UPDATE: LANSING - With Michigan's economy in a recession, foreclosures have become all too common.

"I get it all the time. My practice is primarily in the bankruptcy area and you file bankruptcy a lot of times to discharge the debt as a result of your home being sold," said Gene Turnwald, attorney in Okemos.

Turnwald has been in the business for 20 years and says the average foreclosure takes about 13 months.

"In Michigan, generally speaking if your approximately 4 months behind on your payments the bank starts the foreclosure process by sending a notice saying hey a law firm, gets a hold of you and say hey we're gonna take your property away from you," said Turnwald.

Turnwald also says if you apply for a mortgage modification that will delay the foreclosure process.

"It will take approximately another 90 days for them to evaluate to see if they can modify the loan on your house or not," said Turnwald.

But there's no guarantee with modifications.

"I do get a lot of people who go through the modification process, some of them in for the year or two and some of them get rejected. The problem is the mortgage modification is strictly voluntary on behalf of the mortgage company. They don't have to modify your loan. And apparently a lot of times they change their mind," said Turnwald.

Turnwald believes the state has bottomed out, but it will take many years before we see a reduction in the amount of foreclosed homes in Michigan.



ORIGINAL STORY: LANSING - Watch InnerView to find out all you need to know about foreclosed homes.