I really should have known better than to retain a group of faceless attorneys to file my chapter 7 bankruptcy. I was aware that it was a collective effort amongst several lawyers, but what I didn't know is that NO ONE was going to have any clue what so ever as to what was happening with my case. Of course the ignorance only began *after* the fees had been paid in full - they certainly knew every detail up to that point.
I began this process in Feb. Of this year... Now it's August, and after months of unreturned phone calls, and E-mails, the case is still not filed - and the paperwork I sent in was complete, and AIR-TIGHT. I'm still getting hounded by creditors, to whom I give the Legal Helpers information as I was instructed to, but even THEY are not able to get a hold of anyone in the firm.
My list of complaints is endless, but here are a few highlights:
- Took several months and many phone calls for them to update my Address and phone information.By the time the petition made it to my new address, it had been two months from the date it was mailed. This is the same amount of time they give you to review, and correct the petition.
- When I finally did receive the petition, all of the financial information was completely butchered. Every single figure I had given them was incorrectly entered. It was as though it wasn't even mine — but it had my name on it.
- The firm LOST half of the pay stubs I had submitted, along with my tax return. I had to send these multiple times, and yet up till the end of July, I was still getting letters in the mail telling me that they have not received them, and to "submit immediately, or the case will be closed". Each time I call to discuss this, the person on the other end has no idea what I'm referring to.
- When someone from the firm does happen to call me and gets my voicemail, they NEVER leave their name, direct line, or the reason they're calling - just the 800 number. When I call back, the people I speak to, again, have no idea who called me or what it was for.
- Just today someone called from LHs (WOW!) and said that since my husband and I make $80k a year, we probably wouldn't be able to file chapter 7.
Good G*D. If we made 80 grand a year, I would not have even needed to have that conversation because my bills would be paid. Again, NOT the figure I had given them (now multiple times) - and this was coming from the person who is supposed to be filing my case. Later in the day he called back and asked why my husband was out of work on and off over the last year... Um, where did THAT come from??? My husband has *always* had a job, albeit not a high paying one, and all his stubs were in my file. Makes me wonder... One minute we're making a ton of money, and the next - my husband is unemployed. Both totally untrue...
So you see, I am still in the middle of my battle with LHs. I thought lawyers were supposed to HELP, not make things worse. If you're considering filing for Bankruptcy (which is bad enough as it is) go with a private, local attorney that you can speak to face-to-face, and who will answer their phone. They'll probably charge the same, if not less.
0 comments