… of an attorney.  And while there are lawyers and centers committed to helping the nation’s poor fight foreclosure, many of these legal assistance centers are overwhelmed.

The article said:

“A study to be released today by the Brennan Center for Justice found that many people now face complicated foreclosure proceedings with “no opportunity to obtain help from a lawyer…”It’s overwhelming how many people don’t have representation,” says Melanca Clark, a Brennan Center …

Tags: Lawyers and Law Firms Poor Public Interest

Permalink: /filing_bankruptcy/the-poor-often-face-foreclosure-alone/

… surveyed by the American Bar Association said they would support increased federal funding for poor people needing legal assistance. Currently there is legislation making its way through Congress to increase legal aid funding for the poor.

The article said: Legislation introduced in March by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, would nearly double the budget for Legal Services, which Congress created 35 years ago, and lift restrictions on the kinds of cases legal aid lawyers can file. …

Permalink: /breaking-news/more-legal-aid-for-the-poor/

… have bad credit.  However, if they were challenged in a court, they would need to prove that your poor credit demonstrated that you would not be able to properly perform you duties.

Before you begin your job search, order all three of your credit reports. Remember, you are entitled to one free credit report a year.  Once you receive your credit report, review it closely. If the credit report reveals blemishes such as delinquencies and defaults, you need to develop an explanation for …

… According to an article in the Dallas Morning News, drivers and homeowners in North Texas with poor credit ratings pay an average of 35 percent more for insurance coverage than those with good credit – even when driving records and recent damage claims on homes are identical.

The article said:

“Rates submitted by the 35 largest auto insurers show that all but two use credit history to help decide whom to sell insurance to and how much to charge. Some companies double the rates for …

… , it will not improve the job market, it will not put food on the table of America’s poor and finally it will probably not have any long-term positive affect on the state of the economy.

Something to think about–If we did not have the $8,000 tax credit (which expires December 1, 2009), it is very likely that many of those new homebuyers would not have purchased new homes. Those new purchases are helping to increase the profits of the mortgage industry, the same mortgage …

… current on home and car loans if you want to keep the property.

4.  Bankruptcy is only for poor people, or unscrupulous consumers who want to “game the system.”

This is another completely false statement.  Bankruptcy is one of the rights granted to U.S. citizens under the Constitution, and it is a completely valid process for those who need it.  While the vast majority of people truly want to pay off their debts on their own, the plain truth of the matter is that life …

… and initial claims in Texas are higher than they’ve ever been.  With an insolvent fund and poor economy, the unemployment benefits system can only support claimants for a limited amount of time.  Although this may see unthinkable, it is not improbable that the emergency extension granted by the government could end and be rolled back to initial 26 weeks.  Or, that it could become more difficult to file unemployment and get benefits even if you think you qualify. Be prepared for …

… on Dec. 4, 2005.

The article said:

“Her 57-year-old husband, Stanley, was already in poor health from a heart attack years earlier that also had left him on disability… Stanley McLeod had a heart attack while working at Sears in 1997, Howard said, and was never able to work full-time again. The family eventually fell behind on payments on their manufactured home in Keystone Heights near Gainesville.”

Some of the harassing creditor calls are recorded on the family’s …

… rate hit 19 percent, or 14.1 million youngsters in 2008. That means 35.3 percent of the nation’s poor in 2008 were under age 18.”

The foreclosure crisis and the high levels of job losses are two of the leading factors of the nation’s increased levels of poverty.  Many Americans are filing for bankruptcy to save their homes and receive relief from credit card debt; but many are still falling below the poverty level because of the lack of jobs with living wages. Many analysts …

We’ve all heard the saying that the best offense is good defense.  The same goes with student loans .  The best offense is to be defensive in applying for student loans.  Historically, students and parents borrowed money for a majority of college expenses. However, over the last two years, more parents and students are become more prudent in their choices regarding college to alleviate …

Comment by michael: … teaching in a poor school district and others are too …

The Consumer Law & Policy blog has a very revealing article about a judge in Indiana that took it upon herself to give indigent debtors a choice–”pay up” or “go to jail.”

The blog writer provided the transcript of an exchange between the debtor and the judge:

The Court: “So we’re here today for you to explain what you’re going to do to pay this off.”

Mr. Button: …

Comment by Salerino: … his own food! Poor guy! Hey you Judgewhy didnt you …

… can afford.  Don’t put yourself in the position of being house (or apartment) rich but money poor.  Buying the biggest and best house you can qualify for is never a good idea unless you truly need the space and make well above and beyond the monthly mortgage payment, along with other living expenses.  Even then, be honest with yourself.  Are you just trying to keep up with the Joneses?  Your wallet is not going to thank you in the long run.

7.  Don’t cosign or guarantee loans …