Finding an attorney to assist you with your foreclosure can be a daunting and expensive task. It's important to be aware of all of your options when you are challenged with a notice of foreclosure.
You can proceed pro se, but a better alternative is to seek free legal help. Many states have free legal aid services in every county that will find an attorney to work on your foreclosure case for free. Your eligibility for these services depends on various factors such as: residency, type of residence being foreclosed on, and your family or individual income. Depending on your case, legal aid services can offer any kind of help, from the filling out of court forms all the way to representing your case in court.
Fully represented tenants win or settle their cases 96% of the time. Clients receiving limited representation win or settle their cases 83% of the time. Tenants with full representation were twice as likely to stay in their homes or got twice as much time to move, left court without an eviction record, and were four times less likely to use homeless shelters.
In Florida every legal aid firm within the state can set its own eligibility requirements, but the typical household income must be less than $27,000 per year. Some firms will accept a slightly higher income. The following links are some of the free legal aid service providers in Florida:
Legal Services of Greater Miami
Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc.
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida
In Illinois every legal aid firm within the state can set its own eligibility requirements, but the typical household income must be less than $33,000 per year. There are often higher income limits for homeowners at risk of foreclosure, seniors, veterans, people living with HIV, survivors of domestic or sexual violence with legal issues relating to their victimization, and victims of human trafficking. The following links are some of the free legal aid service providers in Illinois:
Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
In New Jersey every legal aid firm within the state can set its own eligibility requirements, but the typical household income must be less than $53,000 per year. The income eligibility for people affected by HIV/AIDS must be less than $115,000 per year. Vulnerable seniors, age 60 or older, are eligible for services regardless of income. The following links are some of the free legal aid service providers in New Jersey:
Central Jersey Legal Services, Inc.
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services
In New York every legal aid firm within the state can set its own eligibility requirements, but the typical household income must be less than $58,000 per year. The following links are some of the free legal aid service providers in New York:
The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, New York
New York Legal Assistance Group
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
In Pennsylvania every legal aid firm within the state can set its own eligibility requirements, but the typical household income must be less than $44,000 per year.
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
You may or may not qualify for free legal aid if you’re a homeowner facing foreclosure. Regardless of your income or ability to pay, you should meet with a foreclosure defense attorney for a free consultation. You may find that the cost of foreclosure defense is very affordable, and find yourself on a path to save your home.