Name changed for privacy; photo is not the client.
“Emily,” not her real name, deeded her home to her father so he could have a nice place to live and get a homestead exemption. Her father later passed away, and after a year had passed, she reached out to JALA for assistance, but her sister had hired a private attorney to handle the matter, so JALA closed the case. Eight months later, Emily reached out to JALA again after the private attorney failed to file any pleadings on the case. Once two years had passed since Emily’s father had passed way, JALA staff attorney Jessica Farmer was able to file the probate as a summary administration with Emily’s mother as the beneficiary. Emily’s mother, who lived in a nursing home, then signed a deed transferring the property back to Emily, who now has her house back in her name and can apply for a homestead exemption. “You have no idea how happy you have made me,” Emily wrote in a thank you note.
About Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.
If you are an attorney interested in volunteering with housing-related issues, please contact Debra Talley, Pro Bono Case Placement Manager, at debra.talley@jaxlegalaid.org, or visit https://www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono/.
