State courts look for ways to deal with rising tide of foreclosures
Wisconsin NewsForeclosure rates in Wisconsin jumped 21 percent from 2007 to 2008, according to figures released by the Director of State Courts Office, and courts across the state are now looking at ways to deal with that increase.
Foreclosure rates in Wisconsin jumped 21 percent from 2007 to 2008, according to figures released by the Director of State Courts Office, and courts across the state are now looking at ways to deal with that increase.
"Foreclosure filings statewide, excluding Portage County, increased from 21,051 in 2007, to 25,474 in 2008 - the second consecutive year during which foreclosure filings increased more than 20 percent," said John Voelker, director of state courts.
Across the far-western region, four out of the seven counties had rates lower than the statewide average.
Foreclosures in St. Croix County went from 514 in 2007, to 640 in 2008 - a jump of 25 percent.
Pierce County's increase was 23 percent, with 201 foreclosures in 2007 and 247 in 2008.
However, Polk County had a lower rate than the statewide average. The rate there was 20 percent, with 310 foreclosures in 2007 and 371 in 2008.
There were no increases in foreclosures in Pepin County, with 29 foreclosures in both 2007 and 2008.
In the region, the county with the biggest jump in foreclosures was Dunn County which saw a 34 percent increase with 140 foreclosures in 2007 and 187 in 2008.
Eau Claire County saw an 18 percent increase, with 238 foreclosures in 2007 and 280 in 2008.
Finally, Chippewa County's foreclosure rate increased 20 percent with 194 in 2007 and 233 in 2008.
"In an effort to prepare for the influx of cases (foreclosure), and to protect the rights of both creditors and borrowers, court administrators began tracking the number of foreclosures many months ago," said Shirley Abrahamson, chief justice of the State Supreme Court.
In addition to tracking foreclosures the court system is also providing educational programs on mortgage laws and regulations for judges and court staffs, according to state court officials.
Abrahamson and Voelker also say Wisconsin courts are communicating with other courts across the country to see what types of programs help resolve foreclosure and settlement issues.
One such program is being tried out in Iowa County by William Dyke, chief justice for the Iowa County circuit court. Foreclosures there jumped 58 percent in the last two years.
The program is an alternative dispute resolution program. Under the program Dyke initiated a local rule that requires lenders to notify defendants that foreclosure mediation is an option under Wisconsin's alternative dispute resolution law.
"We're fostering a discussion between the parties, and that discussion can take into consideration the loss of a job, for example," said Dyke.
Another trend being seen by court officials across the state in the foreclosure upswing is that the borrower is not being represented in court. This means the courts will see an increased demand on the court system's resources for self-represented litigants.
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