Assistance from Volunteers and Nonprofit Organizations
Objections to Discharge Complaints [back]
The district’s first program to assist self-represented debtors began in 1997, when Public Counsel placed debtors with pro bono counsel to represent them in adversary proceedings seeking to deny a discharge. Public Counsel locates pro bono attorneys for non-dischargeability adversary proceedings in both the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley Divisions. The Court sends a notice with each summons, advising the debtor to contact Public Counsel if they need assistance. Income screening is performed by Public Counsel before a volunteer attorney is assigned.
The Public Law Center has provided non-dischargeability defense in the Santa Ana Division on an ad hoc basis when it can locate volunteer attorneys. This program has been in place since November of 1999. The Inland Empire Bankruptcy Forum has also provided non-dischargeability defense on a limited, ad hoc basis when it can locate volunteer attorneys.
Table of Contents (
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- Introduction
- What Do We Know About Self-Represented Parties in our Court?
- How Many Self-Represented Parties Are There?
- Measuring Success
- Language Barriers
- Bankruptcy Petition Preparers
- Income Levels
- Literacy Issues
- Self-Represented Creditors
- Court Resources and the Impact of Large Numbers of Self-Represented Litigants
- Debtor ID Program
- Current Programs and Services for the Self-Represented
- The Court’s Website
- Personal Assistance from Court Staff
- Easy to Understand Forms and Instructions
- Assistance from Volunteers and Nonprofit Organizations
- Honor Roll
- Recruitment and Training of Volunteers
- Funding Sources for Non-Court Services
- Current Projects “Under Construction”
- Pathfinder Electronic Filing Project
- Proof of Service
- Video Instruction
- Future Surveys
- Call Center/Internet Live Chat
- Goals/Conclusion
- Exhibits