Diane H.

It’s been a while since I’ve stepped in Pelley Law Office’s doors. Back then I was ashamed of what I was going through. When it was over and Sarah asked me to write a recommendation for the office and I balked. I didn’t want my name out there. I thought I would be judged. Over these past couple years I realize how right she and Mr. Pelley were about everything, including how many amazing people file bankruptcy. I can’t tell you how many people I know who have told me that they’ve also filed bankruptcy. I just thought there’d be a stigma, I’d be alone, and I was wrong. When I came in to the office I had already taken a second lien on my house and gone through half my 401(k) trying to pay creditors, and I was in the exact same place financially as i was before. I almost didn’t go through with the initial interview, but I thought I’d at least sit down with someone to tell them that I wasn’t going to go through with it. The young woman I spoke to just started talking to me like a friend and I guess it broke me down. Then she gave me some calm and pretty basic information, but it resonated with me. She said something likely happened to me that was completely out of my control that led me here, because bankruptcy isn’t on anyone’s bucket list. I had had an abusive husband, a divorce, and subsequent job loss because he kept harassing me at work. He didn’t pay child support, or his half of the debt per the divorce. I had also had some very serious medical problems, both physical and mental and had recently my lost my mother. I cried in her office. Ugly cry. Like bad. She hugged me and told me to please let go of those financial worries. She told me it was her job to worry about those now. I don’t know why I believed her but I did. She would respond to emails even late at night. She asked permission to come to my hearing. When she was out the other staff were just as sweet. Mr. Pelley led me through the hearing so easily I couldn’t believe it was over so fast. He was amazing too. Everything was so easy once I was brave enough to make the decision. If she is still there, or sees this, I would want to say thank you from me and my kids, and I’m sorry I was took scared to write earlier. Life has been so much better these last few years. I have really found my feet again, and my strength, thanks to God mostly, but also Pelley Law Office, and of course Sarah.