Can I File for Bankruptcy to Stop Foreclosure?

Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy triggers an "automatic stay" that immediately halts foreclosure proceedings, giving you time and a court-supervised plan to catch up on missed payments over 3–5 years while keeping the home.

A Serious Tool, Not a First Choice

Chapter 7 provides a shorter automatic stay (a lender can often get it lifted) and doesn't offer the same repayment structure, so it's less commonly used specifically to save a home. Bankruptcy is a serious, long-term financial decision with real credit consequences of its own — it's a legitimate emergency brake, not a first-choice tool, and it's worth discussing with a bankruptcy attorney specifically before filing.