If you’re worried about losing your home, there are no fewer than five places you can turn to for help.

Every lender has a loss mitigation department that does nothing but work with borrowers in trouble.

Reputable credit counselors and attorneys, state and national foreclosure prevention programs, can be smart, supportive allies.

We aren’t going to kid you. Refinancing or restructuring your mortgage won’t be easy.

But if foreclosure and eviction are the alternative, can you afford to do nothing?

It only takes three missed payments to default on most home loans, allowing lenders to demand immediate repayment of the outstanding balance and begin the foreclosure process.

Don’t let it go that far.

Here’s where to turn right now:

CREDIT COUNSELING: Have an expert evaluate your finances, recommend a realistic plan to avoid foreclosure, and help bargain with your lender.

We recommend a member of The National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the nation’s biggest and oldest credit-counseling organization.

You’ll pay little or nothing for this help, and its 120 member agencies abide by a set of professional and ethical standards that have served many individuals and families very well over the past 50 years.

Click here to to find a credit counselor in your area.

THE HOPE NOW ALLIANCE: This is the mortgage industry group that negotiated a rate freeze plan with President Bush in late 2007.

Qualifying homeowners may be able to keep the initial interest rate on their adjustable-rate mortgages for as long as five years, or refinance into an affordable fixed-rate mortgage.

The problem is that the eligibility requirements are so strict only about 118,000 of the 3.7 million homeowners with subprime adjustable-rate mortgages will be able to qualify, according to a new study by the Center for Responsible Lending, a consumer group based in Washington, D.C.

But if you’re one of the lucky few, it’s a great solution. Click here to learn more about the Hope Alliance’s rate freeze and refinancing program.

STATE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROGRAMS: Twelve states have created opportunities to help homeowners, primarily low- to middle-income families with subprime loans, save their homes

Most allow borrowers to refinance into fixed-rate mortgages with lower payments. Two provide the money homeowners need to catch up with missed payments and keep their existing loan.

Click here for a complete list of state foreclosure prevention programs, including how they work and where to apply.

YOUR BANK OR MORTGAGE SERVICE COMPANY: At some point you, or someone who represents you such as a credit counselor or attorney, will have to call your lender.

Virtually every bank and mortgage service company — that’s a firm that sends out bills and collects payments for the investors who actually own your loan — has a loss mitigation department that does nothing but work with borrowers in trouble.

We can tell you what to ask for — and what to expect. Ideally your bank or mortgage company will agree to a loan modification, which will change the terms of your mortgage to allow you to make smaller monthly payments.

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to negotiate with your mortgage company.

A BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY: This is your last-ditch option because bankruptcy law isn’t on your side. Judges can’t force lenders to refinance or modify your loan. But a Chapter 13 filing will:

Temporarily stop foreclosure proceedings while your case is in court.

Give you time to catch up on late mortgage payments.

Write down other debts so that you’ll have more money available to spend on your mortgage.

Here are five questions that will help you decide: Is bankruptcy a way to save my home?

If it is, we’ll tell you how to find a local attorney that specializes in bankruptcy cases.

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