- Who sends it
- Attached to the summons by the lender, and sent again by the court within 3 business days after the papers are returned to court
- What it starts
- 15 days from the return date to file JD-CV-108 and JD-CL-12 (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 49-31l(c))
- Do this first
- Fill out and file both forms, and mail a copy of the certificate to the lender's lawyer
What this notice is in Connecticut
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 49-31l requires the lender to attach a notice of foreclosure mediation, the Foreclosure Mediation Certificate (JD-CV-108) and a blank Appearance (JD-CL-12) to the front of the papers it serves on you, for cases with return dates through June 30, 2029. The court must also issue the notice to you within 3 business days after the lender returns the writ to court (§ 49-31l(b)).
The court form is JD-CV-127. It says mediation may be scheduled if you are the owner-occupant of a 1 to 4 family home in Connecticut that is your primary residence, the mortgage is being foreclosed, and you are a borrower or a qualifying spouse or former spouse. It says there is no application fee and that Judicial Branch mediators hold the sessions.
What it does and does not mean
- It means you can ask for free court mediation. It does not mean mediation is scheduled yet.
- Mediation does not stop the case from being filed, but while it is open no judgment of strict foreclosure or foreclosure by sale can enter (§ 49-31l(f)).
- If mediation ends less than 8 months after the return date, 15 more days must pass before judgment can enter.
- It does not promise a result. If there is no agreement, the case goes on.
- Tax lien and condominium lien foreclosures are not eligible.
The deadlines and how to count them
- File both forms so the court receives them no later than 15 days after the return date. Count calendar days, starting the day after the return date.
- The lender must send you a package by day 35 after the return date: a 12-month account history, the itemized amount to reinstate, a contact person, its forms and document list, and copies of the note and mortgage (§ 49-31l(d)).
- The court aims to hold your first meeting with the mediator (premediation) by day 49, and premediation ends by day 84 unless extended.
- Mediation with the lender ends at the third session or 7 months after the return date, whichever comes first, unless a judge changes it (§ 49-31n(a)).
The Connecticut foreclosure mediation page explains each step.
What to do this week
- Complete JD-CV-108 and JD-CL-12, file them with the court on your summons, and mail a copy of the certificate to the lender's lawyer.
- If you are past 15 days, file a Motion to Modify the Mediation Period/Request Mediation More Than 15 Days After Return Date (JD-CV-96) with both forms.
- Start gathering pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns and a hardship letter.
- Call a CHFA/HUD-approved housing counselor from the Notice of Community-Based Resources (JD-CV-126), or the Department of Banking hotline at 1-877-472-8313.
- Keep responding to the case. Mediation does not cancel your duty to file papers on time.
Free help and warnings
- Mediators are Judicial Branch employees and cannot give legal advice. The Judicial Branch also runs a Foreclosure Volunteer Attorney Program.
- Statewide Legal Services (1-800-453-3320) and the Connecticut Fair Housing Center (860-247-4400) offer free legal help to eligible homeowners.
- Mediation is free. Anyone who charges you to get into it, or to negotiate with your lender without a Department of Banking license, is breaking the rules in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-671.
The rest of the Connecticut process
See how foreclosure works in Connecticut, the timeline, ways to stop it and free help in Connecticut, or read the national guide to this letter.
Common questions
Is Connecticut foreclosure mediation free?
Yes. The court notice and the Judicial Branch FAQ both say there is no application fee.
Do I need a lawyer for Connecticut foreclosure mediation?
No. Homeowners with and without lawyers take part. A lawyer or legal aid can still help you with the court case and with any agreement.
Can the lender get a judgment while I am in Connecticut mediation?
No. Until the mediation period ends, the court cannot enter a judgment of strict foreclosure or foreclosure by sale. If it ends less than 8 months after the return date, 15 more days must pass (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 49-31l(f)).
What if the mediator does not schedule mediation with my bank?
You can file a Petition for Reinclusion (JD-CV-136) and show good cause, such as a material change in your finances or a mistake by the mediator about the facts (§ 49-31l(d)).
Other Connecticut letters
- Notice of intent to foreclose (EMAP notice)Before a Connecticut lender can start a foreclosure on a covered home loan, it must mail you this notice by registered or certified mail. It gives you 60 days from the date of the notice to meet or talk with the lender or a counseling agency and to contact the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) about emergency mortgage assistance. It is not a lawsuit yet.
- Writ, Summons and Complaint, with the notice "You Are Being Sued and You Are in Danger of Losing Your Property" (JD-CV-103)A Connecticut foreclosure is a Superior Court lawsuit, and a state marshal serves you the writ, summons and complaint. On top must be the court's notice "You Are Being Sued and You Are in Danger of Losing Your Property." Your deadlines count from the return date on the summons, so find it first.
- Judgment of strict foreclosure and law day letterA judgment of strict foreclosure sets law days. If you do not pay the full debt, with costs, by your law day, title passes to the lender with no auction and no surplus. If you did not file an Appearance, the lender must mail you a letter about the judgment within 10 days.
- Judgment of foreclosure by sale and sale date letterWhen a judge orders a foreclosure by sale, the court appoints a committee to auction the home at noon on the property on a set date. If you did not file an Appearance, the lender must mail you a letter within 10 days. The sale is not final until the court approves it, and leftover money can go to you.
- Application and Execution for Ejectment, Mortgage Foreclosure (JD-CV-30)After title passes in a Connecticut foreclosure, the new owner can get an execution for ejectment from the court. A state marshal serves it, and removal cannot happen until at least 5 business days after service. Belongings left behind go to town storage and can be sold if not claimed within 15 days.