Client Stories Archives - Page 7 of 17 - Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.

JALA’s Fair Housing Unit helps immunocompromised client break lease on rat-infested home

JALA’s Fair Housing Unit helps immunocompromised client break lease on rat-infested home

“Lashawn,” who participates in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, came to JALA for help when her rental home became uninhabitable and her property manager refused to allow her to break her lease so that she could relocate. The conditions in the home, which included holes in the floors that allowed rats to enter, were adversely affecting her health, which was already compromised by kidney disease requiring dialysis.

Dennis Harrison2022-01-06T14:19:15-05:00January 6th, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA protects senior and an adult son with disabilities from eviction

JALA protects senior and an adult son with disabilities from eviction

“Louise,” 80, lives with her son in an apartment partially subsidized with a Housing Choice Voucher. She and her son, who has a disability, both receive Social Security benefits, which they depend on to pay the rent. Because the rent is due by the 15th of each month and the Social Security checks do not arrive until the fourth Thursday of the month, Louise has struggled to pay the rent on time.

Dennis Harrison2021-09-07T12:49:06-04:00September 7th, 2021|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA secures home, income for mother and children after domestic violence incident

JALA secures home, income for mother and children after domestic violence incident

One night can dramatically change a parent and child’s life when violence infiltrates a home and a family. When it happened to “Arnette Bravely,” she made the tough choice to call upon law enforcement and the courts to help secure safety for herself and her family. She knew she and her children would face a lot of uncertainty, but she persisted and spoke out against her abuser.

Dennis Harrison2021-08-23T15:24:04-04:00August 23rd, 2021|Children's Health, Client Stories, Family Law|

JALA helps veteran retrieve belongings from his late son’s apartment

JALA helps veteran retrieve belongings from his late son’s apartment

When their son died, “Myra Smith” and “Gus Turner” wanted to recover his belongings from his apartment. Unfortunately, the landlord was not in a position to allow removal of their late son’s personal property until after the statutory 60-day waiting period, or until there was an order from a probate court for the personal representative of the estate to remove it.

Dennis Harrison2021-08-23T15:11:20-04:00August 23rd, 2021|Client Stories, Veterans Services|

Pro bono attorney helps widow and mother of three escape a nightmare home

Pro bono attorney helps widow and mother of three escape a nightmare home

Christina McEuen was still adjusting to life as a widowed mother of three when she signed a lease on a small home in the Mandarin neighborhood of Jacksonville in 2016. Almost immediately after moving in, McEuen found the house had leaks everywhere, including the roof, pipes, and water heater. When an outlet caught fire, she discovered the fire extinguisher didn’t work. The handyman sent to correct the problems essentially applied useless Band-Aids to gaping wounds. “This house was a nightmare,” said McEuen, who had been a server at St. Mary’s Seafood and More until she gave birth to a baby with a compromised immune system and other special needs, including severe autism. Early in her pregnancy, her husband had died in a trucking accident, so she was alone in caring for her little Mikey and his older brothers, William and Jeffrey.

Dennis Harrison2021-12-02T12:13:11-05:00July 20th, 2021|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Pro Bono|

Veterans Services Unit helps father keep majority time-sharing of his daughter

Veterans Services Unit helps father keep majority time-sharing of his daughter

In 2010, Troy Bragg, a post-9/11 veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, discovered he was the biological father of a daughter and immediately filed a petition for paternity on his own. His petition was granted, and he and his daughter’s mother reached a mutually agreeable parenting plan and time-share agreement. The judge’s order provided Bragg with majority time-share, which was successful for 10 years. But in August 2019, the girl’s mother began to take from Bragg’s time with their daughter and tried to alienate her from Bragg.

Dennis Harrison2022-09-23T11:15:06-04:00July 9th, 2021|Client Stories, Family Law, Veterans Services|

Veterans achieves legal ownership of inherited property with help from JALA

Veterans achieves legal ownership of inherited property with help from JALA

Rodney came to JALA’s Clay County office seeking help with probate on an estate he had inherited. Since he was a veteran, he was referred to JALA’s Veterans Services Unit. Declan Duffy, who leads the unit, drafted two separate petitions and three corresponding orders and filed each of them with the Clay County Clerk of Courts. These included an order to admit the will and one for homestead status on the family home.

Dennis Harrison2021-05-21T10:47:22-04:00May 21st, 2021|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Veterans Services|

JALA attorneys work together to help Army veteran retain custody of her baby

JALA attorneys work together to help Army veteran retain custody of her baby

“Julia,” 26, a U.S. Army veteran and mother of three, became pregnant and moved to Jacksonville to begin a new life with children, her partner and their soon-to-be-born child. But with the stress of the pandemic, cracks appeared in their relationship. After being with her for their baby’s birth, the father told Julia that he was going to take the baby to see his parents, who were visiting from out of town. Julia agreed. But it turned out that the baby’s father was in fact headed out of state with the baby. When she begged him to return, he refused.

Dennis Harrison2021-05-14T11:54:55-04:00May 14th, 2021|Client Stories, Family Law, Veterans Services|

JALA enables tenant to break lease on mold-infested apartment without penalty

JALA enables tenant to break lease on mold-infested apartment without penalty

One day, “Anais,” who lived in a subsidized apartment with her 14-year-old son, noticed severe mold and mildew in the living room air vents of her apartment. Soon, the infestation had spread throughout the unit. Anais has an autoimmune disease, and after the mold was discovered, her doctor diagnosed her with respiratory ailments that required treatment and medication.

Dennis Harrison2021-04-07T17:12:27-04:00April 7th, 2021|Children's Health, Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA helps veteran become legal guardian and keep teenager out of foster care

JALA helps veteran become legal guardian and keep teenager out of foster care

“James,” 70, had helped raise “Cole” since he was born in 2007. A veteran living primarily off his Social Security income, he had known Cole’s mother for almost two decades and had allowed her and Cole to live in his home even though they were not related. She and Cole had been abandoned by Cole’s father, and James had become a role model and source of stability in the young boy’s life.

Dennis Harrison2021-05-04T12:41:41-04:00March 31st, 2021|Client Stories, Veterans Services|