Florida foreclosure mediation programs (a sampling)

In December 2009 the Florida Supreme Court issued an administrative order directing all circuits to develop foreclosure mediation programs. The Supreme Court’s order requires courts to allow homeowners to participate automatically in these programs. There are twenty circuit courts in Florida, and each one may select an entity of its choice to administer its mediation program. Circuit courts throughout the state implemented mandatory mediation programs during 2010.

The Collins Center, a state non profit organization, is the mediation manager for six Florida circuits. The data below is from the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, comprising Miami-Dade County. The Eleventh Circuit has by far the highest volume of foreclosures of any circuit in Florida. All foreclosure cases filed in the Eleventh Circuit are automatically eligible for mediation and referred to Collins Center for mediation. Collins Center attempts to contact all homeowners and refer them to housing counselors to prepare for a mediation session.

The Clerk of the Court reports that there were 34,400 foreclosure filings in Miami-Dade Country during 2010.

The following Collins Center data reported for Miami-Dade County only, is for the six months from June 2010 through December 2010:

13,265 cases received (cases referred to mediation upon filing)

6681 unable to contact homeowner

6044 homeowner successfully contacted

2178 mediations conducted (16.4 % of cases received)


Of the 2178 mediations conducted:

1392 reached impasse - foreclosure allowed to proceed

745 homeowner reached written agreement (could be modification or vacate)

219 settled before mediation session