Who can one ask for advice before signing home re-fi papers?

You need to first look at the estimated closing statement. See where that $8,000 is coming from. Seems somewhat steep unless you have a large loan amount. Keep in mind is it a no closing cost loan or no lender fee loan? There is still appraisal, title fees, setting up tax and insurance impounds. Your best bet is to ask someone who has a loan officer they can recommend. Have her call them and have them prepare an estimated closing statement and compare the two. If in doubt, always get a second or even a third opinion.

$8,000 for a refi? Why? If the home value has gone down, that 8k may be to cover the difference. But if it is 8k in closing costs, that is ridiculous. She needs to shop around a little here.

As far a looking at the papers, a local credit counseling service may do it for her.

I do not fully understand your question but if someone's trying to do you out of money which it sounds like they are, then if it were me I'd find a solicitor who specialises in that subject and go from there. Maybe you could look in a directory or google it? I know I'm probably not any help (sorry :() but do you reckon you could look at mine? I have answers similar to yours and need a sensible one!!