Most Fort Worth foreclosures are non-judicial under Texas Property Code §51.002. The notice of sale must be filed with the Tarrant County Clerk at least 21 days before the sale, which is held on the first Tuesday at the base of the courthouse steps, west side, 100 West Weatherford Street. Free counselors and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas can help.
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A foreclosure notice can make it hard to think about anything else. That is a normal reaction. Take this one step at a time; there is usually still room to act before a Tarrant County sale date.
Most Fort Worth homes are secured by a deed of trust with a "power of sale." That lets a trustee sell the home at auction without a lawsuit. Our guide to judicial vs. non-judicial foreclosure explains the difference.
First, the servicer must send a notice of default by certified mail and give you at least 20 days to cure before it can give notice of sale (Tex. Prop. Code §51.002(d)). Federal rules also usually keep the first foreclosure notice or filing from happening until you are more than 120 days behind (12 C.F.R. §1024.41(f)).
Most of Fort Worth is in Tarrant County, and the city reaches into Denton County as well. Some nearby areas with Fort Worth mailing addresses sit in other counties too. The sale happens in the county where the home is located, so check which county your property tax bill names. Statewide rules are on our Texas foreclosure help page.
The Tarrant County Clerk says sales take place on the first Tuesday of every month "at the base of the courthouse steps on the west side of the building located at 100 West Weatherford Street in downtown Fort Worth."
Texas law requires the sale to be held between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and to begin at the time in the notice or within three hours after it (§51.002(a), (c)). Your own notice lists the earliest time your home can be sold.
A scheduled sale is not certain. Many posted Fort Worth homes are pulled from the auction because the owner caught up, the servicer postponed, or the home was sold first.
Notices must be posted 21 days before the first Tuesday (§51.002(b)). The Tarrant County Clerk gives you three ways to see them:
The Clerk charges $1 per page for copies. You can reach the office at 817-884-1111.
When you find your notice, write down the sale date, the earliest start time, and the substitute trustee. The trustee runs the sale. Your servicer decides on a payment plan or loan change. If you are unsure what the notice means, our guide to the notice of trustee sale walks through each part.
Posted notices attract letters from people promising to "save" your home for a fee. Legitimate counselors do not charge upfront. See foreclosure scams to avoid.
HUD's list shows two Fort Worth agencies that offer mortgage delinquency and default resolution counseling:
You can also call HUD at 1-800-569-4287 to find another approved agency, including ones that work by phone. A counselor can help you gather documents and send a complete application to your servicer.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas has a Fort Worth office at 600 East Weatherford Street that serves Tarrant and nearby counties (Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, and Somervell). Call 817-336-3943 or the Legal Aid Line at 1-888-529-5277. Its housing page lists foreclosure prevention, including tax-related cases. Legal help matters most if you think the servicer made an error, you have a home equity loan, or you received court papers.
| Step | Typical timing | Rule or source |
|---|---|---|
| Early missed payments | Servicer generally cannot start foreclosure until you are 120+ days behind | 12 C.F.R. §1024.41(f) |
| Notice of default | At least 20 days to cure | Tex. Prop. Code §51.002(d) |
| Complete loss mitigation application | Send more than 37 days before the sale for full protection | 12 C.F.R. §1024.41(g) |
| Notice of sale filed, posted, and mailed | At least 21 days before the sale | §51.002(b); Tarrant County Clerk |
| Auction, west courthouse steps | First Tuesday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | §51.002(a); Tarrant County Clerk |
| After the sale | Buyer must give notice to vacate and file an eviction case | Tex. Prop. Code ch. 24 |
Notice that the 37-day federal deadline lands before the 21-day posting. Many owners only react once the notice is posted. Do not wait for that.
Sources (checked 2026-09-26):
The Tarrant County Clerk says sales take place at the base of the courthouse steps on the west side of the building at 100 West Weatherford Street in downtown Fort Worth. They happen on the first Tuesday of every month.
Search the Tarrant County Official Record Search website, or use the public computers in Rooms B-20 and B-30 of the Old Courthouse. Notices must be posted at least 21 days before the sale.
The early stage usually lasts at least 120 days because of federal rules. After the 20-day cure notice and the 21-day sale notice, the final stage can take only a few weeks. Starting early gives you the most options.
Then the notice is filed with the Denton County Clerk and the sale happens in Denton County, not Tarrant. The same Texas timeline under Property Code §51.002 applies.
Yes. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas has a Fort Worth office that serves Tarrant County and lists foreclosure prevention among its services. Eligibility depends on income and other factors, so call to apply.
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