Free Legal Help For Washington State Low & Middle Income Homeowners In Danger Of Foreclosure Available Thru State Bar Association

In Seattle, Washington, The Seattle Times reports:

• The Washington State Bar Association has launched a program to provide free legal help to low- and middle-income people in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Homeowners who call a toll-free number will be referred to volunteer attorneys in their communities who are trained to deal with foreclosure-related issues.

• The bar association started recruiting and training lawyers for the program May 1, said Judy Berrett, director of member and community relations. So far, more than 270 have signed up. The statewide program began accepting clients this week.

***

• Free foreclosure legal aid already is available to homeowners whose annual incomes fall below 200 percent of the federal poverty level through the nonprofit, government-funded Northwest Justice Project, a partner in the bar association's initiative. The new program will serve homeowners with incomes as high as 400 percent of the poverty level, or about $88,000 for a family of four.

• But Lily Sotelo, of the Northwest Justice Project said the program will indirectly help homeowners of all income levels, by boosting the number of lawyers with expertise in such areas as predatory lending and foreclosure-rescue scams.

For the story, see Free legal aid available for low-, middle-income homeowners facing foreclosure (Many homeowners facing foreclosure can get free legal help from a program launched this week by the Washington State Bar Association).

Information for Lawyers:

• Training Videos and Resources,
• Frequently Asked Questions - General,
• Frequently Asked Questions - Conflicts of Interest.