Is anyone here s**t poor? - Page 12

damn right - after my period of unemployment a few years ago I had a chunk of debt and finished paying it off this november. huge improvement in life. keep up thje good work, it is right around the corner.

Yes. It feels great to be in control of your money and finances, instead of the other way round.

Great job guys!

... that was rude.

The US is still white? Who knew?

You need to get that looked at. I've *lived* s**t poor many times. Ironically getting paid very well for it. Beyond that - no, never been s**t poor.

Too big to fail?

FTFY.

Astan, I was sort of in a similar situation as you, having just taken and passed the Bar exam this past July. If your weekdays are currently free, something you might want to try is hanging around your local municipal/city court (or even state court) during sessions of criminal appearances. Wear a suit, bring business cards, have pens and paper, etc. at the ready. You can very likely pick up some clients with extremely simple (to you) legal problems. I'm talking about simple misdemeanors like simple possession of marijuana, criminal trespassing, things like that. Offer to represent them for a flat rate, say, something like $300-$500. Don't try to bite off more than you can chew with a charge that will result in a full-blown trial if you enter a not guilty plea, as you won't be able to afford it.

The first time I did this, I agreed to represent a guy facing a trumped-up criminal domestic violence charge for a flat $500. He didn't have much money, but he paid me $200 up front and then $50 a month until the balance was paid. I basically interviewed him, the complainant (his fiancee), and talked the prosecutor into deferring his case for 90 days and then dismissing it, and modifying the conditions of his bond. It really isn't very difficult for someone who isn't a complete legal idiot. It's not glamorous by any means, but you're also likely to make valuable connections with other lawyers or get referrals from your clients. With these types of cases, the prosecutors want to get them off their docket just as much as the defendant wants them to go away. Anyway, something to think about.

To the OP, I think you might want to re-think your spending habits if you're buying C&Js and "bespoken" shirts, while having barely enough money to eat on a weekly basis.

Some great stories here. I'm fortunate enough not to have ever come remotely close to living the way some of you have, but the stories are inspiring just the same.

OT (maybe this belongs in the divoce sucks thread):

My father once did this. He cleared up his 40k line of credit by dutifully paying a 800 every month. After separation (but not yet divorce) with my mother, she went behind his back and bought an SUV, using up the whole thing. He got a call from the bank a couple months afterwards asking why he wasn't making payments on his line of credit anymore and he told them that it was because it was all paid off. They told him it was maxed out.

Ouch.

Same. The good times started rolling in a few years after I was born. I dunno how my dad dealt with the bullshit that he had to growing up, but either way I'm thankful for all he's given our family.

Honestly, I don't know what to do. I am worried that if they see a year gap i employment on my resume people will start asking questions but I'm not the only one. The legal profession here was toasted, burned to a crisp and annihilated by the recession. I wanted to do contract law or some tort law, really anything except bankruptcy and criminal.

Take out the pregnant part and change the kid's age to 9 and that pretty much sums up my current situation.

If you entertain the idea of doing low level criminal work, you must do this stuff first so as not to fuck it up:

1. Watch a few day's worth of local criminal dockets and learn the customary litanies (advisement of rights and so forth on the record) that you'll need to make.

2. Read the rules of pro res concerning when representation starts, ends, and what your duties are. How does representation work when grandma pays you to rep junior? Think really hard abut this shit.

3. Create a written fee agreement based on models you find in the law library. Get motherfuckers to sign it before you start lawyering.

4. Then get money up front. All of it.

5. Don't promise shit about the outcome of court shit.

6. Establish a good system for keeping your case files.

7. Look for conflicts of interest and do not put yourself in a conflict situation that wasn't or can't be waived.

8. Handle money with terrific care and in precise accord with the rules. Fucking this up is how you get disbarred.

9. Make sure you do not rely on your client's version of the facts of his case or on his recollection of his criminal record.

10. Always talk to the cops who did the arrest. Be sure to tell them you think your client is an asshole.

11. Act like you know everything and everyone at all times.


PS I had a client go down for 6 years today on an assault! He actually drove to court and walked in the front door a free man. He left by the back door, wearing cuffs. My original guess was that his was a probation case. I did everything right. Judge got it wrong. What made it OK is that I was not late for my 2pm squash court reservation.

I know, what the fuck?