First off, I will say that all other reports on this website regarding Legal Helpers are 100% true! The rebuttals by the staff is nothing but a sad attempt at damage control, and they don't help anyone. As a matter of fact, they're insulting. The phone number that man gives just rings and rings.
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Let me start at the beginning with an abridged version of my difficulties with this firm...
Making contact with them was a breeze until they received the last fee payment. Suddenly, every person in that firm went deaf, dumb, and blind. No one seemed to know anything about anything. Not unlike other reports, I too could not get them to update my home address for months. I received my petition 2 days before it was due. To add insult to injury, the content of Schedules I and J were horribly inaccurate. I have no idea where these people came up with the numbers they were using. I certainly didn't give them that information (I had to send my pay stubs, and tax information three times before they finally made it to whomever they were supposed to go to). No one in that office seems to have a name, or direct line.
I sent my petition in (on time even given their screw up) along with very detailed corrections for Schedules I and J. Since these were Bankruptcy attorneys - complete with Law Degrees (which I don't have, thus the reason I hired them), and I was paying them, I trusted that this process would be done professionally, and correctly. I never heard from the office after I submitted my petition. I called to discuss my case four times right before my (first) scheduled 341 hearing, but was on hold for no less than 30 minutes each time.
Prior to my 9/23 hearing date, I received a hard copy letter, an E-mail, and a voicemail with the time, date and location of the hearing. Ok. So far so good.
Then I go to the hearing on 9/23. Get to the courtroom, and wait... For 3 hours (in the company of 2 other Legal Helpers clients). FINALLY someone asks what we were there for... And that is when we find out that they no longer use that courtroom for Bankruptcy hearings, and we were supposed to have been in a room down the hall. Needless to say, the hearings were over by the time we got to the correct room.
After a 20 minute conversation with someone on the 888 line who could have cared less about the error that had been made, I was informed that the letter template that they sent out must not have been updated, hence the incorrect room number. I asked if it would be held against me since it was the firm's error and was told 'absolutely not'. Unfortunately, the Trustee stated that he does indeed hold me accountable for missing the hearing. He doesn't care whose error it was. The date was re-scheduled for today. Another day with missed time from work. Great.
So today, I go to the hearing. I find out that no attorney will be present, just a "rep" from Legal Helpers. I didn't even get her name. Go figure.
I get into the room, and see - for the first time - the petition that was filed with the court. It's STILL WRONG! Not only did they not make any of the corrections I had submitted to them, they ADDED things that I don't even have (like child care, and charitable contributions)!! I could not believe it! I literally had an emotional breakdown when I looked at the packet of papers. How could they be so incompetent!?!?!?! Interestingly, the petition would have been in my favor, however being under oath, I could not ethically, or morally allow the meeting to continue.
The Trustee was unsympathetic (not surprisingly), and said that he was motioning for my case to be dismissed based on the incorrect paperwork, AND the fact that I missed the first hearing (because of THEM!). The rep from Legal Helpers did not say one single word in my defense.
After I left the courthouse, I called Legal Helpers' Chicago office. I explained to a woman named "Kayla" what had occurred, and this is what she honest-to-god says to me: "So, what's the problem?" What's the problem? What's the problem??? The problem is that this firm screwed up SO badly that my very simple case (I have nothing - literally) is in danger of being dismissed! She told me that I would "just have to wait" until they get the motion to dismiss from the Trustee, then they'd take care of it. Oh yeah, 'cause I trust them to take care of it. No. No way. I didn't even receive a shadow of an apology.
I'm consulting with a private Attorney (which I can't even afford) to see what my options are if any, and if I can take action against LH to get my money back. I'm also filing a report with the Better Business Bureau, and the Federal Trade Commission, and any other organization that I can possibly complain to.
These people need to be put out of business so that they don't screw over any more defenseless individuals!
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