Are there any attorneys that will do a pro bono bankruptcy?
I have student loans that add up to 30K+. I have not been able to be able to make payments on it. I have been in a 10 year relationship where I was not allowed to work i.e. I have been isolated. I am getting out of the relationship now. I just got a job that pays minimum wage but I am afraid that my wages are going to be garnished and if they are I will not make enough to live on i.e. I will end up homeless.
I researched bankruptcy and found this http://www.bankruptcyhome.com/studentloans.htm There is a statement there that states that there are three criterion to determine if a person is eligible to have a student loan discharged. I meet all three criterion. I talked to an attorney and he told me that it would cost 00+ for them to help me with a bankruptcy. It seems that the whole point of filing for bankruptcy is that the person is broke and unable to pay the debt…. So, I was hoping that may be there would be an attorney that could help me pro bono.
Thanks to everyone.
We weren’t married. He didn’t/doesn’t want to get married because he was married before … and other excuses he would give me… I was thinking if there was some way I could get some kind of alimony that would help but wouldn’t I need an attorney for that also? There is a law school close by so I may check that out to help me on both issues.
Oh, and he is emotionally abusive so there is no way that I want to stay with him any longer.
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I am a law student, and though I don’t know who, if anyone, will handle bankruptcies pro bono in your area, I have two suggestions. First, were you married in this 10 year relationship? If you were married and your husband was making any $ while you were, as you put it ‘isolated,’ then you should be in a position to get enough alimony to survive. This is one reason why you definitely should get married.
Second, if you live in or near a large city or a college town, you should contact the nearest law school and ask them if they have a bankruptcy clinic. Every decent law school has a clinical program. The law clinic is essentially a free "law firm" that is run by the school and worked by the students. What you’d have is a 3d year law student who handles your case. Most states allow 3d year students at accredited schools to appear in court as if they were attorneys, but they cannot charge you. They do it for the experience, and would probably take your case. I have to warn you, though: student loans are a high priority debt, and so if you do file bankruptcy, it will be hard to get them removed. Your other creditors will not like you for it. Anyway, hope that helps. You’re in a tough situation. If this relationship was what sustained you, then maybe you should try to work it out.
When there’s no ‘bono’ in the pro then there is no incentive for the attorney to do his job- try free legal support if your broke. You have to qualify which it sounds like you would.
bankruptcy is pretty competitive right now. shop around and call a few more places. you might find someone who is willing to do this for less,but not free. it’s a lot of work!