Andrew's story: protecting a home and restoring peace of mind
After a lifetime working as a carpenter, Andrew looked forward to a quieter pace of life in retirement. Known for helping others, he spent much of his time volunteering and doing odd jobs for people in his community.
It was through this generosity that Andrew was befriended by a woman who asked for his help. She told him she needed a loan to assist family members living overseas to migrate to Australia and asked him to provide a personal guarantee.
Trusting her, Andrew agreed.
What he did not know was that the arrangement was fraudulent. The loan was significantly larger than he had been led to believe, and the woman disappeared with the money.
When the loan went unpaid, the lender commenced court proceedings against Andrew and sought to force the sale of his home to recover the debt.
The experience was devastating. Andrew had already exhausted his savings paying legal fees and was left without representation when he could no longer afford to continue. With trial just two weeks away, he faced the prospect of losing the home had had worked his entire life to secure.
Hall & Wilcox stepped in to represent Andrew on a pro bono basis.
Working closely with Andrew, we were able to negotiate a resolution with the lender that provided certainty and peace of mind. Rather than facing the immediate sale of his home, repayment of the loan was deferred for several years until Andrew planned to move into aged care, at which time he was comfortable selling the property voluntarily.
For Andrew, the outcome meant he could remain in his home and continue living independently without the stress and uncertainty of ongoing litigation.
Stories like Andrew’s demonstrate the important role of pro bono legal assistance plays in helping people navigate complex challenges, particularly when age, financial circumstances of vulnerability make it difficult to enforce their rights.
The right support at the right time can change what’s possible – helping people move forward with dignity, security and confidence during some of life’s most difficult moments.
For 10 years, Hall & Wilcox has worked alongside individuals and organisations to help create those outcomes and make a lasting difference in the communities we serve.
Learn more about our pro bono practice and how we make a difference for people like Andrew every day.
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