Larry D. Schaefer and Elaine M. Schaefer v. Dale L. Putnam, Putnam Law Office, and SMP, L.L.C.

ZAGER, Justice.

In this appeal, we are asked to interpret Iowa Code section 654A.6(1) (2009) when a farm creditor, after being sued regarding the validity of its mortgages, brought a counterclaim to foreclose the mortgages without first obtaining a mediation release. Larry and Elaine Schaefer filed suit against their sons, their former attorney, Dale Putnam, a limited liability company, SMP, L.L.C. (SMP), and others. SMP, without first seeking mediation, eounter-claimed to foreclose on a mortgage granted by the Schaefers on their agricultural property. The district court foreclosed the…