The writing is on the wall. The only way you are going to get through this rough patch is by filing bankruptcy. Hiring a bankruptcy attorney is expensive - an expense that is hard to manage when a person can't even pay to put a roof over their head and groceries in the refrigerator?



Believe it or not, there is free bankruptcy help available. It is just a matter of knowing where to look.

Before we dig into these sources of free help, it is important to know that lawyers have a professional responsibility to provide legal services to clients who are unable to pay. In the legal profession, services provided for free are typically referred to as pro bono. The American Bar Association recommends that attorneys provide fifty hours of pro bono work each year.

With this fact in mind, one way to find free bankruptcy help is to simply ask. Explain your financial situation to your lawyer, and then ask if he or she would be willing to take on your case pro bono. If the answer is no, all is not lost! Your attorney should be able to provide you with names of other lawyers or organizations in your area that may help.

Another good source of referrals for free bankruptcy help are your state and county bar associations. You should be able to find the contact information for your state and county bar associations by looking in your local phone book or by searching online. Many have their own pro bono programs, as well as maintain lists of organizations in your area that provide assistance.

Unfortunately, you simply may not qualify for pro bono assistance. If you cannot find free bankruptcy help, you do have other options:

1. Payment plans - When you are looking to hire a bankruptcy lawyer, ask if they require a full fee retainer or if they will break down the fee into manageable monthly payments. Payment plans give you the opportunity to hire a bankruptcy lawyer without a large upfront payment.

2. Tax refunds - If you are anticipating a tax refund, you may be able to use all or a portion of it to retain a lawyer.

3. Borrow from a close friend or relative - You may not want to borrow money from friends and family members, but sometimes that is the only way out of debt. However, a close friend or relative may be willing to help you get your fresh start by lending you the money needed for the attorney's fees.

In addition to the fees charged by your lawyer, you will also be required to pay a filing fee to the bankruptcy court, as well as additional costs for pre-bankruptcy credit counseling and pre-discharge debtor education classes. Depending on your financial situation, some or all of these fees may be waived.

Don't let your finances prevent you from getting the legal relief you need to move forward with your life. When you need it most, free bankruptcy help is there.