Stark court to begin foreclosure mediation

Stark County Common Pleas Court will begin its foreclosure mediation program on Tuesday.

Homeowners named as defendants in foreclosure cases on or after Tuesday will receive a letter in "plain English" from the court explaining the situation and encouraging the homeowner to immediately contact their mortgage service company, the closest Housing and Urban Development-approved counseling agency and a lawyer.

Homeowners will be offered the opportunity for court mediation if they believe they have the ability to save their home, but the request must be made to the county Clerk of Courts within 28 days of the date when the complaint is served.

The homeowner will get the chance to meet with a representative of the mortgage company and a court mediator at the Community Mediation Center.

Requesting mediation doesn't stop the case from proceeding, but if it is requested, the court won't allow the foreclosure for a minimum of five days after mediation is concluded.

Judge Taryn Heath told a gathering last month that Stark County is working with the state Supreme Court on the effort. The high court is launching its own pilot programs in three counties.

The court's letter also will have phone numbers for loss-mitigation officials at mortgage lenders, who may be able to make arrangements to help the homeowner. It also will include numbers to contact Housing and Urban Development and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

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