Pro Bono, Payment Plan Lawyers

[catwhisperer]

Catwhisperer here,
You all have been highly recommending a lawyer - our case is way too complicated. We cannot afford one! Does anyone know of a place to find a pro bono lawyer (apparently they are required to do some each year???) or know how to approach one or get one to accept a payment plan

[lrprn]

Cat, If I were you, I'd make appointments with at least five bankruptcy-specialty lawyers in your area that give free initial consultations, bring all your personal and business information and figures with you each time, and ask the lawyer about what payment options might be able to be arranged because you don't have any ready cash at the moment. (Btw, if you are still paying your non-secured creditors, stop paying them right now and use that money to retain your lawyer of choice instead. Check out the 'sticky' here about what to look for when hiring a lawyer.)

You have to get moving now because if you don't, it will be too late and you will lose your house and cars along with the potential for your future wages to be garnished (if you live in a state that allows that) and any non-exempt property to be seized for years to come until the whole debt is finally paid off.

If you live near or in a city, Legal Aid is an option - their fee structure is based on what you can pay - but the lawyers there may not be very knowledgeable about bankruptcy so that's a risk in a case as complex as yours.

[catwhisperer]

Cat, If I were you, I'd make appointments with at least five bankruptcy-specialty lawyers in your area that give free initial consultations, bring all your personal and business information and figures with you each time, and ask the lawyer about what payment options might be able to be arranged because you don't have any ready cash at the moment. (Btw, if you are still paying your non-secured creditors, stop paying them right now and use that money to retain your lawyer of choice instead. Check out the 'sticky' here about what to look for when hiring a lawyer.)

You have to get moving now because if you don't, it will be too late and you will lose your house and cars along with the potential for your future wages to be garnished (if you live in a state that allows that) and any non-exempt property to be seized for years to come until the whole debt is finally paid off.

If you live near or in a city, Legal Aid is an option - their fee structure is based on what you can pay - but the lawyers there may not be very knowledgeable about bankruptcy so that's a risk in a case as complex as yours.

We have no house - we rent. Our car is a 1993 - they can have it. We are in Pennsylvania and they cannot garnish our wages. I will, however, continue to talk to attorneys.

[catwhisperer]

Oh I just looked that up and answered my own question! PA will only garnish your wages for back taxes or child support.

BUT, they can come to your home to inventory your items to auction to settle a judgement. I think I'd rather go with the wage garnishment! LOL

Yeah, isn't that a kicker! I agree, the garnishment would have been less public!