Wewahitchka is the county seat of Gulf County, located in the Florida Panhandle between the Chipola and Apalachicola rivers in the heart of the Dead Lakes region. Gulf County is best known for the Dead Lakes State Recreation Area, the Tupelo honey industry along the Apalachicola River, and pristine Gulf Coast beaches near Port St. Joe. The local economy relies heavily on tourism, fishing, forestry, and agriculture -- industries that can be severely disrupted by major hurricanes.
Hurricane Michael, which made landfall as a Category 5 storm on October 10, 2018, caused catastrophic damage across Gulf County. Many homeowners who experienced sustained financial hardship from Michael's impact are still dealing with the aftereffects. If you are behind on your mortgage in Wewahitchka or anywhere in Gulf County, this guide explains your options, the courthouse and circuit court, available USDA assistance, and the free resources available to you.
Gulf County Foreclosure Court: The 14th Judicial Circuit
Florida is a judicial foreclosure state. Your lender cannot foreclose without filing a civil lawsuit, serving you with a summons, and obtaining a final judgment from a circuit court judge. Gulf County cases in the 14th Judicial Circuit are filed at the Gulf County Courthouse, 1000 Cecil G Costin Sr Blvd, Port St. Joe, FL 32456. Although Wewahitchka is the county seat, the primary civil courthouse for Gulf County is located in Port St. Joe. The 14th Circuit covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.
For a complete overview of the foreclosure process, see our Florida foreclosure timeline guide. If you have already received a foreclosure summons, see how many days you have to respond to a Florida foreclosure summons.
Hurricane Michael Hardship and Loan Modification
Hurricane Michael's Category 5 landfall near Mexico Beach in October 2018 caused catastrophic destruction across the Florida Panhandle, including Gulf County. Homes were damaged or destroyed, businesses closed, tourism fell sharply, and many property owners sustained years of ongoing financial hardship from repair costs, insurance disputes, and displacement.
If your ongoing mortgage difficulty traces to Hurricane Michael -- whether from property damage, lost income, insurance gaps, or displacement costs -- that hardship can be documented and submitted with a loan modification application. For general loan modification information, see our Florida loan modification guide. For forbearance options, see our guide to forbearance exit options in Florida.
USDA Rural Development Loan Assistance for Gulf County
Gulf County is a USDA-eligible rural area, and many homes in Wewahitchka and surrounding communities qualify for USDA Rural Development Section 502 Direct and Guaranteed loans. USDA-specific loss mitigation programs include:
- Forbearance of up to 12 months for temporary hardships
- Loan modification -- interest rate reduction, term extension, or both -- to permanently lower the monthly payment
- Reamortization of delinquent amounts into the loan balance
- Mortgage Recovery Advance -- a one-time advance of up to 24 months of delinquent payments added to the loan balance to bring the account current
Contact your USDA loan servicer directly or the USDA Rural Development Florida State Office to inquire about these options. A HUD-approved housing counselor can also help you navigate USDA loss mitigation at no cost.
Selling Before Foreclosure in Gulf County
If your home is worth more than you owe, selling before the foreclosure completes is usually your best financial outcome. Gulf County attracts buyers interested in rural land, waterfront properties along the Dead Lakes or Apalachicola River system, and Gulf Coast vacation properties near the pristine beaches around Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas.
For information on the pre-foreclosure sale process, see selling before the foreclosure sale in Florida. For guidance on listing a home with an active lis pendens, see selling a house with a lis pendens in Florida.
Short Sale for Underwater Gulf County Homeowners
If your mortgage balance exceeds your home's market value, a short sale allows you to sell at market value with lender approval. When negotiated properly, the lender's approval letter includes a full deficiency waiver under Florida Statute §702.06, so the lender cannot pursue you for the remaining balance.
For the full Florida short sale process, see our Florida short sale guide. For information on deficiency judgments, see our Florida deficiency judgment guide.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy as a Foreclosure Stop
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing immediately stops a foreclosure through the automatic stay and allows you to repay past-due amounts over three to five years while keeping your home. For Gulf County homeowners, cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida (Tallahassee or Pensacola division). See our guide on Chapter 13 bankruptcy to stop foreclosure in Florida.
Free Resources for Gulf County Homeowners
Several organizations provide free assistance to qualifying Gulf County homeowners:
- Three Rivers Legal Services -- serves Florida Panhandle counties including Gulf County; free civil legal assistance for qualifying homeowners
- HUD-approved housing counselors -- free statewide mortgage counseling by phone; see our guide to HUD-approved foreclosure counseling in Florida
- Florida Housing HAF Program -- (833) 987-8997 -- Homeowner Assistance Fund may provide direct financial assistance to qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure
Contact Barrett Henry
Barrett Henry is a REALTOR and Broker Associate at REMAX Collective with 23+ years of real estate experience. His direct service area covers the greater Tampa Bay region. For Gulf County homeowners in Wewahitchka and surrounding communities, he provides free consultations and connects you with knowledgeable referral partners serving the Florida Panhandle.
Call (813) 761-0133 for a free consultation with no obligation. Under the MARS Rule (12 C.F.R. §1015), no upfront fees are ever charged for short sale counseling or assistance.
After a foreclosure or short sale closes, see our guide on buying a home after foreclosure in Florida for information on waiting periods and rebuilding your credit.
