A "hardship letter" to stop foreclosure is one of the first steps in the process of stopping foreclosure of your home. Yet, it may not be needed if you are experiencing a "short" period of time in which you will not be able to pay your mortgage on time.

If you know you are going to have a hard time paying your mortgage on time, for one or two months, it is essential that you contact your mortgage lender before you are late on your payment. Contacting your lender before you are late in paying the first time, and explaining the problem, may keep you from having to pay fees and penalties. You can also negotiate how to get your account up-to-date once the problem period is over for you.

If you know you will have a hard time paying your mortgage payment at it's current amount, over a longer period of time, a hardship letter to stop foreclosure may be required to stall the process of foreclosure of your home. Although, there will be additional steps and options to be taken to completely stop foreclosure.

A hardship letter to stop foreclosure should be addressed to your mortgage lender, and if you have a personal contact at the company, send it to that person. It should include exactly why you have fallen behind in your mortgage payments. The more personal details you include, the better. You should also include documents that prove the hardship. For instance, if you were ill for a period of time, include doctor bills. Copies of your checking account statements will also be helpful, as well as copies of monthly bills.

You should also ask for help from the mortgage company in possibly modifying your home loan so that you can afford to make the payments. The options available may depend on your mortgage company's policies regarding late mortgage payments.

A well written hardship letter to stop foreclosure is very important in the process of stopping foreclosure. If you have attempted to contact your mortgage lender to explain your circumstances, and have not received a positive response, you may wish to consider using an expert or professional company to stop the foreclosure process.