Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Mortgage Modification under the Bankruptcy Court's New "Mortgage Modification Mediation" Program

The Bankruptcy Courts in Florida have programs to help people get a mortgage modification and help them save their home from foreclosure as part of their  chapter 13 bankruptcy case.

The program is called "Mortgage Modification Mediation" (MMM). It is available for homeowners and certain investment property owners who are seeking a modification of their mortgage and may be facing foreclosure of the mortgages on their property.  As part of the MMM program, the Bankruptcy Court appoints a mediator to work with the debtor and their bankruptcy attorney in reaching an agreement.  MMM has been successful in about 80% of the cases in other parts of Florida that previously instituted the program. One advantage of this program is that it provides for better communication with the mortgage lender in the process of negotiating a mortgage modification. A mediator is appointed by the Bankruptcy Court to help the parties negotiate an agreement.

As part of this process, an order is issued by the Bankruptcy Court requiring your mortgage lender to register with the internet portal and negotiate with you for a mortgage modification. The documents that are needed for the mortgage company to consider the mortgage for a modification are submitted on an internet portal for better communications.   All communications between the parties is done through the MMM Portal. After the order is entered the homeowner, mortgage lender and mediator communicate and meet to mediate a modification. In the meeting, all parties must be really and able to settle all matters.