in the United States, foreclosure numbers have risen consistently with the declining national economy. With this recent rise in foreclosure numbers, the subject of foreclosure has become a much more significant issue in courts. It remains clear that foreclosure holds quite a negative impact on both parties involved - the homeowner and the lender. By law, the mortgage holder has the right to initiate foreclosure when the borrower, or in this case the homeowner, has defaulted. This is necessary in the way of protection for the lender, who has taken a significant risk in financing the home. However, the homeowner, who would be losing his home in a foreclosure, is also given rights during the foreclosure process. More specifically, the law gives protection from wrongful foreclosure, which can occur when the the lender has unlawfully been given a foreclosure, for various reasons.