(Name changed for privacy; photo not the client)
“Lorraine,” a part-time caregiver of her grandchild, was already struggling to pay her bills each month when her wages started being wrongfully garnished for an alleged debt of $11,762.49. In addition to her regular expenses, she had undergone five eye surgeries, making her financial situation more burdensome. Because some of her wages were being withheld, Lorraine couldn’t pay her rent and bills, nor keep food on the table without borrowing money.
After learning of the garnishment, Lorraine filed a motion with the court, correctly asserting her wages were exempt from the garnishment. Unfortunately, due to a clerical error, her motion was not heard for nearly two years, and part of her wages were still withheld. Eventually, there was a hearing, and the judge ruled in Lorraine’s favor, stating that the creditor was not entitled to garnish her wages, and ordered her money to be returned. At last, after years of financial struggle and losing money from her paycheck each month, it seemed like there was light at the end of the tunnel for Lorraine.
However, despite the judge’s order, the creditor refused to return the money. Unable to afford a lawyer, Lorraine reached out to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid for assistance. The attorneys at JALA successfully negotiated the return of every dollar that was garnished from her. Thanks to JALA, Lorraine can now take home her full paycheck and repay the money she borrowed in order to survive during those difficult months.
About Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm focused on delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.
If you are an attorney wanting to volunteer with probate and heirs property issues, contact JALA Pro Bono Director Aaron Irving, at (904) 356-8371, Ext. 363, or Aaron.Irving@jaxlegalaid.org.
###
