HOW AM I GOING TO PAY FOR THIS?

There is a running "joke" in the Pagan community, which states that Pagans are perennially poor and impecunious; they are not financially secure and have no real assets. For everyday, ordinary people who struggle with bills and financial obligations, this is not so very funny. Whether Pagan or not, most people do not have a couple of thousand dollars lying around to give to a lawyer to represent them. The last thing in the world anyone needs is to be involved in a lawsuit of some sort.

There are Pagans who have gone to their communities for money to finance a lawsuit. There are Pagans who have gone to more financially stable relatives and friends to finance lawsuits. You may wish to consider these options. Depending on the nature of the legal matter and how much it means to you, you may want to discuss the consequences of not contesting the matter with the lawyer. For example, if you work for an employer who gives you constant grief over your pentacle and if it is a job waiting tables at a lunch counter, you may wish to consider the option of finding another job rather than appearing before the EEOC. However, if you are faced with the prospect of losing your children to an ex-spouse whom you know to be abusive, then you may have to consider a number of options for financing, such as asking relatives or friends or going to your community. In some communities there are programs that you can join for a monthly fee, which will entitle you to legal assistance from that program for a multitude of legal situations. One such program operates out of St. Louis, Missouri, called the U.S. Legal Access Plan.

Talk with the lawyer about some creative billing. After the retainer, how often will you be billed? Can you set up a payment system? It may be that the attorney will be willing to work with you. You will never know unless you ask. This is no time to be shy or reticent. You must be your own advocate. However, do not ask the attorney to loan you money or front you money until your case is resolved. This is one way to lose a lawyer fast.