TOPICS

resources

OPPORTUNITIES

 

A Note From the Collins Center

Background statement

in mediation, or alternative dispute resolution (adr), a neutral third party (mediator) helps the disputing parties reach a fair, voluntary, negotiated agreement. the mediator does not decide who is right or wrong.&nbspsince its beginnings, the collins center for public policy has found smart solutions to important issues facing the people of florida and the nation. the organization is independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit, and is passionately committed to lasting results. because of its exemplary reputation, the collins center has been relied upon to act as a neutral third party in important adr issues and challenges.

the national housing crisis is having a devastating effect on thousands of floridians. through managed mediation, the collins center works with a number of circuit courts throughout florida to assist homeowners and lenders in foreclosure,&nbspoften allowing owners to stay in their homes.

in today's overburdened court system, no one really "wins" a lawsuit. even if disputes settle before trial, the costs are substantial.

litigation can also be destructive to businesses and organizations, both for the loss in productivity and the potential for bad publicity. plaintiffs and defendants build their cases and a long courtroom battle ensues, each side hoping to convince a judge or a jury to decide in their favor. the process is expensive and time consuming.




 
 
 
Close

Resources and Links

Six Judicial Circuits participating

Related News Stories

Collins Center Foreclosure Mediation Program Sets State Standard

Collins Whitepaper: Balancing Economic Interests and Fairness in Florida's Residential Mortgage Foreclosure System

Florida Circuit Court Web sites

Mediators: Sign up to Receive Updates

Current List of Participating Mediators

Other Resources

Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Training:

ADR Educational systems- (note: this program is currently under review by the Chief Judges)

 

A Note from the Collins Center

 

The Collins Center's Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program helps any homeowner/ borrower whose owner-occupied, residential property is facing foreclosure. The property must be located in the state of Florida and be the homeowner's primary residence. The homeowner will meet with a mediator and the lender to try to reach an agreement.

Currently, six of Florida's 20 Judicial Circuits are participating in the Collins Foreclosure Mediation Program.

In December 2009, the Florida Supreme Court ordered all of Florida's 20 Judicial Circuits in December to institute programs of mandatory residential foreclosure mediation. The Supreme Court's Order agrees with the Report of its Task Force on Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Cases, chaired by Judge Jennifer Bailey of the 11th Judicial Circuit (Miami-Dade County).

Both the Task Force Report and the Supreme Court's Order call for a uniform statewide program which, in all of its essential parts, is exactly like that now administered by the Collins Center for the 1st, 11th and 19th Judicial Circuits.

In the first quarter of 2010. the Florida legislature considered including legislation in their upcoming session the would fundamentally change the mortgage foreclosure process in Florida from a "judicial foreclosure” state that relies on the courts to govern the process, to a "non-judicial foreclosure” state that relies primarily on private lenders to govern the process. In most cases the change would allow lenders to bypass the court system and oversee the foreclosure process from start to finish.

The Collins Center examined the potential impacts of changing to a non-judicial foreclosure state and presented its findings in a whitepaper. Two versions exists: a print quality, high resolution file; and a low resolution file appropriate for sending electronically. Instead, the discussion was tabled and no legislation to that effect made it out of committee.

We invite you to visit this important public policy section and to recommend it to your friends and associates who may have an interest or may be in need of mortgage foreclosure mediation services.

 

Mediation Program showing Success in Miami-Dade

WTVJ Miami reports on Collins Home Foreclosure Mediation Program success "…keeping thousands avoiding forclosure.” March 31st story text can be found here.

 
Florida's Home Foreclosure Challenge