Bankruptcy continues to be an ongoing problem for low-income individuals in Florida and across the nation. In 2018, over 750,000 individuals filed personal bankruptcies in the United States.1 In the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida, which includes Jacksonville, over 23,000 individuals filed cases.2 This accounted for 3 percent of the total bankruptcies in the U.S. in 2018.
Three Rivers Legal Services (TRLS) recently launched a new initiative funded by the Florida Bar Foundation called Fresh Start. The Fresh Start program provides resources for TRLS to add a bankruptcy attorney and a paralegal to their organization, and facilitate pro bono attorneys to better aid eligible clients with the bankruptcy and debt restructuring process. It will serve ten counties in Northeast Florida.
Role of the Fresh Start Initiative
Bankruptcy is a tool established by the law to help businesses and individuals remove or restructure debt. The goal of bankruptcy is to provide a fresh start for debtors so that creditors cannot pursue debt collection after reconciliation of the financial settlements under the law.
That being said, the bankruptcy process is very complex and often requires legal assistance to get it right. Protection in the form of bankruptcy requires the ability to file the right paperwork and closely follow the legal procedures. That’s where TRLS and Fresh Start come in.
The Fresh Start initiative seeks to increase bankruptcy resources for TRLS to help Florida residents manage the complex bankruptcy process. The additional attorney will help eligible clients complete the in-depth bankruptcy paperwork, as well as represent clients in court.
However, the Fresh Start program does much more than help us find talented pro bono attorneys – it can also help restructure your debt or get rid of it altogether, and help with issues like preventing vehicle repossession, securing lower car payments or avoiding foreclosure of your home by utilizing the mortgage modification mediation program or creating a payment plan to become current in your mortgage or tax deed payments. These and other interventions protect your interests according to the legal bankruptcy process.
You don’t have to navigate your bankruptcy alone. The Fresh Start program equips TRLS with the resources we need to successfully guide you through the bankruptcy process and get your own fresh start.
Busiest Times of Year for Bankruptcies
Did you know that August and December are the busiest times of year for bankruptcy filings? The December holiday season and August’s back-to-school responsibilities create pressure to buy and, therefore, often contribute to further debt. People often use credit to purchase gifts, clothing, school supplies and other items. For families already living on the financial edge, this can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
The result is an increase in bankruptcies. When individuals or families can’t meet their financial obligations, they risk losing their vehicle or home. Thankfully, bankruptcy offers some people the opportunity to wipe the slate clean.
Fresh Start at Three Rivers Legal Services
We are proud and grateful to launch the Fresh Start initiative at TRLS and open the door to financial protection for many Florida residents by assisting those in need with the complex bankruptcy process. This means more Florida families will be able to keep their homes and transportation, or avoid some garnishments, by receiving the financial protection they need to meet their basic daily needs.
To volunteer as a pro bono attorney with TRLS or to learn more about our Fresh Start program, visit our website or contact us today.
Sources:
- United State Courts, “June 2018 Bankruptcy Filings Fall 2.6 Percent.” 2018.
- United States Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida, “Year to Date Filing December 2018.” 2018.