When financial troubles arise, they can seem minor at first. A person might make a late payment here or miss a mortgage payment there, but suddenly these issues can snowball and a person can get buried under unmanageable debt. It might seem simple to ignore the problem or find some short-term solution, but that can end up doing more harm than good.

This can be especially true when it comes to foreclosure. Ignoring the problem or trying to put a bandage on it will not make the situation go away. That is why many people prefer to find effective and long-term solutions that can help them either defend against foreclosure or find a good alternative; otherwise these issues can continue to plague a person for years. Dina Lohan is still in the midst of the foreclosure process of her $1.3 million home despite the fact that narrowly avoided eviction just two years ago.

As the mother of actress Lindsay Lohan, Dina Lohan is no stranger to the spotlight. Most recently, she reportedly learned that she could be losing her Long Island home after failure to pay charges related to her mortgage. But what is notable about this foreclosure is that she has been dealing with it since 2005 when the bank originally came after her. Since then, she has seemingly failed to take appropriate action to deal with the situation.

Just two years ago, Lohan was almost evicted but was able to secure a loan from her daughter and others to avoid losing her home. Those efforts proved to be insufficient, as the bank is reportedly still pursuing the foreclosure of her home.

Rather than have to deal with creditors and banks every couple of years and scramble to borrow more money, New Jersey residents who are in a similar situation may want to take a different approach. Some people may want to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy to stop the foreclosure process and take control of debt by putting a repayment plan into place. Short sales and loan modifications may also be options for people facing foreclosure.

Taking steps to deal with financial woes can be difficult at first, but finding solutions that work — and continue to work for the long haul — can get a person out from under their debt and give that person a chance at a fresh start.

Source: New York Daily News, “Dina Lohan about to lose $1.3M Long Island home to foreclosure; court papers came two weeks before DUI arrest,” Stephen Rex Brown, Sept. 20, 2013