Hi, I’m a senior citizen and I need help filing for bankruptcy. I’m on a fixed income and just can’t afford to pay for an attorney. I get $820 a month from Social Security and $487 from my late husband’s pension. Has anyone been in this situation or know of any resources that might help? I’m desperate here and just need a way to get the ball rolling.
You might want to check with your local legal aid office. They can offer free representation if you meet certain income requirements. I’ve heard they do this for people in your situation.
I had a similar situation and I was able to find a bankruptcy lawyer who worked with me on a sliding scale, so it wasn’t free but was much cheaper than normal rates. Maybe you could ask around for something like that?
Also, you can check with some local bankruptcy bars—sometimes they offer free consultations or can refer you to someone who will help for free if you meet certain criteria.
Sorry to hear about your situation. Have you considered reaching out to law schools in your area? Sometimes they have clinics where law students handle cases under supervision and it can be free or low cost.
If your income is really low, you might also qualify for public assistance programs that can help with legal fees, even for bankruptcy filings. It might be worth looking into.