Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and the Metro Milwaukee Foreclosure Mediation Program announced a new initiative Tuesday that will provide homeowners with a mandatory mediation notice when a foreclosure summons and complaint are filed.

AG Van Hollen made the announcement, saying the state wanted a mediation process to be available to give homeowners and lenders a chance to resolve a distressed loan situation before foreclosure.

Earlier this month, Hon. Jeffrey Kremers, chief judge of Milwaukee County Circuit Court, signed a statewide directive that forces a mediation notice to be issued with the summons and complaint.