Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Celebrates 2021 Legislative Accomplishments
Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Budget Highlighting Strong Support for Florida’s 1.5 Million Veterans, Their Families, and Survivors TALLAHASSEE – Thanks to a
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.
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.
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.
Susannah Collins serves veterans, domestic violence survivors and others pro bono
Susannah Collins is a family law attorney, social investigator, attorney ad litem, and Florida Supreme Court certified family law mediator whose law office is located in Jacksonville’s historic district of Riverside. Her practice focuses on all areas of family law, including divorce, paternity, domestic violence, child time sharing, alimony, enforcement, civil parental kidnapping, and extended family adoptions. Since her practice began nearly 20 years ago, Collins has also offered many legal services pro bono.
Susan E. Mack’s pro bono service provides life-changing benefits to her clients
Susan E.Mack has practiced law for 37 years as a senior corporate counsel and general counsel in the area of insurance and reinsurance transactions. Currently partner and pro bono coordinator at the firm Adams and Reese, Mack has demonstrated a strong commitment to pro bono service.
JALA helps veteran obtain housing that accommodates his PTSD
“Sebastian,” 67, a veteran who suffers from PTSD and other service-connected psychological and emotional issues, contacted St. Johns County Legal Aid for help when his quiet upstairs neighbors moved away and were replaced by a noisy family.
Army veteran goes to JALA for help with divorce, comes away with a veteran’s pension
A U.S. Army veteran, “Reginald,” 70, had been living on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and part-time wages as a handyman, earning less than $12,000 a year. Reginald, who had been diagnosed with two different types of cancer, applied to JALA for help with a divorce and was referred to the Veterans Services Unit.
Foreclosure lawsuit against older veteran dismissed thanks to JALA
“Henry,” a 70-year-old veteran, found himself facing a foreclosure lawsuit. Intimidated by the legal process and still grieving after the lengthy illness and death of his wife, he failed to respond to the court and eventually turned to JALA for assistance after a foreclosure judgment had been entered.
Veteran’s home saved by JALA and St. Johns Housing Partnership
As a result of a series of health issues and his wife’s terminal cancer, 59-year-old “Bill,” a U.S. veteran, fell behind on his mortgage payments. He then neglected the resulting foreclosure lawsuit while nursing his wife until her death. Eventually, he turned to JALA for help.