By Charlotte GAUCHON
28 March 2025
Financial difficulties can strike anyone. An accident, redundancy or divorce can make it impossible to repay a mortgage. Fortunately, the law provides a number of mechanisms to help borrowers in difficulty. These schemes help to avoid spiralling debt and give a second chance to individuals facing temporary or longer-term problems. Understanding these solutions is essential if you are to react effectively. Periods of grace granted by the judge The first recourse for a borrower experiencing temporary difficulties is to apply to the judge for a period of grace. Article L. 314-20 of the Consumer Code refers to the provisions of article 1343-5 of the Civil Code, which allow a judge to grant a respite to a debtor acting in good faith. In practical terms, the Protection Litigation Judge (formerly the Magistrate's Court) may : This measure is granted taking into account the debtor's situation...
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