Family Issues Support Group

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feeling overwhelmed

mustanggranny
mustanggranny
Together for 27 years, and my husband is in a real jam! He has overcome an addition but could fast jail time if he can't pay his lawyer! He is angry at me because i won't ask for help from my relatives...i know they don't have it..... Feeling like the bad guy now! Any positive share would be helpful!
pd2012
pd2012
Can you work with the attorney to set up a payment plan? Not sure how he would face jail time if he can't pay his attorney?
mustanggranny
mustanggranny
We have ask for payment arrangement but he wants it all. We tried getting loans but were turned down. :(
deleted_user
deleted_user
You retained an attorney for your husband for criminal court because he did not want to use a public defender. Apparently it allowed him to be home with the ankle bracelet instead of in jail. That attorney costs money, your husband knew that, and that attorney will expect to be paid.

Don't get your family involved because it is not their problem. Your husband should handle all this and call the attorney and work out something with him/her. You did nothing wrong, so don't feel like bad guy.

Take care of yourself. Hugs.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Have to agree this is your husbands problem. Lawyers usually work on retainer only meaning you pay upfront. So I'm guessing that he doesn't have the money to hire this lawyer. His option is to use the public defender. If he has truly changed the public defender will work with the prosecutor to make a deal.
epicjourney
epicjourney
can your husband get a second job? You have nothing at all to feel bad about which is why I would not suggest that you go out and get a second job. Lawyers don't work for free - not even the free ones. Someone pays them. If not the client, then the state pays.

I wouldn't antagonize him, but I would expect him to put his big boy pants on and figure it out. Most people would sell something or get a second job if they couldn't borrow the money. Its not fair to put this burden on your back. good luck -- EJ
mustanggranny
mustanggranny
Feeling better! Thanks for your posts! I will keep my head up and keep praying for a good out come or for strength to carry thru this situation!
epicjourney
epicjourney
another interesting "payment plan" I have heard of recently is the bartering system. Sometimes lawyers will accept a trade for services. Does your husband have construction skills or other services that he can perform? A friend of mine accepted a client fixing his roof in exchange for payment of legal fees. It was a win/win because the client was able to buy supplies for way less than the legal fees and the lawyer's bill was less than roofing estimates he had gotten. Your husband might think about what services he has to offer that the lawyer or someone he knows, could benefit from. Just a thought. --EJ