Legal Helpers

I enlisted the help of debt resolution after trying myself and getting nowhere with my mortgage to complete a modification. I was hesitant to sign up in the first place, it sounded too good to be true but after my husband had been laid off for a year with the economic downturn, I felt we didn't have a choice. We had spent most of our savings at this point keeping up on our payments. I asked a few questions that seemed unclear and the wrong way to go about things, but the sales person told me not to worry and that was their job to figure it out. I let them take the payments out of our checking account which brought us to a place of no savings left.

During this time, I was told not to contact my mortgage company, that they would handle this part. This went on for one year. They have $4000.00 from me and I have done a ton of paperwork! I finally made a call to my mortgage company and found out that they only contacted them and left a message one time in a year. After firing them and asking for a refund since they did not hold up their end of the contract, they gave me a courtesy refund of $500.00. This is unacceptable! I want all of my money back!

I am so stressed out! I got into this program because it sounded so good. It's all sugar-coated, don't fall for it. Stay away from them! What a big mistake. I'm sending $554 a month for 5 months and have $600 in my account. If the lawyers are taking my money, they should help me. I've been lied to by many employees. Don't try calling them because you'll get left for a message. Good luck! I gave and followed everything I was told to do. They never sent a payment to one of my creditors and now there is a judgment against me with more money due now. So sad with what is happening with this company. Don't fall for it! I don't want an attorney to call me about this complaint because they'll use my money!

I had to go from a 13 to a 7. I used the lawyers in TN. I told them I wanted to keep the older truck. She said I couldn't. I had to keep the new one. I said I couldn't afford it so we went to a chapter 7. I reaffirmed my truck and let the other go back. 3 days later, they picked up my truck saying I had to pay what I was behind on. They had already added it in the reaffirmation.

I called the lawyers and I called Atlanta where there main office is. They yelled at me and said I should have known which I didn't know anything. The lawyers won't call me back. I have no car. I am worse off than I was before I filed. I could have consolidated my credit cards and refinanced my truck. They didn't tell me anything. I asked for my money back so I could get something to drive even the owner of Clark and Washington in at Atlanta won't call me back. I can't get to work or anything. I lost everything else because they didn't know what they were doing.

My wife and I signed up for bankruptcy and were making payments and were told that they could not start any action until the whole amount was paid. We missed one payment by a day and decided to do the bankruptcy on our own since they stopped taking the payments out of our bank. They have sent a letter, charging us with legal fees but have no information on our creditors. They have charged us $350.00 in lawyers' fees and $127.50 in non-lawyers' fees. How can a person be charged for a service they have not received? I have noticed that a lot of people have complaints about them and I think there should be a class action suit against them for fraud and no, I'm not just angry, I'm mad as hell for a company to take advantage of the disadvantaged. They should spend some prison time as well.

Over a year ago, Feb. 2011, I filled out a mortgage help ad on the internet as I was facing foreclosure. I received several cold phone calls from three different companies. I expressed my doubts about asking them for help in the first place and the rep from Macey, Aleman, Hyslip, & Searns assured me that they have worked with my mortgage company and I will be able to keep my home. They even texted me to inform me that I would need to sign their forms electronically and be able to make a $2500.00 up front fee. They told me not to contact my mortgage company as they will be the third party advocate for me now. Since I could not afford the fee upfront, I paid in four installments of $500.00 each. I closed my checking account as I could not afford any more payments to them. During the next 9 months this firm kept in contact with me and never told me of closing my case in October of 2011.

I still have them contacting me in November 2011, wanting the remainder $500.00 so they can get a modification from my mortgage company. After I called my mortgage company and learned they never even contacted them at all this whole time. My money that I paid them did not go to anything. I have filed an FTC claim and have requested a refund as of last week (Feb. 3, 2012). A man named Joe informed me that I would be getting a refund but could not tell me how much; he just gave me some more ** and told me my file is with the accountants and when it is completed I will get a refund in 5 to 10 days. Joe even asked me to tell the FTC that I would be getting my refund. Unfortunately for him I am waiting till I get my full refund of $2000.00 before I call off the dogs, so to speak. Please do not do any business with Legal Helpers Debt Resolution, Macey, Aleman, Hyslip, & Searns, and Macey Law Group or Macey Bankruptcy Law. There could be more entities and I have found bogus BBB reports giving them a B and another BBB report giving them an F with a red alert that they are being investigated by the government.

I hired this legal service to help me with filling a Chapter 7. I paid them 2000 dollars. It took me two years to pay them off to file this case. During these two years, I made monthly payment. But when I could not make them, they called me and charged me for the calls. I would not recommend this company at all. They are a big rip off! They charged me 1135 dollars for 20 phone calls at 6 minutes each call, and for me emailing the things they requested. But never did they file any case for me. But they got the money and refunded me for no real work! I learn a hard lesson.

The lawyer leaked information to victim about what was in Mr. Owen's car. Only the police and the DA knew what was found in car. The lawyer told the victim to say a knife threat was given by the client. The victim said that the client said at preliminary, "Let's fight. Come outside, I have a knife in the car". All this happened at the preliminary trail on December 2010. I am scared of the Pomona Courts now. I have proof that the lawyer told this info. I have a witness as proof! In the police report, the victim said that he did not hear anything. We also have witness that will disagree with what the victim said, they knew it was a lie. To make my court go into a trial, the DA said that to the victim and now he refuses to come out of hiding.

When I approached the victim at the gym, there were six of our friends that we all knew. Matt is my witness that will go to trial and said that he never heard the client say anything about a knife and gun. Max was there, he is a friend of the victim, and he did not hear anything as well nor did Allen. He made the false threat statement. Frank is the boyfriend to the DA witness, who claims that the client made a gun threat and not a knife threat. Bomar, she only claims that I made a gun threat.

Robby and Mark are the LA Fitness staff and they only claim a gun threat was made, not a knife threat. All these witnesses were there and they only claimed a gun threat, not a knife threat. So either the DA told the victim to say it or the La Verne PD told the witness to say these. Why would the DA or the police tell that to the witness? Because no witness came to the first pre-trial. The law states that a witness has up to 7 days to appear before the judge or the case is dismissed. Also, the victim came in street clothes, not in the right attire for a court case. The police picked them both up wherever they were at La Fitness gym.

In April 2007, I went to speak to an attorney about filing for bankruptcy. At that meeting, I paid $100.00 for a retainer and set up the rest of the funds to be taken out of my checking account. After all the funds were taken out, they sent me a packet to fill out (by myself) and send back with a check for $300.00 to file. I never sent the packet back. A few things came up and I never completed the paper work in 2011. I canceled my bankruptcy to be filed (no work had been done other than collecting my money). They told me that it would take 30-45 days to get a refund. I paid them a total of $1,000.00. I received my refund and it was only for $200.00. How can they think that they can keep money for work that they never did? I went over the "charges" and compared them with my phone records. They billed me for calls that I did not place to them. Why would I call? Nothing was turned in so there was no new information that I was trying to get.

I filed a bankruptcy with Legal Helpers that was supposed to be a Chapter 13 based off of the information given to me by the counselor I originally spoken with. I was given false information concerning the income allowed to file a Chapter 7. I paid a total of $1413 to file. I was told I would need only 2 check stubs along with other paperwork to get started. I come to find out after the fact that they actually looked at 6 months' worth of check stubs to determine if you qualify for a Chapter 7.

I, at that point, was told that I made too much money for the year and would have to file a Chapter 13 instead. I was not interested in filing a 13. The entire time I was with Legal Helpers, you could not talk to anyone concerning your case. I was always on hold and when I left messages, I wouldn't receive a call back. Most of the offices are only open 2 days out of the entire week, which made it more difficult to speak to someone. After careful consideration, I decided to cancel my case which is where the real problems started.

My check was supposed to be in my hand no later than 45 days from the date I canceled. Still, waiting almost 2 months later and no one is willing to help me every time I call. What kind of business does not have any available workers on staff to answer important questions? Once I receive my money, they won't have to worry about me again and I will be sure to share my story with anyone considering using this garbage law firm company to settle any debt. They caused more problems then I had before I came to them. It won't happen again!

They stole $1,700.00 of my money. They did nothing and will not return my calls. It's amazing that there are people who prey on people in duress. I would call the police but they are thieves too. This country is doomed. And when it finally goes down, I will be paying my local legal helpers' office a visit.

Hired legal helpers for debt consolidation, paid over $7,000 in 10 months and had no idea they let 3 credit cards go to default until I got summon 3 times. They would call every month and let me know that they have received my payments. I had no idea that all they did was nothing. They told me never to talk to credit card people and just refer them to legal helpers, they said if i negotiated anything, my contract with them would be void. I may have to file bankruptcy now as my credit is ruined. I can't believe they can get away with this.

I retained Legal Helpers to file bankruptcy. However, I ran into a financial difficulty and needed cash right away. I called and wrote a letter, as Legal Helpers requested I do, to refund as much of my payment as they could. I still don't have the check they claim they mailed to me on June 2, 2011. I also asked if they could inquire with their accounting department to see if the check had been returned, deposited, or cashed, and I have heard nothing from them nor their accounting department. It's been since April that I requested the refund, and they haven't been any help to me in finding out exactly what happened and why I don't have the refund.

I was going to file bankruptcy with Legal Helpers. On April 25, 2011, I decided, due to unemployment and being evicted, that bankruptcy wasn't an option at this time. I sent in writing to Legal Helpers letting it be known that I would have to terminate services at this time due to above situation. I was told I would get a refund. These all to check will take 30 to 45 days. During the 30 to 45 days, I would call to check on the amount of my refund, no one would help me or give me any information as far as how much my refund would be.

On June 16, 2011, I received a breakdown letter of all the bogus charges that were applied by Legal Helpers. There was no check, not even half of my money. I was told to send a letter in writing to appeal the charges, after waiting 35 days. Now I have to wait another 30 days because that's how long it take for an appeal.

I solicited the assistance of Macey & Aleman for my bankruptcy in 2008, when I was terminated from my employer due to the harsh economy issues. Since then, I've became ill and decided to apply for Social Security disability. I received a letter from them on 2/16/11, advising me that my filing fees of $300 are required to process the bankruptcy petition and if they didn't hear from me, they would be forced to close my case.

I called and requested to have my case closed and was advised that I would be receiving a refund. When I asked how much the refund amount would be, no one could give me an answer. I paid them $1,595.00 and just received a check today for $682.00 without any explanation as to why they are staying with $913.00. I called today and was advised to send a letter in writing, disputing the refunded amount and that nobody could assist me over the phone with my concern.

I had 2 credit cards that doubled my interest rate to 29.99%, because I was a week late. I almost had to file bankruptcy. Then, I was contacted by a representative of Legal Helpers. They told me how they would be able to help me with my situation. I absolutely believe that I was misled. I did however agree to their phone prompts to start. I have paid them $400 plus for the first 3 months and then $329 a month since. Had I known that they would simply let both accounts go to default, there is no way in the world I would have signed on with them. I did say that I did not understand but agreed to the phone prompts. I have called numerous times to try and get these people to deal with my 2 delinquent accounts. But they told me I have not given enough money. I have paid them for over a year. I need help.

We hired Macey and Aleman to handle our bankruptcy in January 2009. Although they took payments from our account regularly, they refused to talk to creditors. They pushed us into signing a Chapter 7 agreement, when Chapter 13 would have been a better option for us, and refused to change this until paid in full.

In August they decided, without authorization, to deduct the entire remaining balance of their fee from our account. Although we fired them immediately, it took over a month for the unauthorized withdrawal to be returned to us. And these people are not cheap. Their fees were higher than other firms we have researched since.

I paid them $1517.60 to initiate the drawing up of Chapter 13 papers and when I received the papers to review and sign, they had calculated my five-year monthly payments at over twice the amount I would really need to pay, so I wrote and cancelled and asked for a refund. Their postal replies are always form letters. They just basically ignore you. So I suppose the $1517.60 I paid is down the drain. That's what I get for not exploring other options. I would say they are legal hacks and are hard to contact. If you cancel in writing, they have a refund policy based on reasonableness, but don't honor it.

I contacted Legal Helpers via the internet and was referred to a local branch. I went to the local branch and discussed my options. I know for a fact using the means calculator issued by the federal government that I do not qualify for chapter 7. I was told by the attorney/salesman that I should qualify. I opted for the 13 anyway. Their initial down payment needed to start as a client is $100. That amount is non-refundable. I gave them $500 at the initial sit down along with all my banking information. This was on July 21 2010. On August 10th 2010 I decide to cancel their services. I called to find out the procedure and followed the procedure step for step.

Nowhere in the paperwork that I signed does it state that it would take 30-45 to refunded, but in a response to a BBB complaint I made they stated they had by contract 30-45 days to refund money. That being said it has now been 55 days and I still have not been refunded. I called on October 4, 2010 at 2pm and they stated it was mailed out on September 28. I called today October 5, 2010 around noon and another person stated it was sent out yesterday. I don't know who to believe, but I would stay away from Legal Helpers and hope no one else makes the mistake I have.

Do not use this firm! They are not worth the hassle! When I first hired this firm to represent me, I thought everything was going fine. My creditors stopped calling me when I gave them my "attorney's" number and told them I was filing. I agreed to make payments toward the $2000 fee and just prior to paying in full, I decided not to file after all. When I contacted them to let them know I no longer wanted to file Chapter 7, I was surprised to receive several calls urging me to reconsider! I had to finally be rude and say I didn't want to use the service and asked for a refund. After more attempts to keep me as a "client", they finally agreed to refund the amount I had paid less any attorney's fees I had accumulated to date. When I tried to find out how much that actually was, no one could tell me.

As the days, weeks, and now months passed and I waited for the refund check, I grew increasingly worried that it wouldn't be issued after all. Every call to check on the status of the refund is met by, "The accounting department has the paperwork and will issue the check in 30-45 days." Well, it's been past that time frame and I still got no check. The last call I made, the person who answered said the same thing. And when I pressed them for more information and to speak to their supervisor, I got only that "Haifa", the manager, said she would put a rush on the refund. And if it isn't put through on Monday (today is Friday), she will call me. I'm not holding my breath! They still won't tell me how much is being sent. They won't tell me exactly when the check will go out.

My experience is similar to the others on this site. It started when I paid a retainer on 12/18/09. After paying the full amount for services and filing fee in April 2010, I supplied all necessary documentation, which was often lost and had to be supplied again. I met with a legal assistant on 9/1 and was told everything was in order and the case would be filed in the next 2 weeks. Three weeks later, I was issued a summons by one of our creditors because the case has still not been filed and I have to deal with this civil suit myself because the bankruptcy is federal. All this time I have not met or talked with Mr. **. Today, 9/22/2010, I do not know where to turn to except the US District Attorney. My money is gone and I still face the creditors.

On January '10, I was taken to court on a delinquent credit card balance by Chase bank. I advised the judge I was about to file bankruptcy as soon as I gather enough money to hire a lawyer. On February 2010, I went to see an attorney with "Legal Helpers" and talked to Jason **. I gave him a retainer fee and he had me sign the needed documents to start bankruptcy proceedings. I told him and showed him the papers regarding my trouble with Chase bank. February thru mid-May, I paid them $400.00 towards the required $2199.00 fee.

On May 2010, Chase froze my account (checking is all I had) and my son's checking and savings (because my name was on his account to make funds transfers easier while he was away at school). All the money we had in the world was frozen so I called Legal Helpers. I was told I needed to pay the fee in full so they could file the bankruptcy. At that time, Chase would have to unfreeze our accounts! I turned to an out-of-town relative to borrow the money to file, which was done on June 16, 2010.

Chase did release my funds on June 30 and refroze them on July 1 "to protect the estate of the bankruptcy". This is something new, not known even to an entire office of bankruptcy lawyers, paralegals and legal customer service reps (who I was mostly directed to when I called unless I insisted on a paralegal to confirm the advice given which was mostly wrong advice, too!). When I asked, "Why, didn't my consulting lawyer tell me it might be wise to close my accounts with Chase bank?" I was told he was no longer with the company!

When the accounts were refrozen, I talked to a paralegal named Andrew. He said that they would contact the trustee and request that he contact Chase to have the freeze removed. That never happened. I went to my trustee hearing on Aug 24, 2010. Neither he nor the lawyer there that day to represent me, knew anything about the freeze on my accounts. Now I am told that Chase will have to release my checking accounts funds after 60 days when my case is finally dismissed. But they may have the right to keep my son's money from his checking and savings because I did not list them on the bankruptcy list of assets! Okay, my mistake. But not my funds, my son's. Where was the advice I paid $2199.00 for?

Now, to file a motion to release these funds, they want an additional fee. It will cost me another $510.00 (motion filing fee)! All this to correct situations caused because I did not get the correct advice. I thought that a lawyer or law firm was hired to protect their client. I believe Legal Helpers worries more about collecting fees than it does about the people turning to them for help. Due to the misguided advice received throughout my association with this legal firm, I have fallen behind on my mortgage with GMAC and the line of credit I have on my home with Chase (not to mention my utilities). Due to much difficulty dealing with GMAC, I am about 2 minutes from foreclosure and living on the edge.

My lawyers have done nothing but give wrong and misleading advice and then demand a fee to attempt to correct what as happened. I have been nervous and upset, sleepless and physically ill, and there is no end in sight because I cannot afford to pay them or any other lawyer. Additional fees? I live on my social security and the help of my son who shares this home with me, for now. Because all our money has been frozen since May, it took and is still taking, quite awhile to catch up. Right now things are looking toward hopeless.

Last year my wife and I filed for bankruptcy and paid for their services in full. Months later, Jennifer handed my case to Brian who told me that I needed to wait a bit longer because my household income exceeded the limit for filing. My wife has been unemployed for a year. I have never met a lawyer face to face nor have they returned my calls to inform me about my case. What are they waiting for? They have not provided the service that they promised. I paid for a lawyer to represent me, not a legal clerk. I feel frustrated because my calls are answered by a phone operator.

They wanted and demanded their legal fees promptly. Shouldn't I expect the same from Legal Helpers? They have not helped my situation. On the contrary, since they are a big firm, should I kiss my money good-bye? For the past 14 months, I have been waiting impatiently for Legal Helpers to deliver what they promised. Financially, I am in worst shape now than 14 months ago. Legal Helpers have only obstructed, impeded, and delayed any chances I have had for financial recovery.

Needless to say, I should have researched this company before I retained them. I am currently going through pretty much the same thing as every other person on here who has filed a complaint. Not only did they take my hard earned money, ($1,458) to be exact, they still have not filed my case after they already cashed my filing fee. I have called them literally almost everyday since July 8th, which was the date that my $299 court fee. Legally, once they did this, they were supposed to have my case filed within a week. I have gotten nothing but, the run around from the company and my lawyer is always conveniently M.I.A. when I try to contact him.

Since the other day when I threaten to take my business elsewhere, they have claimed that an attorney (not my attorney who I originally retained), but, some other attorney would be calling me at 4pm to finalize my petition so that it can be filed. More than likely that will not happen and I will have to contact them again.

Just to give everyone a little ray of hope who have dealt with this company, if you get no justice, demand it, as I will be doing. First begin by reporting them to the BBB, then the Federal Trade Commission, then file a complaint with the District Attorneys office in your State; following that, file a complaint with the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court. This court is the one who disbars or suspends attorneys for unfair legal practices. Keep in mind that there are no fees for filing all of these complaints. After you have done all of the things above, try to find other customers of this firm in your area who are going through the same thing and contact every local news channel that you have access to and report them as well. Maybe this way they will think twice about ripping any off ever again!

We came to Macey & Aleman for assistance in October 31, 2008. We met with Stephen ** in the Newark, NJ office. We said we wanted to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Mr. ** immediately said he was going to try to get us under the Chapter 7 first and if that didn't work, we would apply for Chapter 13. We said fine, but also stated that we thought we made too much money to qualify for Chapter 7. We left a down payment of $200. We decided to pay the balance by December 1, 2008 hoping to speed up the process.

We also supplied him with our credit report, outstanding bills and any other information he requested. He also advised us to remain current on our bills throughout the process. I started calling Mr. ** approximately in February 2009 to see what the status of our case was. I would always get the answer that we were about to file. At this time, we were still current on our mortgage but really struggling to make the payments. I wanted to inquire about getting a mortgage modification. When I called the mortgage company, they would ask if I am in bankruptcy.

I would say I'm in the process of filing and they would say to call back after it's filed. I asked Mr. **about it and he said try to keep up with the payments and wait. The case was going to be filed shortly. Every time I spoke with Mr. **, he would say the case is about to be filed, don't do anything. By June, 2009, we started falling behind in our mortgage. At that time, Mr. ** advised us that we would have to file Chapter 13 instead of Chapter 7 since we made too much money. We had a hard time understanding what took Mr. ** so long to come to this conclusion. He had been telling us the case was in the process of already being filed (meaning he was waiting for a few more cases before having them messenger's down to Trenton).

I told him we were having trouble making the mortgage and he said to hang in there, our case was to be filed shortly. I told Mr. ** that Thomas' child support should stop for his eldest daughter who was not attending college, was working full time and 19. At that time, he told us the monthly payment to the Trustee would be $202. After Thomas went to court to emancipate his daughter, his child support was lower $50 per week. That $200 per month savings immediately was added to the Trustee payment. Thomas has three daughters that he pays child support to and is not allowed to claim any of them on our tax return.

Since we were falling behind, I requested mortgage forbearance for 6 months from Flagstar, our mortgage company. They granted us a six-month forbearance from August 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010. I figured that in that time, our case would be filed and we would be able to get a mortgage modification since that was what Mr. ** was telling us every time we would call to get an update. Meanwhile, our mortgage company, Flagstar sold out to Nationstar and we received a letter saying everything would remain the same with whatever arrangements we already had with Flagstar.

In October, 2009, Stephen ** called to have us come in the office. We thought finally the case was going to get filed, but instead, he went through our case like we had just met and no work was completed on it. My husband and I were astounded that this was as far as our case progressed. We were under the impression that we were already filed. We truly believed Mr. ** was pulling our leg and not being truthful about what was really happening with our case. At that time, we believe, our current expenses and income should have been revised to reflect current values instead of still relying on the 2008 values originally supplied. We honestly believe that our best interests were not being considered during this entire time.

Whether the law firm was overworked with other clients, should not have had an effect on our case, especially because we had paid in full by December 2008. The bankruptcy case filed in November 2009 had the original information we supplied when we first met Mr. ** back in November, 2008. With the onset of the recession and increase in prices for tolls, gas, food and other general expenses, these factors not taking into account when the case was filed in November 2009. In November, 2009, Alana ** called to say that our case is scheduled in front of the Trustee January 10th and we should start making payments of $404 immediately starting November, 2009. We did so. Before this time, we had no contact with Ms. ** and only communication with Mr. **.

As January 2010 came around, I called Nationstar to inquire what our new mortgage would be commencing February 2010. I kept getting switched around and finally got someone in customer service that we should saying to continue to pay what we had previously been paying until we hear from Nationstar. I just got off the phone with Ms. ** and she advised me that we can keep the trial modification mortgage that was recently proposed by Nationstar, but our monthly payments to the Trustee increase from $404 which we were paying regularly and on time, to $721 which would be a great hardship for us.

We strongly feel that if our case was filed on a timelier basis, all of these extra hearings and meetings would not be necessary. Mr. ** or Ms. ** never asked or checked to see if any of the figures compiled in November 2008 had since changed. I asked Ms. ** if we could attend the next court hearing and she said it's not necessary but we feel we can better explain ourselves than she can. Our major problem with this whole situation is that we have tried to be honest and upfront in asking for help. We were one of those first time families that were able to purchase their home with no money down. We are hard working, decent couple that support his three daughters, not only in child support, but expenses that go with having children and co-parenting.

It's hard to put a price tag on it. I commute 40 miles each way to work via the NJ Turnpike and Parkway and Thomas commutes 30 miles each way via the NJ Turnpike and Parkway. We were not planning on the tolls rising 20% in the last 2 years or gas rising at least 10% in that same amount of time. We are therefore, respectfully, requesting a conference with you, with or without our attorney, since we feel she is not watching out for our interests. We are not aware of the protocol to request this kind of conference. We also don't know if we need to retain counsel in case of a civil suit against Macey and Aleman. We truly feel the time factor it took M&A to respond to our file is unreasonably longer than it should have taken and added unnecessary consequences to our case. I now would like to dismiss or drop our case since we can't afford to pay $721 for 54 months. I also want the money we have paid to the trustee (apx. $3,200) to be returned to us as well as our retainer (apx. $2,000).

In October 2009, we met with the attorney. He laid out the timeline for us when things would be done. In actuality, it was nothing like what he said. We were told everything should be completed within 4 months. I was already being sued by one creditor. After the first round of paperwork was sent, I heard nothing. I called them several weeks later to ask what was next. It was only then they informed me, that I needed to send in more paperwork. 2 more months went by, I called again. One person told me they didn't have my paperwork, then another person told me they did have the paperwork, and the petition was being drawn up. It would take another 3 weeks. 3 weeks came and went, I called again. I was told the petition was being drawn up, it would take 3 weeks. Again, that time frame came and went.

By March, I still hadn't received anything. I called again, and got the same story. At this point, I threatened to report them to the bar association, and the BBB. Within 30 minutes, I got a call from the local office telling me the petition would be mailed out by the end of the week. When it came, a fraction of the creditors were listed, despite me providing all of this information to them. Finally in April, we went to sign the petition. On arrival, they told us they were missing paperwork, and we had too much money in the bank, and that we can't have any money in the bank at the time of signing. An impossible task, being we have direct deposits from work coming in every Friday, and need to make house and car payments. The signing was postponed until the next week, but we left a list of the multiple creditors they had forgotten to add to the petition. When we arrived for the next signing,other gentleman was there, and they informed him, he didn't have his paperwork. We couldn't verify they added the added all the creditors, because their computers were down. We signed anyway. Our 341 mtg was scheduled for May 28th.

They called the night before to remind us. We arrived to the meeting 15 minutes ahead of time as instructed, and our attorney was not there. Several other Legal Helpers clients were there as well. At 230, the attorney was still not there, and a woman called the office. She was told he was running late, and was given his phone number. She called and left a voice mail. 20 more minutes went by, she called again, and the call went straight to voice mail this time. In a panic, she asked another lawyer, what we all should do, since our representation wasn't there. He called the lawyer himself, from his phone, and surprise, our attorney answered right away. He told the lawyer that he wouldn't be coming, and asked if he would stand in for him. Thankfully, this man did. But we never had a chance to look through our petition prior to the meeting. We've called the main attorney at our local office, and he was in a meeting, or on the phone. But we kept calling, and finally got a hold of him. He assured us he'd check on it. Today, he called back, and just said there was a scheduling conflict for that attorney. Yet, in the contract, it states that if we fail to show up at the meeting, the fee would be 150.00. This entire experience has been a nightmare. Stay away from them. No representation from the attorney we paid for during a very important meeting.

I have read these reviews and actually I had a good experience with Legal Helpers. They filed my case about 2 weeks after I paid in full, and I have done my research at other bankruptcy law firms and I thought legal helpers charged pretty low compared to the others in my area. Also, my attorney returned my calls (albeit sometimes late) but really within 2 days which was not bad. I hired a divorce attorney before I filed bankruptcy and let me tell you people, filing for divorce sucks ass and bankruptcy as a walk in the park compared to filing for divorce. I referred two friends to legal helpers - both with same experiences such as mine.

I didn't read all the complaints about Legal Helpers, until I had already retained their services. There was nothing but complaints about information not received, calls not returned and months to file a simple bankruptcy case. It worried me because I had already begun paying them. I decided at that moment that I would educate myself of the process by reading everything about the chapter I was filing. I read everything from the government website and everything else I could find, to make sure I understand the entire process.

I used Legal Helpers website to figure out exactly what they received from me and called them to confirm. I didn't wait for them to call me and I provided all information promptly, to make sure there was no reason for them to wait for me. I experienced some of the things I read, including not hearing from the attorney until we were ready to file. I paid them within a month of the first meeting and provided everything they asked for. This was my life and I was not going to endure and wait for them to tell me the next steps. I was able to get my case filed, just under three months of the first meeting. You have to take charge and make sure that they are not waiting for you to provide information. Call frequently and ask questions. If you do not get the answer you want, call back. This firm handles a ton of cases, they are understaffed and overbooked so you need to do most of the leg work. Once you get the case filed, everything falls under the courts timetable, so you no longer have to rely on them. Good Luck!

I paid Legal Helpers over 2000 dollars to represent me in my bankruptcy case. I finished paying for my bankruptcy in April. At that time I asked would the electronic payments automatically be stopped, and I was told yes. My account went negative because they pulled out another payment in May. I've called to try to get this corrected and I was told to go to the bank to get this print out. Why do I need to inconvenience myself? They went into the computer and saw when I made all my payments. Why can't they go in and see that they took out $200 from my account when I've been paid in full, since April? Both of the ladies I spoke with today, Joann and Nancy, never once apologized for this problem. I just had a problem with this business two days ago when I called in to see what was the progress of my bankruptcy seeing that I had not heard anything in about two weeks. I was told at that time they didn't receive my 2nd fax. The first fax, they said, was unclear. The second fax, which I faxed the next day, they claim they did not receive and if that was the case why did no one contact me since we are working on a time frame? I thought that I picked a reputable firm to represent me but I'm having problem after problem and no one seems to care. I guess because they have been paid in full.

I hired Macey & Aleman after an initial consultation at their New Jersey office in mid March 2010. At that time, I paid all fees and costs and provided every single document that they asked for. Also, all my papers were neatly organized by category and in order. I had a meeting with the attorney one week after my initial consult and it was confirmed that they had everything they needed to file my case. Three weeks later, I received a call telling me that they were waiting for my documents so my case could be worked on.

I called and was told that was a mistake and they did in fact have my documents. In mid April 2010, I called to check on the status of my case (it was now a month after they had payment in full and all of my documents) and was told the file was nearly complete and my case would be filed that week. Now, three weeks later, it is mid May and I called to ask why my case was not filed. I was told that they had many cases they were working on but promised that my case would be filed by the end of the month!

I should have followed my instincts and used a local well-known bankruptcy attorney. I had a consult with a local bankruptcy attorney and the fee he quoted was only $300 more than Macey & Aleman. Like they say, "penny wise and dollar foolish." Do not use this firm because you will get nothing except aggravation. Since our bankruptcy was not filed timely, we have had a wage garnishment taken from our paychecks for eight weeks longer than it should have been.

My mother hired them to do her bankruptcy. They sat on her case and took the required fee from her ($1400) and then reviewed her case and informed her she had to file a Chapter 13 instead of the Chapter 7 and wanted $800.00 more. She fired them, and then they sent her a $349 refund out of the $1400 she paid them for doing nothing. They are a ripoff.

I paid in full for bankruptcy and provided all required documentation at the same time. Every time I call to see where the thing stands or when it will be filed, I get the runaround. One person told me it will be mailed to me and my wife last week for review. Then this week, it hasn't even been typed up yet. They told me on that day they received information from me but my certified mail receipt gives me a discrepancy of five days than what they told me so they are liars as well. The simple fact is they are not providing the service they were paid to provide in a timely manner they should provide it. Now they tell me it could be another three weeks before it's typed up and to me for review and they told me last week it was sent to me and I should have had it by now.

All this company cares about is money. They do not care about their client at all. You can't even talk to an attorney and the people in Chicago do not know what they are doing. I would never recommend them to anyone.

They kept losing paperwork, they kept calling me weekly for updated pay stubs, they took almost a year to file after we paid them off, they missed paperwork so 341 meeting were rescheduled and now trustee wants to liquidate our belongings for a chapter 7. They just outright are too rushed to handle claims correctly and guide you n the right direction. Don't use them, any lawyer has payment plans.

We too dealt with Legal Helpers of Erie, PA for our Chapter 7. The young attorney we dealt with was very professional and attentive to our situation. We have been very happy with the way he has dealt with our case and would recommend Legal Helpers to everyone in this situation.

In Feb 09 we retained LegalHelpers.com to file Chapter 7. All fees were paid at that time & requested documents were provided. We took the Credit Counseling course required as soon as we received the login number. Since that time we have been harassed by creditors because LegalHelpers will not talk to them, on the few occasions we have been able to get someone to answer the phone they will not identify thenselves & have hung up on us, fees have been added because "they made a mistake on your contract," they want us to retake their Credit Counseling course & pay for it again,

they lose documents when we send or fax them, they will not return phone calls or call to confirm receipt of a fax when requested by a coversheet, and now they are threatening to "close your case because you have failed to provide needed documents. Bottom line: Nov 09 & nothing has been filed yet.

Next step is a complaint filed with the State Attorny's office. DO NOT USE LegalHelpers, they are a bucket load of stress when you don't need it. Cost of repeatedly faxing the same documents, added fees above the contracted price, dramaticlly increased stress dealing with our creditors, unable to begin reestablishing our affairs until the Chapter 7 is completed.

HORRIBLE COMPANY - STAY AWAY FROM THEM. Why there is not state action against this company is beyond me. We paid almost $2,000 since April 09 and it's Nov 09 now no papers still - not even drawn up yet. We will also file a small claims suit against these folks. DO NOT USE THEM!

I have been a so called customer of legalhelpers [M. Aleman] since February 09 2009. Since then I have not once been contacted by LegalHelpers.com, unless I contact them first. In early April I made one payment. [the exact amount stated on the contract] About 4 weeks later [May] I noticed my check had not been cashed, so i called them, I was told the check was in my file and would be cashed soon and it was.

A couple weeks passed after my check was cashed, [June] I decided to call back. This time I was told there was a balance due on my account, I told the gentlemen I had paid in full. Then he asked how much I paid, I told him the exact amount that the contract called for and my check had been cashed and cleared for over a month. After all the time I spent on hold and the lengthy period of time on the phone while legalhelpers got there records strait, I was told they would start soon.

In July I called back many times. I was told they needed a income verification form they Emailed it to me, I told them not to contact me through Email or the phone number I originally provided them [I had no access to them] and I gave them a new contact number, I retrieved the form filled it out with a notary and returned it promptly and still nothing. The next time I called back, I was told they had not received it and to send a copy. I asked is a copy OK! the original had to be signed in front of a notary. then I was told they would Email me another one. Again I told them my new contact information and was told my case was all wrote up and all they needed at this time was a the income verification form.

I was able to get the fax after a few days. I called back to see if they found the original form, they did. I was then told my case had not been started yet [guess what I was (upset) and let them know it] I then asked to talk to management. I told management my problem, she did not want to here my aggressive displeasure and told me not to talk to her like that because she did not know anything about my case, I responded! Then let me talk to the person handling my case. Then I was then told I do not need to talk to them, she could handle it.

I then asked to talk to her manager, the response was you don't need to talk to them either, after a heated argument she hung up on me. I have called back numerous times and get the same result, but while on hold I hear that [I can speak with an attorney 6 days a week] [high level client service] [vary accessible] I have requested to be contacted by my attorney to many times and no response. Today is August 27 2009 any suggestions

The bottom-line is that Legal Helpers is the McDonald's of bankruptcy - low cost and high volume. I suspect you can always pay more and get more personalized attention somewhere else. With Legal Helpers there were a number of times in my bankruptcy process that I was a bit frustrated, e.g., felt like I was getting conflicting info., small dispute over a discount, etc. However, in the end I always got the answers I needed - even if I had to go into the office and ask to see an attorney to confirm details. At the end, I got what I wanted - even if everything was not perfect. You should be fine if you are willing to take control of the situation and make sure the details are clear.

I contracted Legal Helpers January this year. Recently I requested a full refund due to the lack of service from this company. The company is not client-friendly and there was no communication whatsoever concerning my file. Anytime I wanted to speak with an attorney to talk about my file, I get the 21 questions. The company is sorely lacking in customer service. From the day I contracted with them, I have never spoken with an attorney once. They always seem to send paralegals, and making an appointment with an attorney is like trying to see the President of the United States.

My refund was supposed to take 30 days. It is now moving into almost 45 days. Then they told me I won't be refunded the full amount. This is some sort of scam this company is running. Not only did I pay the retainer but they also are trying to get more money from me for a case that has never been filed because I decided to find another company to handle my bankruptcy. They can't even direct deposit my refund into my account. Even though they have all my account information, which I submitted so they could deduct the payments for the initial fee. I requested the refund in writing and they continue to give me the runaround and refuse to deposit the refund into my bank account.

We filed bankruptcy in April of 2007, and the case was discharged in July of 2007. When we filed, we had two mortgages, one mortgage we kept and the other was suppose to be discharged and out of our name. Well, it has been over two years and we are still getting fines from taxes, maintenance fines and mortgage statements saying the house is still in our name. When we try to show the courts that we have discharge papers, this does not work. We were told that all we had to do was show these papers and the courts would fix it. The courts tell us that the lawyer did not fill out all the paper work on his end, and that there is still papers that needed to be filled. I think it's ironic that their ad says, "We are here to answer your calls six days a week," but I have called several times, and keep getting the runaround that someone will call me back when they never do.

I have also tried to reach them by email, and still no luck. This is very frustrating to have to keep taking off work for court, pay fines and credit not improving. I would never again recommend Legal Helpers to anyone and will spread the word of how poor their service really is. I paid $1,899 and for what? To have my credit and headaches worse than they were before I signed up with them.

I signed up with Legal Helpers in 2007. I filed bankruptcy and was discharged in 2008. It was sold with assurance of personal representation by local attorney as well as toll free client service available should I need six days a week and for support of any further collection attempts on discharged issues after the fact. Once signed on, the only way to reach the local attorney was through an 800 number and out of state group. The same 800 number was also the promised client service group. Again, they were not local and not familiar with local laws, procedures, etc. It seemed to be a rivalry between client service reps and local attorney(s). More than once I'd begin my question only to be cut off, redirected and questioned as to how the local attorney could have told me whatever.

On one occasion, 45 min into being debated with and questioned as to info given by the local attorney that had nothing to do with the question I'd called with. The client rep placed me on hold for seven minutes then came back and suggested that I must know how it is, that he's just an associate doing his time on the phones and that actually my local attorney had been correct regarding the laws in Colorado. After an hour of this, I still never got an answer to the question I'd called in with. Other times I'd call and sit on hold for a very long time only to be answered by a voice requiring my name, phone, account number (with no intro or welcome on their part) only to then be told no one's in the office and someone will call me back.

I have an email reprimanding me (from the client 800 center) for expecting that they'd have time to spend taking my call when they're so busy in court. The email reprimanding me was addressed to another person's name of the opposite gender. I was later told the person that reprimanded me (as another person's name and of the opposite gender) was the manager of the center. The local attorney handling my case left the firm. Since the discharge, the client service group I'd been sold on being available to handle further collection attempts on discharged issues (and been assured are supposed to support me afterward by other sources of legal assistance on learning that I did have an attorney handle the bankruptcy for me) have only cut to what sounds like a scripted lecture on how the legal system works, and how it's my responsibility to make sure they had everything they needed to file (which I did), and that if I missed anything or messed up then they can open a new petition at an additional cost to me.

They don't bother to check the records first to see if what they're telling me I did wrong actually was/is listed before telling me this. When I point out that it's there, they then tell me I need to call and talk with the creditors then. They offer no support post discharge despite what they guarantee on signing.

Plain and simply rude. I've yet to call and get anyone interested (or even pretending to be interested) in hearing me or helping me. They always, from hello forward, sound on guard and ready to defend/redirect etc. I've been cut off five words into my initial question when they assume they know where I'm going, only to have to point out that their response may be great for someone fitting that situation, but that my question actually has to do with pre-discharge issues not any post discharge activity/spending LH automatically seems to assume must be the issue. On finally accepting that I'm calling about a legit issue, the response is more flustered. It's often then admitted to me that the person I'm talking with isn't an attorney after all and they can't actually tell me the answer, but that I should just call and talk with the creditors in question myself.

I filed for Bankruptcy in October 2008 with Legal Helpers. I just found out that my attorney quit. Every time I go in, they tell me they need more papers. I am going in tomorrow to say, "File or give me my money back like your ad says." I am not happy; receiving summons to court and being sued by creditors. Legal Helpers says they can't help me with summons. Aren't they attorneys? What a mess at over $2,000!

I signed on board with Legal Helpers in 2008. I filed a chapter 13. I have had no representation and every two-three months I get a different attorney. When I call the 800 number that was provided by legal helpers no one knows who my attorney is. I have paid them $3600.00 to date and I have ask to have this case dismissed and my money refunded. To this date I have not received a response. I am mad. I will be filing a class action case agaisnt them. Please Help! I'm being rob

I tried to call my Trustee to dismiss informing her that I no longer had an attorney. She stated that I did and give me his name. I just went 5/18/09 to meet this person to find out that he wants even more money. And they state on their website that they will do everything legally and ethically.

The agent who answered the phone wouldn't provide any information until i gave my full name and contact info. I did this and he said i woul have to get a call back from someone local. Shortly after i ended the call, i received 4 different phone calls form differnt firms that also couldnt answer my question with out meeting with me. I was boombared with sales call for the next 2 days.

I calleed legal helpers and asked to be placed on the No call List, they assured me this would not happen again. However, i just got another call from them!!! i call and spoke with Janis to again be placed on the No Call List. These people cant help you just put your name on a call list so you can be smothered by sales calls from over priced attornies. If you plan on filing Bankruptcy, you can do it yourself by going to the US Bankrupty court web page easilt found using google - goodluck

My husband contracted with Legal Helpers aka Macey & Aleman for our bankruptcy over the internet back in December of 2007! he made payments and finished up 12/01/08 a year later. Three revised petitions later, my name is incorrect, there is missing debt, and real estate surrendered is still listed on schedule F instead of D. I finally gave up and sent certified mail and fax notice of termination on April 7th and demanded a full refund in 10 business days, deadline is tomorrow. Since then, L. Shottenfeld called and tried to keep us on the next day, I explained and said I was dissatisfied with our service and that there simply were too many errors on all the petitions and that their streamlined service sucked and that they needed to sit down with their clients as you cannot talk to an attorney otherwise. She pursued to tell me that all administrative fees would be deducted so I requested time sheet back up.

On April 10th, someone named Jen called and explained that the reason things were taking so long is because we are border line chapter 13. I explained that if anyone actually did review our case they would realize that 131k of that debt was on the wrong schedule! She however explained to me, since I would not keep them on my refund would be expedited to accounting. Jen assured me with my request that I would have a completely detailed breakdown of all charges as once again I requested time sheet detail. This company is HORRIBLE, it has to be an embarrassment not to even get your clients name wrong but the documentation I have could have been done better by myself. On Wednesday the 22nd, I will be going to file for fee arbitration or small claims. I think there should be mass law suit for there incompetence.

I have a creditor (Honesdale National Bank) who does not even believe we have an attorney because she would call, even a week before I terminated and all they said was, there was no status on our case. Our phones are unplugged because of the harassing debt collectors, we are receiving summons for court and they never responded on our behalf.

I contacted legal helpers over a year ago to file a chapter 7 bankruptsy. I feel they are inept at doing their job. Its been 5 months since I made my last payment to them for their services and they have yet to get me a court date. Instead they refuse to return my numerous phone calls, when I call I can never speak to my attorney. They recently lost all my paper work and I had to redo it all over again and when I went into their office yesterday I had to wait 2 hours just for them to tell me they wrote my appointment time down wrong and I have to go back next week instead. I feel I have been ripped off my legal helpers and would like to get my money back but I'm sure I would get the run around about that too.

Still being harrassed by creditors, wasted my money that I could not afford on legal helpers, they were supposed to get my car payments reduced but refuse to give me a court date so I'M ABOUT READY TO LOSE MY CAR !

I paid the $100 fee, with a written agreement that after all fees are paid they will begin processing paperwork in 10 days. I paid all fees. About 4 months later they send paperwork to a wrong address after I wrote to them and expressly stated where I was going to be. I was promised multiple times that I would recieve services, however, no services were ever delivered to me.

When I called for an explaination the person was confused about what they had on their computer screen but would not admit a mistake on their part. I was unable to talk to my lawyer whenever I called despite my request to do so. I have canceled services on 10/16/08 (for the second time) They apparently don't know how to do it the first time.

In the written agreement they have 10 days to proceed with paperwork after the final payment is made. They have failed to to that. They also have 30 days to return all refunds - after their poor performance so far the jury is out whether I will recive anything. I feel there is a breach of contract with services promised and services rendered.

In about October of 2006 I rendered the services of Legal Helpers to file a chapter 7 bankruptcy. I have paid them 500.00 to date. On about April 4, 2008 I faxed them a letter requesting that my request be cancelled and that any refunds due or correspondance be sent to my new homw address which I included on the fax. Prior to this I had request this service be cancelled two times in 2007 and that my address be changed with no response from the Company. Since the fax was sent I have called approximately five times to check it's status, including today. On time when the young lady realized I was calling about a refund her phone began to make the noise of a fax machine and she hung up on me.

Today I was told that accounting sent me a letter, tol my old address. Also that I paid 500.00 but the lawyer was paid 520.00 so I owe them, and that they could tell me any additional information until I recieved the letter. All I had was the free consultation and made about three calls to ask questions before I cancelled this service. I don't understand why I was charged 520.00 just for that. Futhermore, I have a serious problem with thier corporate office hanging up on me, I was not using fowl laguage nor yelling at anyone, while I will admit I was noticeably upset in customer service you shouldn't hang up on someone just because you don't want to or aren't allowed to answer their questions. I finally recieved a letter from them and they charged me for e-mails they recieved but never acted upon.

I paid them 500.00 and because of the excess charges, they say I spoke with an attorney over the phone for 18 minutes, they use a call center. They say I used an attorney for 30 minutes after the initial free consultation when? They charged me for e-mails they never acted upon.

On June 14, 2006 I met with Attorney Koh to file for Bankruptcy. I gave the Attorney $100. for that visit and he told me that ok you will need to send the company Macy & Aleman $207 a month to pay for the Bankruptcy. I did that, NOTHING EVER GOT DONE. I still received calls from creditors, I still was harrased and I kept paying them. On January6, 2007 they received the last payment. I finally got fed up waiting for some kind of results with this company and I never received anything after paying my last payment.

I then on October 24, 2007 faxed to their comapny a request to cancel the bankruptcy and to refund my money. I was given the run around and told that ok if I want a refund, its gonna take at least 30 days. I have called this company and spoken with a lady by the name of Vickey whom I faxed the request to, a lady name Alma, and a lady name Molly.

All of these people have given me just the total run around about how they did the work and if I'm gonna receive anything, it will take some time. When I started calling them it was already past the 30 day period. It is December 14, 2007, I called again and am being told that its still with accounting. This company is ripping me off.