We are excited to announce the launch of Access Justice Brooklyn’s Financial Literacy Program!

We assist in re-ordering finances through Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions, and we represent people facing insurmountable debt due to job loss, a family crisis, or serious medical problems. For assistance, you can start an online intake here. If you prefer to speak with staff directly, our intake hours are Monday through Thursday between 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please call (718) 624-3894 or email us at help@accessjusticebk.org.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Consumer bankruptcy protection is often chosen as a last resort by individuals and families facing insurmountable debt after trying to cope with job loss, a family crisis, or serious medical problems. Access Justice Brooklyn volunteer attorneys assist individuals who need to re-order their finances by drafting bankruptcy petitions and by representing them in Chapter 7 proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of New York.

Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office (CLARO)

The Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office (CLARO) is a service where unrepresented consumers can obtain free information about debt collection matters. Brooklyn’s CLARO program is a joint project of Access Justice Brooklyn and Brooklyn Law School, with the collaboration of Mobilization for Justice and the New Economy Project. It was created in cooperation with Kings County Civil Court to address the needs of unrepresented consumer debt litigants.

CLARO is open every Thursday from 2:00-4:30 PM in Room 1312, 13th FL and from 5:00-7:00 PM in Room 504, 5th FL in the Brooklyn Civil Court located on 141 Livingston St. Be sure to bring all Civil Court and debt-related papers.

To watch the Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office’s video on consumer debt, click here.

Volunteer Lawyer for the Day (VLFD) Consumer Credit

The Volunteer Lawyer for the Day (VLFD) program provides limited-scope representation in consumer credit matters for New Yorkers who do not have an attorney. A partnership between the New York State Office for Justice Initiatives and Access Justice Brooklyn, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), and New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA), the VLFD program operates in all five boroughs. Access Justice Brooklyn is the designated VLFD provider in Kings County Civil Court, where we assist unrepresented Brooklyn residents who are being sued for consumer debt issues; VLFD runs Monday-Thursday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

If you have an upcoming court date for a consumer credit case in Kings County Civil Court and you do not have an attorney, you may be eligible for representation through VLFD. To determine your eligibility for our services, please contact us at least seven (7) days before your court date by emailing help@accessjusticebk.org or calling us at (718) 624-3894.

Not sure if you’re being sued for a debt?

Visit WebCivil Local – Case Search, and follow the below instructions:

  1. Party Name: Enter your name.
  2. Party Represents: Select “Defendant”.
  3. Court(s): Select which court you think would apply (i.e., if in Brooklyn, select Kings County).
  4. Case Status: Select “All”.
  5. Return only Cases with Future Appearances: Select “No”.

If you find out there were judgments obtained that you didn’t know about it, visit CLARO and we can help you file an “Order to Show Cause. “

Additional Resources: