Florida Courts Continue Efforts To Establish Loan Workout Procedures In Foreclosure Actions

In South Florida, the Daily Business Review reports:

• As a state task force labors to develop a uniform statewide approach to the onslaught of foreclosure cases, Broward and Palm Beach counties are rolling out new programs of their own.

• Palm Beach Chief Circuit Judge Kathleen Kroll will launch a pilot program next month allowing homeowners to confer with law clerks and court interns to get help understanding the paperwork and see if they’re eligible to rework their loan. [...] Broward Chief Circuit Judge Victor Tobin plans to require lenders to make a good-faith effort to meet with all homeowners interested in settling their foreclosure cases. Both are trying to solve complaints by mortgage holders who say they can’t find anyone in a position of authority at their lender to work with them.

• The Miami-Dade Circuit Court created a mandatory mediation program last month for cases involving owner-occupied homes. [...] Others counties around the state are pursuing different options for bringing their foreclosures caseloads under control. A task force formed by the Florida Supreme Court issued an interim report last week suggesting it would recommend uniform case management procedures and a model mediation program.

For more, see Courts initiate programs to assist homeowners in resolving cases.