Just a sad comment about NJ legal aid

[159515951]

I wouldn't say they're not helping those who need it...sounds like they're swamped doing just that.

[Pjmax]

Thanks for the info, AngelinaCat. In reality, there aren't that many steps. The judgement creditor only has to petition the judge for permission to clean out my bank acct. (and most likely they'd hit on direct deposit day,) take my car, or come into my house to see if I have anything. Also, in reality, I should be able to attend the hearing and state my case. However, I have been unable to attend 2 motion hearings because dates were changed and no one told me. The court says 'you should have received a postcard.' I didn't in one case, and in the other, it arrived two days after the hearing, which had been moved up a month. Could I have fought this? Probably, but it was the court's mistake, and just try and find someone (lawyer) to help if one is not already representing you.
I don't see any positive reasons to postpone filing, it's really been 3 1/2 yrs. coming. It's such a relief just to be able to talk to real people about it all. I'm very grateful to have found this forum.

[Pjmax]

159515951, I think it's partly that, partly budget cuts, and also maybe dependent on when school is in session and how many students signed up for it. I looked up the Rutgers program, it appears to be a Rutgers Law School student training project. Seems kind of like getting a haircut at the local beauty school, except your hair will always grow out.
I may be wrong, but that's what I was able to find out.

[keepsmiling]

Keep your SS in a separate account. They cannot garnish or seize that money (at least, not legally). Can it be put on a debit card?
And start thinking about getting your other money out of the bank. CYA til this is over.

How much did the guy you met with today want for a bk? You should be a quick slam dunk.

[Pjmax]

The only money going into my bank account are direct deposits from unemployment and soc. sec. I was told months ago that as long as I don't deposit money from any other source (co-mingle), they shouldn't be able to touch it. That may be true, but I don't believe someone won't try to do it anyway. I have been on a payment plan with the judgement creditor who is the only one with the power at the moment. The payments (probably just one more) will stop as soon as I can narrow down a filing date. Not the same as not paying cc bills.
The money is not sitting there earning interest, it goes out pretty fast. Even so, I will be using cash a lot more. I think it might be a fine line though, withdrawing cash and not showing a lot of withdrawals on my bank statement.
The guy today said $1100 including the filing fee. He basically said he doesn't have to do much besides input my info into the computer. He was kind of joking, because I had all my info so organized. Everytime he said 'you'll also need x copies of something,' I'd have it out of my folder before he finished.
The lawyer I'm meeting Thurs. is from a larger firm with 4 or 5 offices, one of which is nearby. I did notice a number of BK firms with offices here (Northfield specifically.) I thought that was kind of odd, but Lawyer today said hearings are held in Northfield now, not just in Camden.
Sorry if I'm babbling on, and I do so appreciate the help, and the chance to talk about it.

[Pjmax]

Just thought I would mention, in case it might apply to someone else; the IRS can levy anything, social security included. 10%.

[keepsmiling]

1100 including fee (which is about 300) is the cheapest I have heard in NJ.
Schedule a few other appts tho, just to see what your options are. Maybe some firms are due for some pro bono work.
I didn't realize you were already paying on the judgment. Now I see why you want to get moving.

[Pjmax]

$1100 is a discounted price. He is giving me a break. Cheap isn't everything, of course.
It's not just the judgement payments, I expect more very soon. I really should have filed a year ago.

[BKAttyMI]

Comment on Legal Aid - I DO take pro bono cases through Legal Aid and just walk-ins that need help. My state does NOT require we do any pro bono work at all, and most attorneys do none. I have found that my pro bono clients are the least appreciative, least responsive and most time consuming. Seriously, the less people pay, the more service they seem to think they deserve? It's a shame, I became an attorney to help people, but the people themselves keep me from helping them and others like them. So disappointing. When you're in law school you imagine all the people you'll help and how grateful they'll be, just not my real world experience at all.

[Pjmax]

BKattyMI, I'm sorry about your experience. I'm sure you've helped more people than you realize. I thank you for your efforts. My comments were in no way meant to take away from all the wonderful pro bono work you and many others do.

I was just talking about my experience and what I've learned about NJ's BK pro bono. As a follow-up, the lawyer I met with yesterday, works on this program. I was correct about it being based on the number of law students who volunteer and when school is in session. Those who sign up are assigned 2 clients. Also, the wait list time according to legal aid is not 6-8 months; it's more like a year and a half. I looked into the legal aid options because, 1. I would qualify, 2. If the services were available free or even a reduced cost, it's always worth looking into. This won't work for me, but I am passing on the info to other New Jerseyans who may be in a similar situation.

I will be paying. In about 6 weeks (unemployment ends,) my monthly income will be $997, and of course, I'd rather have a good job, but I still think I'm lucky in many ways. There are so many who are much worse off than me. I will take your comments to heart, when working with my lawyer. Both attys. I spoke with quoted reduced rates and I am ever so grateful. I am doing as much prep work as I can do myself, and I will do my best and hope my lawyer doesn't regret working with me on reduced funds.

Thank you for your insight.

[Pjmax]

Comment on Legal Aid - I DO take pro bono cases through Legal Aid and just walk-ins that need help. My state does NOT require we do any pro bono work at all, and most attorneys do none. I have found that my pro bono clients are the least appreciative, least responsive and most time consuming. Seriously, the less people pay, the more service they seem to think they deserve? It's a shame, I became an attorney to help people, but the people themselves keep me from helping them and others like them. So disappointing. When you're in law school you imagine all the people you'll help and how grateful they'll be, just not my real world experience at all.

I've thought more about this and it made me think of work I've done over the years, thinking I'm doing something good, for free or cheap (entirely different line of work,) and I will say I've had similar experiences (least appreciative, more demanding, more work, etc.) I think I'll try and be a little more conscious of not becoming jaded about this. Just thought I'd share.

[lillymarlene]

Comment on Legal Aid - I DO take pro bono cases through Legal Aid and just walk-ins that need help. My state does NOT require we do any pro bono work at all, and most attorneys do none. I have found that my pro bono clients are the least appreciative, least responsive and most time consuming. Seriously, the less people pay, the more service they seem to think they deserve? It's a shame, I became an attorney to help people, but the people themselves keep me from helping them and others like them. So disappointing. When you're in law school you imagine all the people you'll help and how grateful they'll be, just not my real world experience at all.

I'm sure you've helped more people than you think, too. Summer of 2010, I knew I'd soon have to do something. I was getting continual phone calls, my mail box was jammed with late notices, and a couple of creditors were suing me. I was also brought up in the type of family, that you didn't "go bankrupt." No matter what, you just tried to work things out with your creditors.

But then my boyfriend's family finally suggested the big "B" word to me, and to go down to my local courthouse since some lawyers offer their services on certain days for free. Well, my BF's family was partly right, there is a "free" day there, but it is just for people caught up in child custody situations, divorces, etc. I didn't know, so I took a number and waited in line and went in to see the attorney.

This did turn out to be worth it. This particular attorney even though he only practiced family law, took the time to explain to me, that especially since I was being sued, I should seriously consider bankruptcy. He also gave me the name of someone. It doesn't seem like much, but this was a big help in pointing me in the right direction.

[tomnikids3]

New York is not much better unless you live in the 5 boroughs. I live in Orange County and theres nothing up here, legal aid is not taking any more bankruptcy cases, as far as assistance in filing pro se, there is a 3-4 month waiting list, so im going to wing it cross my fingers, toes and eyes and go pro se.

[Pjmax]

Hi Tomnikids, you might try a couple of attorneys in your area. First consultations are usually free, and you may find one that will cut you a break on the bill. I found one that discounted his charges considerably. I am going with someone else who is charging more (but very reasonable) and I can pay him over a few months which works great for me.
Free consults are worth the time, you can ask questions and get some good advice. Even if you do end up going it solo, if you run into problems, you will have a list of people you've already checked out. Make appts. with several. I did on the advice of the good people here, and I'm glad I did.
...and good luck to you!

[tomnikids3]

Thanks Pjmax, actually i have consulted with an attorney and he had given me a good amount of information, i also got the book How to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy, from the library. Its the 2009 edition but looks like a lot of the infomation is still up to date. I really dont have the money to pay for an attorney and I spoke to one that takes money in payments but your case cant be filed till its paid in full and i dont have the luxury of time. I also called the Bankruptcy court today and spoke with someone that says if you go to the courthouse early in the morning someone is there to help you put everything in order and make sure you have all the documentation. So im prepared to do myself and treat this forum like the valueable tool that it is.