Hypotheca – From Latin: in Real Estate Law the term details a mortgage established on the debtor’s assets with the legal role to secure the rights of the creditor until full repayment, where the debtor still have the possession of the property. But in case of continuous non-repayment of the debt, then the creditor is entitled to take the mortgaged real estate on public auction in order to collect the debt. When you buy a real estate, it is advisable in advance to ask a lawyer to check the legal status of the real estate for non-presence of any hypothecs or other legal burdens (registered court claims, etc.)