“The law protects active service members, but you have to sign the order yourself,” Captain Miller said.

“What kind of authority does this petition actually carry?”

“It puts an immediate federal stay on the property based on your active duty status,” Miller said.

“It freezes every deed transfer, home equity loan and title change filed against the Birch Street property on the spot.”

“Does it need a court hearing in front of a judge first?”

“No, it doesn’t,” Miller said.

“The stay becomes legally binding the minute the county court clerk stamps the intake receipt.”