Pursuant to D. Conn. Local Bankr. R.  9083-6, the Connecticut Bar Association’s Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section has formed a panel of volunteer attorneys to represent needy and qualified individuals or married spouses pro bono in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, contested matters, and adversary proceedings.

 

For the Public

I. The Program is Comprised of Attorneys Who Have Volunteered Their Time to Assist Indigent Individuals in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cases and Statewide Legal Services of CT, Inc. Aids in the Pro Bono Program Administration

Pursuant to D. Conn. Local Bankr. R.  9083-6, the Connecticut Bar Association’s Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section has formed a panel of volunteer attorneys to represent needy and qualified individuals or married spouses pro bono in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, contested matters, and adversary proceedings.  This Pro Bono Program is administered by the Panel Administrator, which will review your electronic Application (as defined in Section 2), and if you qualify for representation, conditionally refer you to a volunteer attorney.

The Panel Administrator oversees this program and works with Statewide Legal Services of CT, Inc. (“SLS”) to administer the program.  SLS is a nonprofit legal aid advice and referral organization that helps low-income individuals in Connecticut solve their civil legal needs.

Applications for pro bono counsel by qualified individuals that meet the criteria for the program are submitted to and reviewed by SLS who will then coordinate the referral of the pro bono counsel to the pro bono applicant.  Pro bono applicants should anticipate that they will communicate with representatives from SLS regarding questions concerning their Application and the program.

II. Only Indigent Individuals Who Meet Certain Criteria Will Qualify to be Considered for Referral for Potential Assistance

To be considered for referral of pro bono counsel you must FIRST satisfy three tasks:

  1. Reasonably attempt to retain in good faith at least two bankruptcy attorneys in Connecticut on terms you can reasonably afford;

  2. Fully and accurately complete, sign, and date the digital application (the “Application”) through the SLS website accessed by clicking the link below; and

  3. Demonstrate that you meet the program’s income and asset eligibility criteria in your completed Application verified under oath.

III. Financial Standards May Not Be Exceeded in Order to Potentially Qualify for Pro Bono Assistance

To be eligible and satisfy the financial limitations qualification, an individual and their household must satisfy the following criteria:

  1. All income and benefits you receive and that others in your household receive total less than 150 percent of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines for your household size.  The HHS poverty guidelines are adjusted annually and are available at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines; and

  2. The value of assets you own, or you and your spouse own, is within the limits described below:

  1. General assets: The value of your general assets, or equity in those assets after subtracting the value of mortgages or liens on that property, must total $5,000 or less in value.  Assets include but are not limited to cash, deposits, stocks, certificates of deposit or similar cash equivalents, tax refunds, real estate, time shares, automobiles, jewelry, causes of action, or any other property of value, wherever located but exclude wearing apparel and reasonably necessary household goods.  Also qualified retirement accounts as described below and motor vehicles are not included as general assets but count for qualification as described in the next two paragraphs; and,

    

  2. Motor Vehicles: An individual may have one motor vehicle with value of up to $3,500, or equity in a motor vehicle after subtracting the balance on your car loan, and each debtor in a married couple may have a car of such value; and,

    

  3. Retirement Funds: Individuals or married couples with a total up to $10,000 in their qualified retirement accounts.  Qualified retirement accounts include any funds constituting an Individual Retirement Account, 401(k), 403(b), or any other similar retirement account exempt from taxation and qualified under the Internal Revenue Code.

IV. Your Agreement

By clicking on the Application link below, you agree to be bound by the terms of the Application and the terms and conditions set forth in Sections I-V on this webpage including but not limited to this Section IV.  A more complete summary of the pro bono program, your responsibilities, waivers, eligibility requirements, and other terms and conditions of the program are set forth in the Application and you consent to them voluntarily once an Application has been submitted on your behalf.  You understand and agree that the Connecticut Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association’s Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section (including any individual member or subcommittee thereof), and any Panel Administrator (including any individual attorney serving as a member of the Panel Administrator) and Statewide Legal Services of CT, Inc. shall have no liability or responsibility to you for any appointment of pro bono counsel or any action or omission of pro bono counsel that is appointed or offered for your benefit, and that they shall NOT be responsible for supervising or monitoring pro bono counsel and shall have no responsibility to any applicant or to any individual who has received or requested pro bono counsel assistance.  You waive your privileges of attorney/client confidentiality to the extent necessary for a referred attorney and/or the Panel Administrator and SLS to disclose your financial affairs regarding your continuing eligibility or lack thereunder this pro bono program or to allow your counsel to be relieved from representation.

V. The Application

Your Application must be signed by you, or both of you if a married couple, under penalty of perjury.  In the event that you initially are referred to pro bono counsel, the attorney conditionally referred to represent you may determine that he or she cannot do so for some reason, or that it is not in your best interest to file a petition under Chapter 7.  The Panel Administrator cannot assure you that an attorney will be available to assist you even if you qualify for pro bono services.  Likewise, referral of pro bono counsel does not relieve you of the obligation to pay any court filing fee or necessary expenses. 

By clicking on the link below, you will be sent to the SLS website to begin the application process.

Apply Now