A Chapter 13 is a type of Bankruptcy that immediately stops a Foreclosure.  Once you file a Chapter 13 all creditors are prohibited from taking any action to continue the collection of a debt without a court order.  The foreclosure is stopped by court order, called the Automatic Stay.  In the Chapter 13 you create a Plan to pay the arrears due on your mortgage.  The Plan allows you to pay monthly, from 36 to 60 months, the amount you are behind on your mortgage.