Boyo Jim in your own interests, you must respond before that date on the summons. Otherwise, like some others have said, you could lose your home by default.
We went down to the courthouse and wrote a brief handwritten letter to the judge asking for an extension, I think for time for a mediation to be set up, but it wasn’t a long explanation. In your case, if you want to, you can say something like your financial situation has changed. Talk to a lawyer first if you have time but if not just go ahead and do it.
It was free for us except for the fifteen cents it cost for a copy of the request which was date/time stamped by the clerk. And it was very, very legal. (Halted the process of foreclosure temporarily.) It’s expected. The bank knows this is just the first step in a long process.
I’m seeing my free lawyer again today at Legal Services. You must have an office like that in your area, some kind of legal aid. It is their job and they do help, direct, and file motions to protect you through this legal maze. They also go with you to any appearances.
Save every single thing from this point on…summons, letters from lawyers, copies of anything filed, notes jotted down, dates for different things…You’ll be getting a letter in the mail signed by the judge granting the extension. Save anything and everything.
It’s not a matter of calling up the bank and making nice. (Besides, you would want to get everything in writing anyway.) That nice lady you always talk to has no say in what is being done higher up. Let your free lawyer do the talking and tell you what to do.
Like I said, it’s a long process as long as you respond each time something comes up and don’t drop the ball. I don’t know if for you there will be a mediation or refinance or what, but you must dot all your "i"s and cross all your "t"s. Go to to your nearest free legal aid. Good luck and know that if you want to keep your home, this is the first step in that direction.