RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE MEDIATION PROGRAM

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT HAPPENS FIRST?
Typically a case begins when the Plaintiff (Lender) files Form “A” with the Collins Center and makes an initial payment for the program. The Collins Center then contacts the Homeowner to determine if the Homeowner wishes to participate in mediation with the Plaintiff. If the Homeowner chooses to participate, the Homeowner is provided financial assistance from a Foreclosure Counselor to organize their financial information and deliver it to the Collins Center’s secure website for electronic review by the Plaintiff. The Homeowner may also request certain information from the Plaintiff.

WHEN IS MEDIATION SCHEDULED?
Once the Homeowner has received financial counseling and submitted the required financial information, mediation can be scheduled no less than thirty days after the Homeowner provides the information. If the Homeowner requests certain information, the Plaintiff (Lender) must provide this information at least five days in advance of mediation. The details for this program can be found in with Administrative Order No. 2010-11.1 / Administrative Order No. 2011-11.1A .

WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is a chance for the Homeowner and Plaintiff to meet with a neutral and impartial person who will try to help the Homeowner and Plaintiff (Lender) discuss their concerns and find a solution acceptable to them. The mediator will not decide the issue and instead will try to help the Homeowner and Plaintiff (Lender) reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE MEDIATOR?
The role of the mediator is to reduce obstacles to communication, assist in the identification of issues and exploration of alternatives, and otherwise facilitate voluntary agreements resolving the dispute.

WHO ARE THE DECISION MAKERS?
The Homeowner(s), Plaintiff (Lender), and all other parties are the decision makers.

WHERE IS THE MEDIATION HELD?
Scheduled mediations will be held at the USF Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Office located at 5804 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. North, Sarasota, Florida 34240. Directions Homeowners and Plaintiffs (Lenders) are encourage to come to the mediation office at least 15 minutes in advance of mediation to be sure that mediation starts on time.

IS MEDIATION CONFIDENTIAL?
Yes, Florida law (F.S.44.401 – 44.406) provides that mediation communications are confidential and privileged, however there are some exceptions to the confidentiality protections. For example, a signed mediation agreement is not confidential.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MEDIATION?
The mediator will report to the court whether or not an agreement was reached. If the Homeowner and Plaintiff (Lender) do not reach an agreement, the mediator will report the lack of an agreement to the court without comment or recommendation.

DOES THE HOMEOWNER HAVE TO PAY FOR MEDIATION?
The Homeowner will not have to pay out-of-pocket for the mediation. The Plaintiff (Lender) will pay for mediation, however, all or part of the mediation expense may be added to the amount the Homeowner owes if the foreclosure results in a judgment against the Homeowner.

HOW CAN HOMEOWNERS LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS MEDIATION PROGRAM?
Homeowners can learn more by visiting http://www.collinscenter.org/?page=FMPGeneralFAQ

HOW CAN MEDIATORS LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM?
Mediators can learn more by visiting http://www.collinscenter.org/?page=FMMediatorFAQ

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COLLINS CENTER FORECLOSURE MEDIATION PROCESS?
More information can be found at the Collins Center Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program at http://www.collinscenter.org/page/ForeclosureMediation

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE USF CONFLICT RESOLUTION COLLABORATIVE MEDIATION TRAINING PROGRAMS?
Please visit www.crc.usf.edu to see all the Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution training programs offered at USF.

HOW CAN I REQUEST ACCOMMODATION OF A DISABILITY?
The University of South Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action Institution. If reasonable accommodation of a disability is needed, call (941) 893-4944 at least ten working days in advance of mediation to make arrangements. Persons with hearing impairments should contact the ADA Coordinator by using the Florida Dual Party Relay System at (800) 955-8770 (voice) or (800) 955-8771 (TDD).



	RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE MEDIATION PROGRAM 5804 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. North Sarasota, Florida 34240 (941) 893-4944 The University of South Florida Conflict Resolution Collaborative and the Collins Center for Public Policy are working together to offer a Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program for Homeowners and Lenders in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Our program is conducted in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2010-11.1 / Administrative Order No. 2011-11.1A / Administrative Order No: 2012-1.1 issued by Chief Judge Lee Haworth. This program provides court ordered and voluntary Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation for homes located in Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto Counties. The USF Conflict Resolution Collaborative also hosts Fannie Mae pre-suit RMF mediations coordinated by the Collins Center for Public Policy. The USF/Collins Center Mediation Office is located at 5804 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. North, Sarasota, FL 34240. DIRECTIONS: Take I-75 to Exit 213, University Parkway. Go East on University Parkway approximately one mile and at the third traffic light, turn right onto Lakewood Ranch Blvd. At the first stop sign, you will see a 2-story building with a copper roof on the right side just across Professional Parkway. The USF/Collins Center Mediation Office is located in this building at the intersection of Lakewood Ranch Blvd. North and Professional Parkway. Parking and the entrance to the USF/Collins Center Mediation Office is located at the rear of the building. (Please note that MapQuest and Google Maps directions and maps may not be accurate. A correct map can be found here.)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT HAPPENS FIRST? Typically a case begins when the Plaintiff (Lender) files Form “A” with the Collins Center and makes an initial payment for the program. The Collins Center then contacts the Homeowner to determine if the Homeowner wishes to participate in mediation with the Plaintiff. If the Homeowner chooses to participate, the Homeowner is provided financial assistance from a Foreclosure Counselor to organize their financial information and deliver it to the Collins Center’s secure website for electronic review by the Plaintiff. The Homeowner may also request certain information from the Plaintiff. WHEN IS MEDIATION SCHEDULED? Once the Homeowner has received financial counseling and submitted the required financial information, mediation can be scheduled no less than thirty days after the Homeowner provides the information. If the Homeowner requests certain information, the Plaintiff (Lender) must provide this information at least five days in advance of mediation. The details for this program can be found in with Administrative Order No. 2010-11.1 / Administrative Order No. 2011-11.1A . WHAT IS MEDIATION? Mediation is a chance for the Homeowner and Plaintiff to meet with a neutral and impartial person who will try to help the Homeowner and Plaintiff (Lender) discuss their concerns and find a solution acceptable to them. The mediator will not decide the issue and instead will try to help the Homeowner and Plaintiff (Lender) reach a mutually acceptable agreement. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE MEDIATOR? The role of the mediator is to reduce obstacles to communication, assist in the identification of issues and exploration of alternatives, and otherwise facilitate voluntary agreements resolving the dispute. WHO ARE THE DECISION MAKERS? The Homeowner(s), Plaintiff (Lender), and all other parties are the decision makers. WHERE IS THE MEDIATION HELD? Scheduled mediations will be held at the USF Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Office located at 5804 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. North, Sarasota, Florida 34240. Directions Homeowners and Plaintiffs (Lenders) are encourage to come to the mediation office at least 15 minutes in advance of mediation to be sure that mediation starts on time. IS MEDIATION CONFIDENTIAL? Yes, Florida law (F.S.44.401 – 44.406) provides that mediation communications are confidential and privileged, however there are some exceptions to the confidentiality protections. For example, a signed mediation agreement is not confidential. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MEDIATION? The mediator will report to the court whether or not an agreement was reached. If the Homeowner and Plaintiff (Lender) do not reach an agreement, the mediator will report the lack of an agreement to the court without comment or recommendation. DOES THE HOMEOWNER HAVE TO PAY FOR MEDIATION? The Homeowner will not have to pay out-of-pocket for the mediation. The Plaintiff (Lender) will pay for mediation, however, all or part of the mediation expense may be added to the amount the Homeowner owes if the foreclosure results in a judgment against the Homeowner. HOW CAN HOMEOWNERS LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS MEDIATION PROGRAM? Homeowners can learn more by visiting http://www.collinscenter.org/?page=FMPGeneralFAQ HOW CAN MEDIATORS LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM? Mediators can learn more by visiting http://www.collinscenter.org/?page=FMMediatorFAQ HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COLLINS CENTER FORECLOSURE MEDIATION PROCESS? More information can be found at the Collins Center Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program at http://www.collinscenter.org/page/ForeclosureMediation HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE USF CONFLICT RESOLUTION COLLABORATIVE MEDIATION TRAINING PROGRAMS? Please visit www.crc.usf.edu to see all the Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution training programs offered at USF. HOW CAN I REQUEST ACCOMMODATION OF A DISABILITY? The University of South Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action Institution. If reasonable accommodation of a disability is needed, call (941) 893-4944 at least ten working days in advance of mediation to make arrangements. Persons with hearing impairments should contact the ADA Coordinator by using the Florida Dual Party Relay System at (800) 955-8770 (voice) or (800) 955-8771 (TDD).