How do you write a hardship letter to a judge?
Asked by: Dr. Ansel West I | Last update: November 10, 2025Score: 5/5 (38 votes)
Keep your hardship letter brief and to the point: four paragraphs is ideal, and no more than two pages. Be sure to include: Homeowner name(s), address(s), and phone number(s) and relevant loan number(s). Relevant details about the loan or property, such as the number of months delinquent, property value, or equity.
What is an example of a good hardship letter?
Dear Harry Jones: I am writing this letter to request assistance with my personal loan during a time of financial hardship. Approximately two weeks ago, I was let go from my job due to company-wide layoffs. As a result, I have been unable to continue making regular payments on my loan.
How do I write a hardship letter to court?
- The date, your name, address and phone number.
- The lender/servicer and loan number.
- The date or approximate time frame when the hardship started.
- The expected timeframe of hardship — short term (six months or less) or long term.
- Describe your goal. ...
- State the facts, not emotions.
What is a proof of hardship letter?
A hardship letter is a document some lenders require when you're struggling with your mortgage payment and seeking relief. A hardship letter can help you qualify for loan reinstatement, forbearance, repayment plan, modification, a short sale, or a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
What not to put in a hardship letter?
When you write the hardship letter, don't include anything that would hurt your situation. Here are some examples of things you shouldn't say in the letter: Don't say that your situation is your lender's fault or that their employees are jerks. Don't state that things will likely turn around for you.
7 Signs You Hired A Bad Lawyer (and What You Can Do About It)
What qualifies for hardship?
Income and necessary living expenses: The IRS compares your income against allowable living expenses, which include housing, utilities, food, clothing, transportation and healthcare. If your income barely covers or falls short of these basic expenses, you may qualify for hardship status.
How long should a hardship letter be?
Keep your Hardship Letter brief and to the point: four paragraphs are ideal, and no more than two pages.
How do you get approved for a hardship?
How Do I Get Approved for a Hardship Loan? To get a hardship loan, you'll typically have to prove that you are in financial difficulty. You'll also have to meet the lender's specific requirements, which can include a credit score over a certain number.
What is considered a hardship case?
However, most courts recognize a hardship as having one or all of the following factors: A long-term negative financial impact on a party. Deprivation, suffering, or adversity for one or more parties. An unforeseeable emergency, such as a natural disaster.
How to demonstrate hardship?
This can include medical reports, financial documents, and letters of support from friends and family. Medical reports can be used to demonstrate the impact that the hardship is having on the individual or their family. This can include reports from doctors, psychologists, or other medical professionals.
How to write an extreme hardship letter?
- Keep it original. ...
- Be honest. ...
- Keep it concise. ...
- Don't cast blame or shirk responsibility. ...
- Don't use jargon or fancy words. ...
- Keep your objectives in mind. ...
- Provide the creditor an action plan. ...
- Talk to a Financial Counselor.
How do you plead hardship?
- Financial information detailing the ways in which you would struggle without your licence or job.
- Medical papers from the people you care for.
- Evidence and statements from your employer/fellow employees that detail reasons why your contribution to the business is essential.
What do the courts consider undue hardship?
"Undue hardship" is defined as an "action requiring significant difficulty or expense" when considered in light of a number of factors. These factors include the nature and cost of the accommodation in relation to the size, resources, nature, and structure of the employer's operation.
What is a good sentence for hardship?
Examples of hardship in a Sentence
He had suffered through considerable hardship. The city has been experiencing a period of financial hardship. They had to endure the hardships of life on the frontier.
What are examples of extreme hardship?
These factors include: economic disadvantage, loss of current employment, inability to maintain one's present standard of living, inability to pursue a chosen profession, separation from family members, severing community ties, cultural readjustment after living in the United States for many years, cultural adjustment ...
What is considered severe hardship?
A single person is in severe financial hardship if: their readily available funds are equal to or less than the specified limit (as set out below), AND. they CANNOT reasonably be expected to sell or borrow against assets (1.1. A.
What is proof of hardship?
Acceptable Documentation
Lost Employment. • Unemployment Compensation Statement. (Note: this satisfies the proof of income requirement as well.) • Termination/Furlough letter from Employer. • Pay stub from previous employer with.
What should not be included in a hardship letter?
According to the National Consumer Law Center (2007) there is no “right” way to write a hardship letter. It should avoid disparaging the servicer, the lender, the homeowner's employer, or any other party involved in the crisis.
What are conditions of hardship?
The decision maker only considers you to be in hardship if: You cannot meet your immediate and most basic essential needs or those of a child you are responsible for. For example: accommodation, heating, food and hygiene.
What is a good hardship letter?
The most critical component of your hardship letter is your request for financial assistance. As such, clearly specify exactly what it is you're seeking, such as a temporary pause in payments, a payment plan or a loan modification.
How long does a hardship take to get approved?
Once you submit your hardship withdrawal application, it will be reviewed. Generally this takes less than a day. However, if there are any questions about your application, additional review time may be needed. Typically, this further review takes 5-7 business days.
What is considered a hardship reason?
In general, you may be considered to have an immediate financial need for any of the following reasons: Medical expenses. Purchase of a principal residence. Expenses for certain repairs due to damage to your home. Post-secondary education costs.
What is a hardship notice?
Under section 72 of the National Credit Code, a debtor may give the credit provider notice, either verbally or in writing, of their inability to meet their obligations under a credit contract (a hardship notice).
What qualifies as financial hardship?
The IRS may agree that you have a financial hardship (economic hardship) if you can show that you cannot pay or can barely pay your basic living expenses.
What is a hardship waiver letter?
In essence, the hardship waiver serves as a mechanism to balance the enforcement of immigration laws with compassion for individuals facing genuine difficulties, allowing them to remain in the U.S. and avoid family separation under certain circumstances.