Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
HEMAP Help Center
(Separate Website)
The HEMAP Help Center is a website designed to help you complete your application to the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP), a program that provides financial assistance to qualified Pennsylvania homeowners who are in danger of losing their houses through foreclosure. It offers free step-by-step guidance through the entire HEMAP application, including expert feedback on your Circumstances Description - the most important part of your HEMAP application.
By: Regional Housing Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Petition to Waive Court Costs
Click the document title to be linked to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a Petition to Waive Court Fees which can be used to ask the Pennsylvania Court for permission to file legal papers for free. This form can be used in most types of court cases in Pennsylvania. Approval to waive fees is not automatic. You will need to ask the Court to approve your Petition. Instructions will be included. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form; you will need to answer questions while connected to the Internet.
IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Motion to Postpone Sheriff Sale
This program helps homeowners in some counties in Pennsylvania to prepare a Motion to Postpone Sheriffs Sale, if their house has been scheduled to be sold following a mortgage foreclosure case. The program can be used in these PA counties: Bradford, Clinton, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union and Wyoming.
The program will ask you a series of questions about your foreclosure situation and then create a motion based on your answers. The form can then be printed and filed in your local court. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form.
IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word as your word processor.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Preventing Foreclosure Information on preventing the foreclosure of your house
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Introducing the HEMAP Help Center
(Separate Website)
Description of the the HEMAP Help Center at www.hemap.org developed by Regional Housing Legal Services to assist Pennsylvanians who are in danger of losing their homes through no fault of their own.
By: Regional Housing Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Avoiding Foreclosure: How to Reduce the Risk of Losing Your Home Brochure from Regional Housing Legal Services explaining the operation of the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Help Center.
By: Regional Housing Legal Services
Mortgage Foreclosure: Your Legal Rights
(Separate Website)
Answers to frequently asked questions about Mortgage Foreclosure.
By: Community Legal Services
Mortgage Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights in a mortgage foreclosure.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Preventing Mortgage Foreclosure
Many homeowners face difficulties paying their mortgage. Job loss, change in income, and adjustments to interest rates can lead to falling behind on payments. This brochure will give you some tips about what to do when you fall behind on your mortgage payments, what resources are available, and who can help you.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Avoiding Mortgage Foreclosure (Audio-MP3)
(Separate Website)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA. 3/13/08 - Information on avoiding mortgage foreclosure in Pennsylvania, alternative approaches, Applications to HEMAP (Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program) and details on the Act 91 Notice. Host - Vince Brocki, NWLS Resource Developer; Guests Angela Amicangelo, Esq., NWLS Staff Attorney.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Mortgage Foreclosure Process (Audio-MP3)
(Separate Website)
1/10/2008 - An overview of issues surrounding mortgage foreclosure in Pennsylvania, avoiding adjustable rate mortgages and unscrupulous lending practices, what is the legal process, applying for Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program(HEMAP), what happens if HEMAP is denied, and information on possibly bankruptcy remedies, how to get legal help. Host - Robert A. Oakley, Esq., NWLS Executive Director; Guest - Angela Amicangelo, Esq., NWLS Staff Attorney.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Avoiding Predatory Lending Practices (Video)
Three-part excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
Avoiding Predatory Lending Practices in Pennsylvania, with Dave Pesch, Housing Counseling Programs Manager at St. Martin's Center in Erie, PA and Maggie Schuetz, Staff Attorney with Community Justice Project, Pittsburgh, PA. Recorded February 14, 2008.
Part 1 - What is Predatory Lending. What help is available, details on over-appraisals, property flipping, avoiding variable rate, and details on the newly structured Western PA Mortgage Fraud Task Force. (9:58)
Part 2 - Identifying Poor Lending Practices. Tips on what to avoid. (6:09)
Part 3 - How to Protect Yourself from Predatory Lending. Recommended proactive steps, housing counseling is available, where to get help. (10:59)
Click on the title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Information on HEMAP and Other Pennsylvania Programs
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)
(Separate Website)
Information on the Homeowners? Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP). This is a unique loan program designed to protect citizens who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Frequently Asked Questions about the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Loan Program
(Separate Website)
Questions and answers about the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Loan Program from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program Counseling Agencies
(Separate Website)
Listing of Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Counseling Agencies. Counseling agencies prepare applications and forward information to PHFA for processing.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
REfinance to an Affordable Loan (REAL) Program
(Separate Website)
Is your adjustable rate or interest-only mortgage about to explode? Are you at risk of losing your home unless you can refinance to more affordable terms? If so, the REAL program may be your answer!
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Initiative
(Separate Website)
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has established this program to help interested homeowners to save their homes. Free counseling sessions are offered involving a reasonable analysis of the borrower's financial situation, an evaluation of the current value of the property involved, and/or counseling regarding the possible purchase of the mortgage in question.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Additional Foreclosure Prevention Information
(Separate Website)
Advice from the PA Housing Finance Agency on dealing with a pending foreclosure.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Mortgage Refinance Options
(Separate Website)
Information on the REfinance to an Affordable Loan Program (REAL) and Homeowners' Equity Recovery Opportunity Loan Program (HERO) available from the PA Housing Finance Agency.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Information on Federal Making Home Affordable Programs
Making Home Affordable.gov
(Separate Website)
This website provides homeowners with detailed information about the Home Affordable Refinance Program and the Home Affordable Modification Program, along with self-assessment tools and calculators to empower borrowers with the resources they need to determine whether they might be eligible for a modification or a refinance under the Obama Administration's program. Through this website, borrowers can also connect with free counseling resources and access other useful tools and information.
By: U.S. Government
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Making Home Affordable (Video)
(Separate Website)
Video about the Making Home Affordable program of the U.S. Government. For more information on the Making Home Affordable program, and to see if you quality, visit http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov or contact the Homeowners HOPE? Hotline at (888) 995-HOPE.
By: U.S. Department of Treasury
Home Affordable Modification Program
(Separate Website)
If you can no longer afford to make your monthly loan payments, you may qualify for a loan modification under this program to make your monthly mortgage payment more affordable. Millions of borrowers who are current, but having difficulty making their payments and borrowers who have already missed one or more payments may be eligible.
By: Making Home Affordable.gov
Home Affordable Refinance Program
(Separate Website)
If you are a homeowner who is current on your mortgage payments but unable to refinance to a lower interest rate because your home value has decreased, you may be able to refinance under this program.
By: Making Home Affordable.gov
Asked and Answered : Questions from Homeowners Like You
(Separate Website)
Read responses to questions from homeowners like you.
By: Making Home Affordable.gov
Borrower Frequently Asked Questions
(Separate Website)
FAQ on the Making Home Affordable Program which offers two different potential solutions for borrowers: (1) refinancing mortgage loans, through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), and (2) modifying mortgage loans, through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).
By: Making Home Affordable.gov
Contact Your Mortgage Servicer
(Separate Website)
Once you have determined if you are eligible for a Home Affordable Refinance or Modification, the next step is to contact your mortgage servicer to discuss your situation. Here is a list of servicers who have agreed to participate in the Home Affordable Modification program.
By: Making Home Affordable.gov
Modification Evaluator
(Separate Website)
This tool will calculate a mortgage payment guideline amount based upon your current financial situation.
By: Making Home Affordable.gov
Payment Reduction Estimator
(Separate Website)
This Payment Reduction Estimator will determine what your current mortgage debt-to-income is and how much your monthly payment may be reduced if you qualify.
By: Making Home Affordable.gov
Understanding your Mortgage Statement
(Separate Website)
Mortgage statements come in many different forms. However, most contain similar terms and information. Some commonly used terms and their definitions are explained to help you better understand your mortgage statement.
By: Making Home Affordable.gov
Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
This website is designed to educate individuals on the many ways HUD can assist them in trying to hold on to their homes.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to Avoid Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
This booklet explains how property owners can avoid losing their homes because of delinquent payments.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Avoid Foreclosure: Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Listing of resources for Pennsylvanians facing foreclosure.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues, and reverse mortgages. A list of agencies in Pennsylvania is provided here.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Tips from HUD on how to avoid foreclosure of your home.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Ten Tips to Avoid Foreclosure (Video)
Ten tips from HUD and FHA about how to avoid foreclosure.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
You Can Avoid Foreclosure and Keep Your Home
(Separate Website)
Losing a home can be financially and personally devastating. Here's information to help you keep your home. Relief may be available.
By: Federal Housing Administration
Mortgage Payments Sending You Reeling? Here's What to Do
(Separate Website)
Inforamtion from the Federal Trade Commission about how to help save your home, and how to recognize and avoid foreclosure scams.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Money Matters - Your Home
(Separate Website)
Special FTC website focusing on Mortgage Foreclosure and foreclosure rescue scams.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Real People, Real Stories: Avoid Foreclosure Rescue Scams (Video)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, produced this video "Real People, Real Stories" to encourage homeowners to get the help they need.
By: Federal Trade Commission
How to Manage Your Mortgage If Your Lender Closes or Files for Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Fact sheet for consumers describing what to do if their mortgage company or mortgage servicing company closes or files for bankruptcy.
By: Federal Trade Commission
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PALawHELP.org is provided as a public service by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation.
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