. Chapter 13 bankruptcy then allows a homeowner to repay past-due amounts over three to five years. The Texas homestead exemption carries no limit on value, so qualifying homeowners generally keep their home.
"People call us on a Monday about a sale scheduled for the next morning, and sometimes we can still help them," said Marcus Leinart. "But the options are much better six weeks earlier. What homeowners in Texas often don't realize is how little has to happen before a house is sold. There's no courtroom, no hearing, no judge. A filing stops the sale immediately, and Chapter 13 gives a family a structured way to catch up while staying in the home."
The implications of these numbers are significant for Dallas-Fort Worth residents. With Texas leading the nation in completed foreclosures, many families are at risk of losing their homes without fully understanding their legal options. The data underscores the importance of acting quickly when facing financial hardship. For those who are concerned about foreclosure, consulting with a knowledgeable attorney early can make a critical difference.
Leinart Law Firm, which has been serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2005, has filed thousands of bankruptcy cases. The firm guides clients through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, creditor negotiations, and the court process, helping them protect as much of their property as Texas law allows. The firm is currently accepting new clients from its offices in Dallas and Fort Worth, and residents who want to understand their options when facing a foreclosure are welcome to schedule a consultation.
