A lot of people are confused, or do not know what hardships to include in a hardship letter or whether they even suffered a hardship. You may have suffered one without even realizing it. Talk with your spouse, business associates, lawyer, or accountant, and make a list of all applicable hardships. Reconstruct the series of events which, together, have left you in the financial situation you are currently in. Read this article on Financial Hardship and Your Mortgage for a more in-depth description of Hardships.

Common Types of Hardship

There are certain common hardships that lenders have accepted as valid reasons to approve a loan modification application. Some of the most common are listed below, but the list is by no means comprehensive. Your hardship may be one of those listed, but it may not. Or you may have suffered multiple hardships. Describe all of your hardships truthfully and in detail in your hardship letter.

Payment shock. Your mortgage payment went up. You never realized that your payments would adjust to the amount that they have reached. Or you could not reasonably foresee the catastrophic economic effects of the mortgage crisis on the economy: that your home value would fall so much, eliminating the possibility of refinance, and that you would lose so much income as a direct result of the severe economic depression in your business community due to the real estate collapse and its far-reaching effects on lending, liquidity, and commerce generally.

Job loss, work cutbacks, or pay reductions. Be sure to include your spouse and any person who normally contributes to your monthly household income. Review your pay stubs and hours worked. Gather any and all memos or notices received from your employer or employers. Carefully note income declines over the last two to three years and the events which caused the declines.

Underemployment. Underemployment occurs when your new job pays less than your old one. For example, you once had your own auto dealership, but you now work part-time at Wal-Mart and 7-11, and your wife babysits in your home. With underemployment, you have the ability to pay but an amount that is less than your normal mortgage payment. That’s all your lender needs; proof of income reasonably likely to sustain a regular monthly payment of a lower dollar amount. In this situation, your lender is likely better off modifying than foreclosing.

Declining business or sales revenue. This type of hardship applies if your income has decreased and you own your own business; are self-employed; work for commissions, bonuses, or tips; or earn income in any way other than as a company employee receiving a regular paycheck.

Illness or injury. Cancer, a heart attack, suicide, stroke, increased symptoms of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other illnesses can constitute a hardship.

Divorce or separation. Divorce is a financial wipeout. If you went through a divorce or separated from your spouse, you have definitely experienced financial hardship. (See Avoiding Foreclosure During Divorce for related information and tips.)

Disaster. This includes fires, auto accidents, floods, or any act of God, whether insured, uninsured, or partially insured. These are setbacks to your cash flow and are valid hardships.

Incarceration or other legal problems. If you or your spouse, child, or loved one was imprisoned or involved in costly criminal or civil litigation, the financial effect is often extreme. This is a valid hardship.

When to Seek Legal Counsel: There are many legal options available for people who are struggling with a hefty mortgage, credit card debt, medical bills, etc. Whether it’s foreclosure defense, debt settlement, or another financial solution, you may want to seek the help of an attorney for advice and various legal strategies for dealing with your financial situation. Another thing to consider is filing for bankruptcy. Check out our section on bankruptcy and foreclosure to find out more.

2 comments on “What Is a Hardship Letter, And What Should You Include In It? Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Hardships
  1. Leila says:

    If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage, you should always, always, always contact your lender immediately. They actually do want to help, despite popular belief. They don’t want you to have to foreclosure on your house. They have to deal with the expenses and time to do a short-sale, and they end up losing money.

  2. Ronnie says:

    I wouldn’t say they necessarily “care about helping YOU,” but rather care about helping themselves, which is why they try to work with you when you can’t pay your mortgage. Either way, it doesn’t matter the reason that they’re willing to help you, the point is that it benefits you either way. Definitely be sure to talk to your lender if you’re having money troubles.

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