Maryland Judiciary Partners with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
to Produce Videos for Maryland Homeowners

New Videos Help Marylanders Understand Foreclosure Legal Process

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND (August 24, 2016) − The Maryland Judiciary has created two new videos in partnership with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) to help Maryland homeowners understand the foreclosure legal process, including mediation.  The videos, “The Foreclosure Process” and “Foreclosure Mediation,” provide information about what foreclosure is and what happens during mediation.

“The Maryland Judiciary is committed to advancing access to justice for all Marylanders.  Through these new videos, Maryland homeowners will gain a better understanding of the legal process, terminology, and options that may be available to them should they face foreclosure proceedings,” said Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera.  “We have tailored the content of these videos to address the needs of people facing foreclosure now, who may be unable to afford legal representation during this time or prefer to represent themselves.”

The videos are part of the Maryland Judiciary’s online self-help video library, My Laws, My Courts, My Maryland.  Anyone can access the library and gain greater clarity to complex legal principles and procedures.

A July report by RealtyTrac, Inc. on foreclosures in the U.S. lists Maryland as having the third-highest foreclosure rate in the country, an improvement from second-highest in June.  RealtyTrac reports a 33 percent decrease in the number of properties receiving foreclosure filings from July 2015.

“Since the national foreclosure crisis began in 2008, MVLS has been the largest pro bono legal services provider in a statewide foreclosure prevention project,” said Bonnie Sullivan, executive director, MVLS.  “We have a dedicated team of trained foreclosure volunteer lawyers and foreclosure staff attorneys to help distressed homeowners in Maryland.  In addition, we organize monthly foreclosure clinics in Baltimore City and the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, which are two leading foreclosure regions in the state.  We are thrilled to work with the Maryland Judiciary to extend the reach of foreclosure education for Marylanders in need.”

The non-profit legal services provider was established in 1981 to serve Maryland’s low-income residents by offering free civil legal services through a panel of experienced volunteer lawyers.  For more information about the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), visit www.mvlslaw.org.

Every video in the series features tip sheets that can be easily printed.  Videos featured on the Judiciary’s website include:

• Before Court: Tips on Preparing for Your Day in Court 
• Bringing a Small Claim 
• Can’t Afford Appellate Costs?
• Can’t Afford Court Filing Fees? 
• Defending a Small Claim 
• Expungement
• Finding Legal Help in a Civil Case 
• Hiring and Working with Your Lawyer 
• How to Research the Law 
• Mediation
• Service of Process 
• Should I Represent Myself? 
• Tips for Your Day in Court 
• What is the Law? 

For more information on the videos, contact Pamela Ortiz, Director of the Maryland Judiciary Access to Justice Department, by phone at 410-260-1258, or by email at [email protected].  To learn more about the Maryland Judiciary, visit www.mdcourts.gov.

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