Get Help — American Default Research

Quick Assessment

Not sure where to start?

Four quick questions. We'll point you to the most relevant guides.

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Are you worried about keeping up with housing payments?

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Are bills or debts piling up?

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How are everyday costs affecting you?

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How secure do you feel about your income?

Foreclosure

Foreclosure Laws by State

How long do you have? What are your rights? Look up your state's foreclosure rules — timelines, protections, and free legal resources.

Facing Foreclosure?

Step-by-step guide to the process, your rights, and what to do right now.

Behind on Payments?

Missed a payment — or about to? Here's what to do before foreclosure starts. Forbearance, modification, and emergency programs.

Short Sales

Owe more than your home is worth? A short sale might be a better exit than foreclosure. How it works, what it costs you.

Debt & Bankruptcy

Should I File Bankruptcy?

It's a legal tool, not a moral failure. Chapter 7 vs. 13, the automatic stay, and when filing is the right call.

Dealing With Debt Collectors

They have rules. You have rights. What collectors can't do, how to dispute, and how to make them stop calling.

Tools & Worksheets

All Free Tools

Hardship letter generator, foreclosure timeline calculator, servicer report card, financial worksheet, and more.

Financial Exposure Check

A 6-question assessment that maps your household financial stress to the same five dimensions the ADI tracks.

Data & Research

Statistics & Data

The latest numbers on foreclosures, consumer debt, bankruptcy, and more. Every figure sourced and updated.

All 98 Indicators

The economic data behind the American Distress Index — savings, debt, housing costs, and labor markets.

Protect yourself from scams

People in financial distress are prime targets for fraud. Know these rules:

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Check before paying upfront for mortgage or debt relief. FTC rules generally bar covered mortgage-relief providers from collecting a fee before you accept a written offer from your lender or servicer, and bar covered telemarketed debt-relief services from collecting before they resolve at least one debt and you make a payment under the agreement. A lawyer may collect an advance fee for mortgage-relief services only under a narrow exception: the work must be part of the practice of law, the lawyer must be licensed to practice law in the state where the client or dwelling is located and follow that state's rules, and the money must stay in a compliant client trust account until earned or expenses are incurred. HUD-approved foreclosure-prevention counseling is free.

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HUD-approved foreclosure-prevention counseling is free. Call 1-800-569-4287 or visit the CFPB counselor finder. Be cautious if someone charges for services that a HUD-approved counselor provides for free; verify the provider and written terms.

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Never sign over your deed without an attorney. "Equity stripping" and "sale-leaseback" scams trick homeowners into transferring their title. You could lose your home permanently.

Report fraud: CFPB · FTC · your state attorney general's office.

Who made this

Ross Kilburn

I built American Default Research to track household financial distress with public data — and to make sure the people behind the numbers can find real help. Every guide on this site is written in plain English, sourced from federal agencies, and free to use. No ads, no paywalls, no data sold.

About this project · Our methodology

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If this affects you, we can help. Get a free action plan · Call (888) 602-4161 Find help near you · Browse the Glossary Prefer a nonprofit? HUD-approved housing counselors offer free foreclosure-prevention counseling (1-800-569-4287).

As of Jun 1, 2026