Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Update on free (Pro Bono) Legal Clinics in Houston

Here is the latest "gossip" on the free (pro bono) legal clinics in the Houston area regarding family law cases --

Update:  Some of this info might not be correct -- so you need to call & find out what is going on with each of these agencies!


Family law is defined as divorce, child support, child custody, paternity, etc.

Cases such as wills, powers of attorney, living wills, probate, guardianship of an elderly parent, guardianship of a disabled child over the age of 18 are handled in probate court and are not considered family law cases -- these are probate cases.



Texas South University Law School -- no longer has a family law clinic - :(
I'm not sure what is happening at TSU - call them for details regarding their free clinic.

South Texas College of Law -- does not accept contested family law cases & they only accept cases that their students can handle within one semester because they are a teaching clinic-- so they must be easy family law cases. You will be dealing with law school students supervised by professors that are licensed attorneys.

I think they handle uncontested divorces, wills & probate matters, name changes & social security disability cases -- they used to do so -- but sometimes their policies change without notice.

South Texas Legal Aid Clinic
713-652-0009

University of Houston Law School -- will accept contested family law cases, but they must fit within the one semester rule (just like STCL) because they are also a teaching clinic.

University of Houston Law Center Clinical Programs
713-743-2094

Houston Volunteer Lawyers (formerly known as Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program) -- has a 6 month waiting period if you are accepted into their family law program.  If your case is not a family law case, then the wait time will be shorter probably.    (I worked there many years ago & was a volunteer for many years - now I only mediate so they have not used my services even though I have offered my services repeatedly.)

Houston Volunteer Lawyers
713-228-0732
www.hvlp.org

Lone Star Legal Aid - not accepting any new family law cases at the present time but they will give "advice".
www.onestarlegal.org
713-652-0077
800-733-8394

ADVA - Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse - accepts domestic violence cases only.

Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
713-224-9911
www.avda-tx.org

Disability Rights Inc - accepts special education cases.
I don't know anything about this group - it's a new group to me.


TO FIND OTHER RESOURCES IN THE HOUSTON AREA, TRY...
Houston Volunteer Lawyers at 713-228-0732, they will try to refer you to other legal service providers.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...

Houston Bar Association legal Line
713-759-1133
Ask a lawyer a simple legal question
5 pm - 9 pm - 1st & 3rd Wednesdays each month
www.hba.org

Houston Lawyer Referral Service
713-237-9429
www.hlrs.org
Get the name of 3 attorneys in any area that you need & you get a discount 15 minute consultation then you decide if you want to hire this attorney.
(FYI: I did this in another state when I had a legal problem & it worked wonderful.  I "googled" the 3 attorneys & researched them before I contacted them.  I hired the one that I thought fit my needs the best. )

Houston Bar Association - Family Law Handbook
Excellent handbook - well written in easy to understand language
www.hba.org
Available for free on-line - look under "publications" - available in other languages too!
Several other handbooks on other popular topics too!



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