Unfortunately, the banks may believe that you will not be able to afford any kind of payment. I am a mortgage modification officer and I know that if someone does not have enough money to put into a trustee account to modify their loan then the likelihood of someone being able to pay any kind of mortgage payment is slim to none. It is all about RISK and I have been able to qualify someone that was on unemployment but the fact that you paid an attorney is where the real problem lies. Attorneys are paid on an hourly basis whereas we do not get paid of the modification falls through. I wish I had reached you before you paid the sheister attorney did. You are still welcome to give me a call, as it does not cost anything to find out if we would represent you. We have a formula that we work out to see if your lender will work with us. Sorry for your misfortune and good luck to you and the kids.