Are you having difficulty paying your mortgage payments? If so, you may be one of the millions of Americans whose incomes have been affected by a sudden job loss, a layoff, a disability, a workplace injury, an accident or illness. Often, such life-altering circumstances make it so people can no longer afford their monthly mortgage payment, putting them at risk of foreclosure.

If you have received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them in regards to your late payments, it's important that you:

• Do not ignore their letters
• Contact a real estate attorney immediately
• Determine whether you or your lawyer will contact the lender

1. Do not act like the problem doesn't exist.
You cannot ignore the problem. The further behind you get, the harder it will be for you to reinstate your loan and the higher the chances you'll lose your home.

2. Be proactive about the situation.
Contact a real estate attorney as soon as you realize that you have a problem. An attorney can explain your options and search for a solution that will allow you to keep your home.

3. Don't ignore your lender.
When you contact your lawyer, decide how and when your lender will be contacted about the problem; sooner is better. Remember, the lender does not want to foreclose on your house, they would prefer to find a solution during this difficult time.

4. Don't toss your lender's mail.
The first notice you receive in the mail should explain your foreclosure prevention options. After that first letter, you will receive legal notices about pending legal actions being taken against you. If you toss the mail in the trash or never open it, you won't be able to use that as an excuse in foreclosure court.

5. Reevaluate your spending habits.

After food, your home should be your first financial priority. Review your finances and see where you can cut spending so you can pay the mortgage. Look for unnecessary expenses, such as a daily cup of coffee from Starbucks, cable TV, gym memberships, entertainment, and dining out that can be eliminated.

Whatever you do, don't lose your house to a foreclosure recovery scam! Instead, contact a reputable real estate lawyer for professional foreclosure advice.