First Week As A Surviving Spouse
What if I can't afford the mortgage on my own?
Short answer
Contact the lender's loss mitigation department. Options may include loan modification, refinancing, a forbearance period, or a short sale if the home is underwater. Do not stop making payments without a written agreement from the lender — foreclosure can begin in as…
What this usually means
Contact the lender's loss mitigation department. Options may include loan modification, refinancing, a forbearance period, or a short sale if the home is underwater. Do not stop making payments without a written agreement from the lender — foreclosure can begin in as few as 90 days of missed payments in California.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.