322,724 foreclosures clogging courts, despite state's aid
Florida's judges have cleared 139,615 foreclosure cases since lawmakers gave the courts a one-time $6 million boost last year to help reduce a backlog. But there's still 322,724 cases to go. A report released today by the Office of the State Courts Administrator found that while adding senior judges, case managers and clerical assistants made a dent in the foreclosure log jam, the system is still struggling under the load. Although the foreclosure tally wasn't due to be reported until the end of April, court budget discussions in Tallahassee prompted an early release. On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott approved an emergency $14 million for the courts after Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady warned of a $72 million deficit for the remaining three months of the fiscal year, which ends June 30. The deficit was caused in part by a drop in new foreclosure filings as banks pulled back to review and revamp their home repossession procedures. But experts believe the filing reduction is only temporary, and it's unclear if a 2012 budget will include another infusion of cash specifically aimed at the backlog. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
I'm not surprised at the mountain of files still present and ever stacking. We will see a continual back log for several years to come. Foreclosure files in this state can last for several years while in other states its a matter of months, like in Arizona where foreclosure happens within 90-120 days of missed payment.
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