Update on Home Foreclosure Mediation – September 2014

This is another in a series up updates on the development of home foreclosure mediation in the United States by Mediate.com News Editor, Keith Seat.

Champaign County is joining at least ten other Illinois counties with mandatory mediation for those facing residential foreclosure.  The mediation program will take effect on October 1 and enhance the ability of homeowners to work through issues with their lenders.  The News-Gazette (August 10, 2014)

Home foreclosure mediation has been available in Madison County, Illinois, for nearly three years, but is now becoming mandatory under a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision.  Mediators will now be paid rather than volunteering their services.  AltonDailyNews.com (July 3, 2014)

Lake County, Illinois, began its foreclosure mediation program late last year and over two-thirds of those using the program have had successful mediations.  Highland Park News (August 11, 2014)

Seven banks in central Massachusetts have challenged new foreclosure mediation programs in Worcester and Lynn in court, arguing the requirements are unconstitutional and should be preempted by state foreclosure statutes which do not contain a mediation requirement.  Worcester Business Journal Online (July 1, 2014); ItemLive.com (July 2, 2014)

                       

Keith Seat

Keith L. Seat is a full-time mediator and arbitrator who can effectively assist parties in resolving a wide range of telecommunications, antitrust and other commercial disputes. With over twenty years of legal experience as a mediator, arbitrator, litigator, advocate before executive branch agencies, and key staffer in the legislative and… MORE >