Dec 23 - A New Look . . . Lycolaw Updated
Nov 30 - Engel Elected State Bar Executive's Treasurer
Nov 28 - YWCA Recognizes Judge McCoy
Nov 3 - LLA Supports Local Red Cross Flood Relief
Oct 2 - Lawctoberfest 2011
Sep 27 - LLA Members Assist with Mortgage Diversion Program
Sep 20 - LLA to Match Donations for Local Disaster Relief
Sep 18 - Nine Appeal Court Judges visit Williamsport
Sep 18 - Collins at Historic Supreme Court Session
Sep 14 - Toni Byrd Appointed to Legal Services Board
Sep 1 - 2011 LLA Picnic
Jul 30 - Commonwealth Court to Sit in Williamsport
Jul 24 - Malcolm Stabler Muir
Jul 22 - Judge Malcolm Muir sucumbs
Jul 19 - Shipman wins PBA award
Jun 6 - Bill Knecht to Leave Lycoming Reporter Post
Jun 4 - Carlucci Elected Scout Leader
May 11 - LLA Member John Smay Hosts Filipino Lawyers
May 10 - Alexyn Takes Office as Zone Governor
May 10 - Perciballi Recognized by PBA
May 9 - Law Day Celebrated in County Court
May 1 - Two Members Honored by YWCA
Apr 8 - LLA Looks to the Future
Apr 7 - Mission Statement Approved
Mar 13 - LLA Members Seeking Elected Positions
Mar 8 - LLA Receives 2011 PBA Award
Feb 23 - Henry Clay McCormick
Feb 16 - Judge Lovecchio receives 2010 PBA Pro Bono Award
Jan 23 - Bar Composite Photo Debuts
Jan 12 - Judge Muir Recognized for 40 Years on the Bench
Jan 11 - Patricia Shipman Recognized for Pro Bono Work
Jan 11 - 2010 Public Service Awards
Jan 10 - 2011 Annual Meeting
LLA
Members Assist with Mortgage Diversion Program
In July 2010, with the participation of North Penn Legal Services, the Lycoming Law Association, and the STEP Housing counseling office, the Lycoming County Courts developed a mortgage foreclosure diversion program for Lycoming County residents. This program was designed to give residents the option to have their mortgage foreclosure case reviewed by the court prior to final judgment being entered. This review is conducted by a court conference where all parties are present and the goal of the conference is to save the property from foreclosure.
In 2009, Congress made several programs available to the homeowner as alternatives to foreclosure. The Lycoming County Diversion Program is intended to provide delinquent homeowners with an opportunity to take advantage of these programs. The goal was to offer alternatives short of sheriff sales.
The LLA expanded its pro bono work to assure pro bono legal representation to the homeowner at these foreclosure conferences. Their contribution along with the contribution of STEP Housing counseling office was essential in assisting the homeowner in filing the proper paperwork to pursue one of these alternative programs. The STEP Housing counselor attended all of the diversion conferences. The court has conducted 59 diversion conferences involving 44 separate cases. At the end of the first year, on average, 58% of the closed cases have resulted in settlement agreements that allowed the homeowners to keep their homes. This type of settlement avoided the sheriff’s sale process for each of these homeowners.
With the recent economic tightening, federal money may not be available in the future.
Judge Richard Gray recently presided over a session of mortgage foreclosure court where 5 cases were resolved in one afternoon, largely mortgage modifications done by the lender and good faith effort by homeowners. Judge Gray believes the program enables banks and homeowners to meet in an environment that facilitates settlement and communication.
The assistance of LLA lawyers is essential to the success of this program.