One mother recently lost her family in a plane crash and now stands to lose the home which she raised them in. The mother's three children and ex-husband were involved in the fatal plane crash in November. The divorce between the mother and her husband devastated her financially and she was no longer able to pay her bills. This is what led to the foreclosure filing against her, which is another painful blow during this emotionally charged time.

"I wanted to stay in the house because it's hard on kids with special needs," the mother said of her fight for the house during the divorce. "Now, of course, I really wish I could have stayed in it because that's where all my memories are."

The mother is not optimistic about her chances of saving her home. Her expenses piled up after the death of her family because she had to pay her husband's divorce attorneys and pay for the funerals. In response to the mother's dramatic loss and financial difficulties, several charities and community groups have come to her side. Fundraisers are being organized and one singer-songwriter is even donating proceedings from song sales to help the mother in her time of need.

Many Illinois residents find themselves in similar financially challenging situations. Often these individuals find that declaring bankruptcy is the best way to save their home and provide stability to their families. Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy automatically halts foreclosure proceedings. This pause is valuable to many individuals because it allows time to renegotiate the mortgage debt. Bankruptcy may not be the best solution in every situation however, which is why it is important to talk to an experienced bankruptcy attorney and go over your options.

Source: Huffington Post, "Karen Perry, Arizona Mom Who Lost 3 Kids In Crash And Faces Foreclosure, Gets Help From Donors," Eleanor Goldberg, Feb. 3, 2012