Free tool
Which letter did I get?
Foreclosure papers come with confusing names, and the same paper is called something different in each state. Tell us who sent it or type a few words from the top, and we will point you to the page that explains it.
Reviewed October 13, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Choose who sent the paper, or type a few words from the top of it. The letters that match will show here.
Three things to check on any foreclosure paper
The date. Most deadlines count from the date on the paper, the date it was mailed or the date it was handed to you. Write down the day you got it and keep the envelope.
Who it is from. Your servicer, a law firm, a trustee and a court each mean the process is at a different stage. A case number means there is a lawsuit, and a lawsuit has a deadline to answer.
Any date in the future. A sale date, a hearing date or a “pay by” date is the one to act on first. Put it into the deadline calculator to see what you can still do before it.
Common questions
The paper has no title. How do I tell what it is?
Start with who sent it. A paper with a court name and a case number at the top is a court paper. A paper from a trustee or one stamped by the county recorder is part of a foreclosure without a lawsuit. A letter on your mortgage company's letterhead is from your servicer. Then look for the first bold line or the line after "RE:" and type those words.
Why does my letter have a different name than the one on this site?
Each state uses its own names. A notice of default in one state is a notice of intent to foreclose, a breach letter or an Act 91 notice in another. Choose your state and the finder shows the names used there.
I got a letter from a company I have never heard of. Is it real?
It may be a new servicer, a debt collector or a law firm hired by your lender. It may also be a solicitation or a scam. Do not pay anyone who asks for money up front to stop a foreclosure. Call your servicer at the number on your mortgage statement to check, and read the scam page on this site.
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