Millions of Americans are struggling with debt, even some elected officials. Last month, the mayor of a nearby Pennsylvania town was facing foreclosure after falling behind on her mortgage payments.

According to the news source, the Harrisburg mayor owed the bank around $900. However, the bank holding the mayor's mortgage withdrew a previous foreclosure filing after receiving the mayor's mortgage payment. The mayor said the late payment was a simple oversight.

The property in question is the mayor's childhood home. It is also where the mayor previously ran a mortgage counseling nonprofit called Loveship Inc.

In addition to the late mortgage payments, the mayor was reportedly behind on real estate taxes totaling more than $1,600. She has, however, paid the taxes.

A home is a sacred place for many families. When families face losing their home it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are legal options that individuals and families may want to explore in an effort to keep their home.

For some Pennsylvania residents, bankruptcy may be the best option. By filing for bankruptcy, families can reorganize their debt while protecting their home from foreclosure.

Families may find that a loan modification may be the best option. In some cases, a loan modification can be done in conjunction with a Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing.

In any case, working with an experienced bankruptcy attorney may be beneficial. An attorney can help individuals and families determine what the best option is for their specific situation, as well as put them on a path to a financially secure future.

Source: The Patriot-News, "Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson pays late taxes, mortgage payments," Eric Veronikis, Dec.14, 2011