How we help:
Facilitated by a neutral court-appointed mediator, mediation brings lenders and homeowners together in the same room for the purpose of finding a resolution acceptable to all parties. CPAH’s Housing Counselors will help guide you through this process and collect necessary documentation.
For those that adhere to the required timeframes, all legal proceedings will be on hold while you participate in mediation. This means you will not be required to tend to the legal aspects of the foreclosure while this process is underway, and you will be afforded more time and flexibility to negotiate your desired outcome.
If you wish to participate in mediation, you must adhere to certain timeframes, as failure to do so will result in forfeiting the right to participate in mediation.
The video, “Lake County Foreclosure Mediation Program Video,” (20 minutes) (English | Spanish) describes the Lake County Residential Foreclosure Mediation Program and tells you how to enroll in the program. It also walks you through the foreclosure process, various options you may have available, and how to communicate with your lender.
How to get started:
Option 1: Enter Mediation Immediately Upon Receiving a Summons for Foreclosure
Homeowners are eligible for mediation if you call the Foreclosure Mediation Program within 42 days from the date of the service of the summons and complaint and schedule a Housing Counseling appointment. Homeowners can call 847.377.3552 for English or 847.796.8050 for Spanish.
Option 2: Enter Mediation at a Later Date
Homeowners may request to enter mediation at a later date provided that (i) no Judgment of Foreclosure has been entered in the case, (ii) there is no pending Summary Judgment Motion, and (iii) the homeowner has not previously participated in the Lake County Residential Foreclosure Mediation Program.
To proceed:
File a Motion for Referral to Foreclosure Mediation. A motion is simply a request to the Courts. In this case, you are requesting to enter mediation. You can do this with the help of an attorney or on your own. The form needed to file the motion is located here, and other guidance for pro se homeowners (or those representing themselves), is available at the Center for Self Representation (847.377.3600).
Assuming the Courts grant your request, you will receive an Order for Referral to Foreclosure Mediation.
Call the Foreclosure Mediation Program within 14 days from the date of receiving an Order and schedule a Housing Counseling appointment.