Program to Mediate Foreclosures Expands to Six Counties in Florida's Northwest Panhandle

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 14th Judicial Circuit covering Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties has become the state's fourth circuit to implement the Collins Center's foreclosure mediation program. The Collins Center's foreclosure mediation program provides an opportunity for homeowners and their lenders to resolve the foreclosure case out of court and allow the homeowner to stay in their home if possible. The program is provided at no expense to the homeowner.

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"Our foreclosure mediation program has helped thousands of homeowners and lenders in other circuits around the state," said Ned Pope, director of the Collins Center alternative dispute resolution program. "Managed mediation brings both sides together in a confidential environment that can encourage a successful outcome for everyone involved. Not only is this program helping homeowners and their mortgage lenders, it is also freeing up overcrowded court dockets."

Homeowners and lender representatives meet with a neutral mediator. All mediators are Supreme Court certified and trained in mediation and foreclosure law. Homeowners also meet with an approved mortgage foreclosure counselor as they complete the financial documentation required for the mediation.

The Collins Center for Public Policy is a statewide nonprofit organization that is also managing mediation programs for foreclosures in the 1st, 11th and 19th circuits.

The Florida Supreme Court Task Force on Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Cases recommended in August 2009 that a managed mediation program be adopted in all circuits to help resolve the avalanche of foreclosure filings. The task force pointed to the Collins Center's foreclosure mediation program as a model.

Since the Collins Center's foreclosure mediation program began in March 2009, the Center has managed approximately 5,900 scheduled mediations. For information on the Collins Center, visit www.CollinsCenter.org

SOURCE Collins Center for Public Policy

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