I am 56yts. old, a Teacher Assistant and I have suffered for two years trying to stay on at school. I have grave reservations about starting this school year. I only have 8 sick days left as I have used about 40 every year for the last couple years. I just don't know where to start and even tho I can retire I lose half my retirement by retiring now and not in 6 years at 62. Does it pay to hire a lawyer to help sort things out? I only make about 20K a year and retirement would be about 9K. What/how do lawyers charge and are their any good honest lawyers in upstate NY?