 TITLE: How Do I Get a Mortgage Forbearance? CONTENT: Who Can Get a Mortgage Forbearance?\n-----------------------------------\nWith the exception of emergency measures discussed below, mortgage forbearance is not a legal right. Lenders grant forbearance at their discretion. Before doing so, they will expect you to provide evidence that you'll be able to hold up your end of the deal. The specifics each lender requires may vary, but they'll likely seek much of the same information they required when considering your original mortgage application, such as:\n*   Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns and so on)\n*   Monthly expenses, including all debt payments (for purposes of calculating your debt-to-income ratio)\n*   A list of any assets (savings accounts, investments) you could tap to cover your expenses\nYour lender may refer to your credit score when considering your request for mortgage forbearance. As a creditor with whom you have an ongoing relationship, your mortgage issuer is legally authorized to monitor your credit score as a matter of course. So in this case, a formal credit check (and accompanying hard inquiry, which can temporarily lower your credit score) may not be necessary. A higher credit score will likely be taken as a sign of good debt management skills, and typically works in favor of a forbearance request.\nBecause mortgage forbearance is designed to provide temporary payment relief, the lender will also want an explanation of your current hardship and when you expect it to end.\nIt will help your case considerably if you can point to a firm milestone several weeks or months ahead that will enable you to resume your regular payments (and repay your excused payments): Documenting a forthcoming tax refund, resumption of seasonal work, disposition of an inheritance, sale of a property or any other event that can be expected to improve your cash flow will work in your favor.\nIf your hardship is more open-ended, be straightforward with your lender about when you can reasonably expect to resume regular payments. If it's unrealistic to expect to be back on track with regular payments within 12 months, consider seeking a permanent mortgage modification instead of a forbearance.\nForbearance and repayment are typically less costly over time than mortgage modification, but if a modification becomes necessary to structure your repayments at the end of your forbearance period, you could pay more in the long run than if you'd skipped forbearance and sought a modification to begin with. END