A sheriff’s deed is a deed that transfers or conveys title (ownership rights) in property purchased at a sheriff’s sale. A sheriff’s sale is typically ordered by a court after a person or entity fails to pay a court judgment against them (a judgment debtor) or when the property is the subject of a mortgage foreclosure.

Laws vary from state to state, but a debtor whose property is the subject of a mortgage foreclosure that was sold at a sheriff’s sale may have the right to redeem the property or the right to redemption of the property—paying the amount due and keeping the property—until confirmation of the sale is signed by the judge and filed by the court. This redemption period is usually defined by state statute and may be referred to as a statutory redemption period.

The lender (bank) that is foreclosing on the mortgage is often the high bidder that purchases the property at a sheriff’s sale. If another party is the high bidder at the sheriff’s sale, the lender (bank) may be able to get a deficiency judgment against the debtor (borrower or mortgagor) if the sale amount isn’t enough to pay the balance of the debt—depending on the state’s law.

In Connecticut, a sheriff's deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of a property sold at a sheriff's sale, which is typically the result of a court-ordered sale due to a failure to pay a court judgment or as part of a mortgage foreclosure process. Connecticut law provides a statutory right of redemption, which allows a debtor to reclaim their foreclosed property by paying the full amount due, including costs and interest, within a specific time frame. This right of redemption must be exercised before the court confirms the sale, which is when the judge signs and files the confirmation. If the property is sold for less than the amount owed on the mortgage, Connecticut allows for the lender to seek a deficiency judgment against the debtor for the remaining balance. However, the specifics of the process, including the length of the redemption period and the conditions under which a deficiency judgment may be obtained, are governed by state statutes and can be complex, often requiring the guidance of an attorney to navigate.