Free aid

Maria and Kazimierz

Maria and Kazimierz lived with their daughter Magda and their four-year-old granddaughter Zosia. Zosia’s father has always been absent; he left Magda when she informed him about the pregnancy. Zosia has always lived at her grandparents’; they were taking care of her when her mother was working.

One summer, Magda decided to do a seasonal job abroad. She asked her parents to take care of Zosia until her return. At the end of the summer, Magda called her parents to tell them that she was offered a permanent job abroad, so she wouldn’t be coming back to Poland. She also concluded that it would be better for Zosia to stay in Poland with them. Maria and Kazimierz accepted to take care of their granddaughter, however they immediately encountered technical problems as they were not her legal guardians.

Maria confided into her neighbour that she had no idea how to solve the situation. She and Kazimierz were elder, had modest pensions, and couldn’t afford a lawyer. Their neighbour told them about free legal aid at the City Hall. Maria and her husband made and appointment with a lawyer, who informed them about their rights and obligations, helped them fill in the necessary forms, prepared a list of all the needed documents, and walked them through the subsequent steps. Their case is currently being examined by a judge and they should soon become the legal guardians of their granddaughter.

Maria

Maria is married, she graduated from a vocational school, and works in commerce. Her two adult children are university students. They all live in a two-bedroom flat. Maria’s husband has been struggling with mental disorders (he is a so called “collector”) for years. He is unfit to work and receives an ill health pension. Since he collects any kind of objects and garbage, their flat is invaded by insects. However, her husband reacted aggressively every time she was suggesting a change in behaviour or treatment.  

Maria found out, at an free legal aid consultation, that she could file for the legal incapacitation of her husband, since he was a threat not only to the family, but also to himself. She was given a template and was walked through all the required steps. She filled in the form alone, modified certain elements with the help of a lawyer, and then filed it.

A few months later, she reached us to inform that her husband had been incapacitated and referred to psychiatric treatment. Together with her children she is planning to clean and restore the flat.

Genowefa

Genowefa’s life could be made into a film. When she was young, she married a rich man, whom she loved a lot. Over the years, they accumulated a lot of wealth and raised a daughter, Ania. Many years later, Genowefa’s husband fell very sick and was diagnosed with cancer. The only promising treatment was available abroad and it was horrendously expensive. Genowefa and Ania sold everything they had and took multiple loans at banks and from other people. In spite of the treatment, Henryk unfortunately passed away. Genowefa and Ania started getting contacted by creditors. And then another tragedy happened: Ania died tragically in a car accident. Genowefa was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to pay off all the debts. She wanted to settle them all and to make sure her grandson, whose legal guardian she was, had a good life.

The lawyer suggested Genowefa filed for personal bankruptcy, presenting her its advantages and disadvantages. A judge could, but did not have to, fully or partially write off her debt. Genowefa was also advised that any of the assets she still had would get seized, and that the deductions from her state pension would carry on. After a couple of meetings, they filled out the application form for personal bankruptcy and for appointing a court assigned attorney.

Genowefa came back some time later to thank the lawyer for all the support and assistance. The judge had approved her request and most of her debts had been written off.