2022 BLOG ONE

This Blog is for general information purposes only and does not contain nor constitute legal advice nor representation.

The Financial Distress Clinic is a program run by the Community Legal Services and the Volunteer Lawyers Program (“CLS/VLP”).  The program is directed to those individuals with low income who are facing financial distress. CLS/VLP gathers the individual’s financial information and provides it to the volunteering attorney who then confirms the individual’s current economic situation, and discusses with the individual his/her options,  what collection actions can be taken against them, the positives/negatives to filing bankruptcy, all other related topics (i.e., FDCPA, exemptions, etc.) as may be needed; and, ultimately, what is their best course of action.

A significant percentage of the individuals who come to the Clinic have neither sufficient assets nor income to be subject to collection enforcement and, therefore, bankruptcy may not be their best course of action. Even in such situation, the Clinic meeting is beneficial. The individual knows that someone listened to them and their concerns, ascertained what the consequences are, and received guidance to determine the course of action to take. The foregoing results in comfort to the individual, as well as aiding in reducing the fear associated with facing the legal system. 

The Clinic is one (1) night a month. The Clinic is handled telephonically. The average telephone meeting lasts about 20-to-30 minutes. If bankruptcy representation is needed, CLS will oversee obtaining counsel to handle the matter.