Section 408 Of Chapter 7.5. Protections From California Military And Veterans Code >> Division 2. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 7.5.
408
. (a) This section shall apply only to obligations secured by
mortgage, trust deed, or other security in the nature of a mortgage
upon real or personal property owned by a service member at the
commencement of the period of the military service and still so owned
by the service member whose obligations originated prior to the
person's period of military service.
(b) In any proceeding commenced in any court during the period of
military service to enforce that obligation as provided in
subdivision (a) arising out of nonpayment of any sum due or out of
any other breach of the terms of the mortgage, trust deed, or other
security occurring prior to or during the period of the service the
court may, after hearing and in its discretion on its own motion, and
shall, on application to it by the service member or some person on
the defendant's behalf, unless in the opinion of the court the
ability of the defendant to comply with the terms of the obligation
is not materially affected by reason of the defendant's military
service, do either of the following:
(1) Stay the proceedings for any period as the court deems just.
(2) Make any other disposition of the case as may be equitable to
conserve the interests of all parties.
(c) No sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property for nonpayment of
any sum due under any obligation as provided in subdivision (a), or
for any other breach of the terms thereof, whether under a power of
sale, under a judgment entered upon warrant of attorney to confess
judgment contained therein, or otherwise, shall be valid if made
during the period of military service or within nine months
thereafter, except pursuant to an agreement between the parties,
unless upon an order previously granted by the court and a return
thereto made and approved by the court.
(d) Any person violating this section shall be liable for actual
damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs incurred by the
injured party.
(e) Any person who shall knowingly make or cause to be made any
sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property, defined as invalid by
subdivision (c), or attempts to do so, is guilty of a misdemeanor,
and shall be punishable by imprisonment not to exceed one year or by
a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.