“I grew up in Hunter’s Point. It hasn’t always been easy– from a divorce in the ‘90s to messy family finances, I finally thought in 2017 I had everything sorted out. That’s when a debt collector showed up at my work saying I owed over $23,000– I had no idea what he was talking about. Still, my wages were being garnished; I wasn’t sure if I could make rent.

I knew I needed help. My brother suggested I check out Open Door Legal. I went and the receptionist told me that they handle cases like mine all the time. ‘If you’re really serious about addressing this issue’ she said, ‘you’ve got to make an appointment.’ That’s when a light came on– she really knows what she’s talking about.

My attorney Philip and I got right to work. We realized that my original debt was only for $11,000 and that despite our best efforts the only path out was declaring bankruptcy. I was finally about to move on– until Philip informed me that, to my surprise, I was still married. It turns out that what I thought were divorce papers 20 years ago were really papers regarding my ‘ex’ wife’s debts.

Sometimes there are seemingly unsolvable problems that keep you awake at night and have a tendency to make you depressed. But the lawyers at Open Door Legal put my mind at ease and helped me face my problem head-on.

Thanks to their help, I’m now legally single, and on the path to financial stability. And it’s clear what has been missing from my life: a partner to share it with. I intend to change that soon.”

Photography © Maya Galicia-Canto