NEWARK, N.J. — A homeowner fighting foreclosure can raise the defense that Wells Fargo Bank N.A. did not act in good faith in handling her mortgage-modification request, a state judge ruled on February 25.

Although homeowner Vicki Schultz might not be entitled a modification, Bergen County, N.J., Assignment Judge Peter Doyne wrote, "she does have the equitable right to be treated with fairness."