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Foreclosure mediation in Ohio

Ohio has no single statewide foreclosure mediation program. The Supreme Court of Ohio wrote a model program in 2008 and each county common pleas court decides whether to use it and how, so forms and deadlines differ by county. Under the model you ask for mediation with a form after you are served with the foreclosure lawsuit, but asking does not stop the case or replace your answer.

Ask for help in Ohio Free HUD counselor: (800) 569-4287

Reviewed against Ohio law and official sources on October 12, 2026. General information, not legal advice.

How foreclosure mediation works in Ohio, step by step

  1. Find out if your county court offers it

    As soon as you are served

    Use the Supreme Court of Ohio's county contact list or call its Dispute Resolution Section at 614.387.9420. Some courts offer mediation even before a payment is missed. Ashtabula County, for example, runs foreclosure mediation through its Mediation and Conflict Management Services department.

  2. Send the Request for Foreclosure Mediation

    Within the 28 day answer period in the model

    The request form usually comes with the summons or is at the clerk's office. Under the model, you send it to the court's mediation department, not the clerk. In Ashtabula County you return the request and questionnaire to the Mediation Department at the courthouse.

    Supreme Court of Ohio Foreclosure Mediation Program Model, Steps 3 and 5

  3. Still file your answer

    Within 28 days after service

    A mediation request is not an answer. The model includes a Motion for Extension of Time to Answer form, but if you do nothing the lender can ask for a default judgment while mediation is pending.

    Supreme Court of Ohio Foreclosure Mediation Program Model, Step 5

  4. The court decides if the case fits

    After both questionnaires come in

    The lender gets its own questionnaire, due 14 days after the court's letter. The mediation department reviews both and tells the court and the parties whether mediation will happen, and the judge or magistrate may order it.

    Supreme Court of Ohio Foreclosure Mediation Program Model, Steps 6 to 8

  5. Get your papers ready with a counselor

    Before the session

    You will share income, expenses and other financial information with the lender ahead of time so its representative comes with authority to settle. The Supreme Court suggests getting help from a HUD-approved housing counselor or legal aid to prepare.

  6. The session

    On the date in the court's notice

    You, any support person, the lender's attorney and a lender representative with authority to settle attend, sometimes by phone. The mediator is neutral, cannot give legal advice and cannot force anyone to agree. Talks are privileged under Ohio's Uniform Mediation Act.

    Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2710.01, 2710.03

  7. Agreement or back to the docket

    After the session

    An agreement might be a reinstatement, a loan modification, a deed in lieu, or time to move. It should be put in writing and signed, or put on the record. The mediator may tell the court only things like whether mediation happened and whether you settled. If there is no agreement, the case goes back on the court's regular docket.

    Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2710.05, 2710.06

The program in Ohio

Foreclosure mediation

Program available

There is no single statewide program. The Supreme Court of Ohio created a foreclosure mediation model in 2008, and individual common pleas courts adapted it, so availability, forms and deadlines differ by county. Contact the court handling your case or use the Supreme Court's county contact list. The court's page says the Dispute Resolution Section can be reached at 614.387.9420.

Official program page

Common questions in Ohio

Does Ohio foreclosure mediation cost anything?

It depends on the county. Some county forms say mediation is offered at no added cost, while others warn you may be charged costs for the request and the hearing. Ask the court's mediation office before you file the form.

Can an Ohio judge make my lender come to mediation?

Yes. A judge or magistrate can order both sides to attend. No one can be forced to agree, because Ohio law defines mediation as helping the parties reach a voluntary agreement.

What can I do in Ohio if the lender's representative at mediation cannot settle?

The Supreme Court's model says a lender representative with authority to settle should attend in person or by phone. We found no statewide rule that sets a penalty if one does not. Under Ohio's mediation law the mediator can tell the court only limited things, such as who attended and whether a settlement was reached, so raise the problem with the court yourself or through a lawyer.

Step by step

More on foreclosure in Ohio

Understand the process

What is happening and how much time there is.

Weigh your options

What can stop it, and what happens if it goes ahead.

Get help now

Who to call, and what to do when a sale is scheduled.

Also in Ohio

Foreclosure mediation (this page)Property tax foreclosure Claim surplus funds Deficiency judgments Letters you may get

Back to the Ohio overview

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Sources for this page

  1. Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.07 (dormant judgments)
  2. Ohio Rev. Code § 2716.01 (garnishment)
  3. Ohio Rev. Code § 2323.07 (foreclosure sale ordered)
  4. Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66 (exemptions)
  5. Supreme Court of Ohio, Foreclosure Mediation in Ohio: What You Need to Know
  6. Supreme Court of Ohio, Foreclosure Mediation Resources (program model steps)
  7. Ashtabula County Courts, Mediation and Conflict Management Services
  8. Ohio Rev. Code § 2710.06 (what a mediator may report)
  9. Ohio Rev. Code § 2710.03 (mediation privilege)
  10. Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 2329, Execution Against Property
  11. Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.26, Notice of date, time and place of sale
  12. Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.33, Redemption by judgment debtor
  13. Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.08, Limitation of enforcement of deficiency judgment
  14. Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.44, Excess payable to debtor
  15. Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.52, New appraisement, second auction
  16. Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.31, Confirmation and order for deed
  17. Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.20, Two-thirds of appraised value
  18. Ohio Rev. Code § 4710.02, Debt adjusting fees
  19. Ohio Legal Help: Foreclosure
  20. Supreme Court of Ohio: Foreclosure Mediation Program Model Overview
  21. OHFA news release: Save the Dream Ohio Winding Down (September 6, 2023)
  22. Ohio Legal Help, Foreclosure timeline in Ohio
  23. Franklin County Sheriff, Real Estate Sale FAQ