News and stories about our work to protect and advance the civil legal rights of low-income Texans.
Estate planning is more than just drafting a will—it’s about ensuring that a person’s wishes are carried out efficiently and legally after they pass. Without proper planning, an estate often has to go through probate, a court process that can be time-consuming and costly. By setting up the right legal documents, individuals can avoid probate and ensure their assets go […]
Amelia bought a home directly from a homeowner. Amelia and the seller did not use a title company to finalize the sale and purchase of the home. She also agreed to buy the property as is, meaning she would be responsible for repairing any issues with the property once the sale was finalized. Thirty-six years later, Amelia came to Lone […]
Lauren wasn’t exactly a renter, but she wasn’t a homeowner either. When she received an eviction notice, she called Lone Star Legal Aid. It was 2021, and she was five years into a six-year, rent-to-own contract. In other words, Lauren bought her house directly from the seller. No bank, no mortgage, no middle-man. The owner drew up a contract and […]
We met Evelyn Smith at our first court help desk, an in-person outreach event, at the Harris County Civil Courthouse on Caroline Street in Houston. Evelyn was being evicted for nonpayment of rent, and she had no resources to move. Eric Kwartler, Managing Attorney of our Eviction Right to Counsel, took on her case, noting that Evelyn was “a nice […]
Laura was attacked by her husband, Ron, leaving her feeling scared. Lone Star Legal Aid’s (LSLA) Crime Victims Unit Staff Attorney, Cheranda Robertson, went above and beyond to obtain a new life for Laura and her son Christian, bringing her peace just in time for Christmas and a fresh start in the new year. Laura and Ron shared a seven-year-old […]
Mr. Hawkins’ family was living in a mobile home on a property under an agreement where they worked on the land in lieu of paying rent. While this work exchange is considered legal in Texas, all agreements with the landlord were verbal. When the landlord passed away in November 2023, their daughter took over the property and demanded rent from […]
Life’s challenges can sometimes become overwhelming, especially for those with disabilities facing financial hardship. At Lone Star Legal Aid, we strive to advocate for individuals who find themselves in difficult circumstances. One such client was Lauren, a determined woman who, after facing a divorce and serious health issues, sought our help in securing her rightful Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. […]
Sophia and Ricky were married for five years and had four children together, two of whom were autistic. She has always been a very dedicated mother, supporting her family in the face of intense adversity. She found herself in circumstances she never thought she would be in, and her protective instincts kicked in. Ricky did not express any abusive behaviors […]
Mona Aarons, a 40-year-old married mother of three, faced an uncertain future when she and her family were served with an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent. Living in Houston, Mona and her husband both worked, bringing in a combined income of $4,800 per month, but rising expenses and unexpected challenges left them unable to pay two months’ rent of […]
Stephanie Hume, a 46-year-old single mother of three, faced an uphill battle after her home was heavily damaged during the April/May 2024 storms. She had inherited her father’s home after his passing, but the property records had never been updated to reflect her ownership. While her father’s will was probated, and she was named the sole heir, FEMA denied her […]
After a hurricane struck her home, Sierra received an eviction notice just a week later—a devastating shock. She couldn’t understand why, as she had paid her rent in full. Confused and anxious, she reached out to Lone Star Legal Aid for help. Sierra had qualified for public housing, which provided her with an affordable rent. Securing public housing requires a […]
For many, caring for animals is a simple act of kindness. For Mr. Goodall, a senior living in a 55+ community, feeding a few stray cats turned into a heated legal battle. The property manager of his senior community insisted that Mr. Goodall pay “pet rent” for the strays he was feeding, even though he was simply working to get […]
Cecelia, a 50-year-old Houston woman with a disability, lived with her mother in their family home for several years. Cecelia’s mother had twelve children, some of whom she outlived. When she passed away without a will, Cecelia found herself unable to afford the high property taxes and at risk of foreclosure. Desperate for help, Cecelia contacted Lone Star Legal Aid. […]
For many, caring for animals is a simple act of kindness. For Mr. Goodall, a senior living in a 55+ community, feeding a few stray cats turned into a heated legal battle. The property manager of his senior community insisted that Mr. Goodall pay “pet rent” for the strays he was feeding, even though he was simply working to get […]
Leaving an abusive relationship is challenging in and of itself, but it can feel almost impossible when also facing financial struggles. Irene, a veteran mother in Texas, sought freedom from an abusive relationship, determined to gain control of her life and provide stability for her daughter. When Irene’s husband Derek moved out, she changed the locks to protect her and […]
Pat, a grandfather of two boys ages one and three, called Lone Star Legal Aid seeking custody of his grandsons after the boys’ parents, Hannah and Jonathan, were incarcerated following their conviction for causing the death of the boys’ infant sibling. The infant boy was smothered between a mattress and a wall while the parents were under the influence of […]
Alex suffers from a kidney disorder, insulin-dependent diabetes, a learning disability, and severe depression. Alex also cannot walk without a walker or wheelchair. He was diagnosed with diabetes at age six but wasn’t diagnosed with depression until 18. His condition has been worsening over time, causing fluid in his legs and requiring one to three hospital visits year on average. […]
Claire met Drew at church in Illinois, and they quickly connected, fell in love, and got married. They were 25 years old. Claire says Drew seemed like the perfect man, but she later learned that all his kindness and lavish treatment toward her during their short honeymoon phase was what experts in family violence refer to as “love bombing.” It […]
Morgan is a 20-year-old diagnosed with ADHD, Autistic Disorder, Aspergers Syndrome, depression, and seizures. He was employed at Walmart, Sears, and Home Depot as a maintenance man, placing work orders, stocking, and unloading furniture. He failed to meet production demands which caused him stress and anxiety and eventually lost focus of his work tasks. He was later fired for poor […]
Mark is a minor facing various disabilities and health challenges. His mom, Laura, found out about the Medicaid denial when she tried to take him to the doctor. Laura turned to Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) to appeal the denial and address the mistakes made by Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) in her son’s case. She shared that because […]
