In 2008 Connecticut established what was one of the first Foreclosure Mediation Programs in the country to help homeowners with the record-breaking number of foreclosure cases being filed. When a qualifying homeowner enters mediation, the foreclosure action is stayed pending conclusion of the mediation.
The mediation process is overseen by a foreclosure mediation specialist who is employed by the Court. They are neutral third parties that do not represent either the bank or the homeowner. The mediator will meet with the homeowners (and their attorney) and the attorney for the bank. The goal is to reach a fair and reasonable agreement. This could be:
- Repayment terms for the past due balance
- Modification of the mortgage to terms that the homeowner can afford
- Short sale
- Deed in lieu of foreclosure
- Other voluntary agreement
Mediation is available to those who:
- Signed the note secured by a mortgage on the property
- Occupy the property as their primary residence
- The property is a 1 to 4 family residence
- The foreclosure case has a return date on or after July 1, 2008.
Note: if you did not sign the note, you can still qualify for mediation if you are now the owner of the property and:
- You are a defendant in a foreclosure action having a return date on or after October 1, 2015
- You are a successor-in-interest, meaning that:
- You are the spouse of a deceased borrower, and you became the owner of the property through your spouse’s estate or
- You held title with your spouse with rights of survivorship or
- The property was transferred to you by a divorce decree or legal separation
There are time deadlines for requesting mediation when you are served with foreclosure papers, so it is imperative that you act quickly. The attorneys at Bellenot & Boufford, LLC have been helping homeowners in mediation since the inception of the program in 2008. We offer a free initial phone consultation. Please call if you have any questions or want to save your home and / or avoid judgment. We can also help negotiate a resolution prior to your being served with foreclosure papers.
Law@BBesq.com 203-304-9050 WWW.BBesq.com
