So much for the mediation carrot & the principle that "mediation is a voluntary process."

Foreclosure Mediation Becomes Mandatory

Program staffing, caseload expected to double

By DOUGLAS S. MALAN

A voluntary foreclosure mediation program has worked so well in the eyes of legislators that the General Assembly pushed through a measure to make the program mandatory starting July 1.

Nearly 60 percent of those participating in the voluntary program have remained in their homes, and supporters contend that even more distressed mortgage holders will benefit from being forced into mediation. To date, only about 34 percent of those eligible for mediation have made use of the voluntary program, according to the Judicial Branch.

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