Fed stimulus money being used to resolve foreclosure cases more quickly

Fed stimulus money is being used to resolve foreclosure cases more quickly.

By Kristy Wolski , Reporter
Last Updated:

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CLEARWATER --

Pinellas County is seeing more than 500 new foreclosure cases every month, adding to a serious backlog of cases.

The 6th Judicial Circuit hopes to speed up the process with the help of federal stimulus funding.

Under the summary judgment system, dozens of cases are heard in a couple of hours. Although summary judgements aren't new, the court has more resources dedicated to the process, thanks to stimulus dollars.

Senior judges and temporary case managers have been hired to work on the backlog of cases. With the extra judges now handling cases the hope is more than half of the backlog will be depleted within a year.

The 6th Circuit received more than $300,000 to cover extra salaries and court expenses.

More than 33,000 mortgage foreclosure cases are currently open in Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

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