Nearly 1,000 attorneys have joined a Maryland pro bono effort to offer free help to borrowers facing foreclosure, figuring legal advice and negotiating prowess could keep more people in their homes.

I've got a story on the effort today and figured you might like to know more about how it works, from a "how do I get this free help?" perspective (as well as "how do I volunteer?").

If you're a homeowner, you'll need to first connect with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency participating in the effort. Organizers recommend doing so by calling the state's HOPE hot line, 877-462-7555.

The pro bono attorneys are offering one-on-one advice to homeowners at foreclosure-prevention workshops, and anyone can take advantage of that. Find a list of events here, along with details about how to prepare (scroll down the page).

If you want an attorney to represent you on a volunteer basis, you'll need to meet income requirements. A three-person household in the Baltimore area, for instance, can't make more than $40,720. UPDATE: Actually, the income guidelines are slightly higher for this program than the usual cap for free legal aid. Here's the correct breakdown for the Baltimore metro area:

Attorneys wanting to volunteer can call the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, 410-837-9379, or go to www.probonomd.com/foreclosure.html.