Unfortunately, the hard truth, in America at least, is you have to hire a lawyer for these problems. Most such problems magically disappear that way. It's unfair, but it's how it works. It's a lot like needing to bribe an official to get something done: if you don't understand, the system seems impenetrable.
IDK, I see a lawyer as a positive benefit. Sure, some city, state, or federal employees are incompetent but at least there is a means of getting help if you're desperate enough.
lol - all systems have rules and gatekeepers. After all, all systems are operated by humans. Governments, corporations or other large organizations are not magical entities that exist in a vacuum - there are humans at the core of all of them.