definitely a difficult position to be in. some jurisdictions, through either the court or the bar association, have a "modest means" program for people who don't qualify, for one reason or another, for legal aid-kinds of services, usually at a drastically reduced rate for the lawyer. the other thought is that maybe in your state the law provides that you can collect your attorney fees from the other guy if you win. what you ultimately decide to do may depend on whether the so-called "friend of the family" has any financial resources that you could collect if you did sue him and win, or is he a proverbial turnip?

good luck.

michael

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