@Matthew, valid points although for purposes of this discussion , I think its safe to assume (yes...I know the danger in that) we are talking about California non judicial foreclosures which will always be a trustee sale and will not involve the courts in any way.

If he doesn't comply by such and such a date, you'll file a formal complaint with the governing agency and attorney general.

Deliver a formal investment proposal regarding your real estate opportunity to interested parties.

Do I have to have a formal $500k debt relationship with the contractor, and what would that look like?  

Missouri is a non-judicial state which means that the lender does not have to go to court to get permission to start the foreclosure process.

She wrote it up on a sheet of paper and said she'd write up a formal contract and get it to us the next day, which she did.  

I've been on BP website for about a month now and just yesterday realized I never formally posted in the "New Member Introductions".

Hello all,I suppose it's time to start a formal introduction.

I agree with what everyone is saying about school, you don’t need an expensive, fancy degree, but in the world we live in, unfortunately a degree (or some other kind of formal education such as a trade school) is a must, even for entrepreneurs.

So the formality of a hearing becomes necessary.