Steps to prevent foreclosures outlined

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana officials are promoting a new state law that requires lenders to notify homeowners of their right to request a settlement conference within 30 days of filing a foreclosure notice with a court.

They also say that about 700 attorneys and mediators have been trained in foreclosures over the past several months and that many of the lawyers are expected to defend homeowners for free.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said Wednesday that there is a collaborative effort between each branch of state government in fighting foreclosures.

RealtyTrac Inc. said Indiana ranked 13th among the states in foreclosures for the first six months of this year. Nevada ranked first.