"As the economy gets worse, keeps dwindling, my unemployment insurance will be running out in March," said Jon Christenson from Madera.
Tony Farmer from Madera said, "I've lost my house to foreclosure; I filed a bankruptcy to try to stop the foreclosure."
These lawyers travel all over the state of California providing free legal council. One alarming trend that they've noticed is the number of people filing for bankruptcy. In fact nearly 30,000 people or businesses filed for bankruptcy in the Central Valley and Sacramento in 2009. That's up nearly 48% from 2008.
"With the tide of foreclosures and these mortgages that are so difficult for people to pay that brought on a lot of consumer debt issues," said Julie Ingram who leads the volunteer law student program.
Ingram said before these seniors decide to file for bankruptcy an attorney will evaluate their financial situation.
"The attorney will then recommend based on that clients situation in life if bankruptcy is the right option for them," said Ingram.
Seniors Action News spoke to like Christenson said they are eager to solve their financial worries. "What I want to see is what they can offer here. And I was really pleased to see that they are going to do this."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Central California Legal Services
http://www.centralcallegal.org
Law Help California
LawHelpCalifornia.org
