News and stories about our work to protect and advance the civil legal rights of low-income Texans.
Paris Groves is a disabled veteran relying on VA compensation benefits to make ends meet. Her adult son, who attends school in Chicago, lives with his father. One day, her son abruptly became unresponsive and went missing. After a search, he was found in a catatonic state, unable to speak or move on his own. His condition left his body […]
In 2010-2011, Danay Jones was battling alcoholism and depression, challenges that ultimately led to an event that changed the course of her life. Facing three felony charges, she found herself trapped in a legal system that often leaves individuals with few options for redemption. Fortunately, her defense attorney, Melissa Morris, was able to get two of her charges dismissed. However, […]
At Lone Star Legal Aid, we are always looking for innovative ways to improve efficiency and enhance access to legal services. Our AI chatbot initiative is one such effort, and we’ve made significant progress over the past month. LSLAsks: Streamlining Administrative Processes On February 12, we met with our accounting department to discuss LSLAsks, our internal chatbot designed to streamline […]
At 70 years old, our client, Martha, faced an unimaginable ordeal. She was violently assaulted by a relative. Despite her fears of retaliation, she courageously reported the crime and sought legal protection. With the help of Lone Star Legal Aid, she was able to obtain a protective order, ensuring her safety and well-being. Brandy Howard, the staff attorney who represented […]
After a serious surgery in 2019, Donald qualified for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). But then, five years later, in January 2024, Donald received a letter saying he no longer qualified for SSDI. He called Lone Star Legal Aid for help. SSDI is a payroll tax-funded federal insurance program of the United States federal government. Managed by the Social Security […]
Mr. Soublet, a 60-year-old man who has survived several natural disasters, was struggling to make ends meet. His only income came from Social Security benefits, which were being reduced to pay off old debts to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Social Security Administration. Because of this, he did not have enough money to pay his rent and faced eviction […]
Gloria Ramirez is a devoted mother to her adult daughter, who was born with a rare chromosomal condition that severely impacts her development. Her daughter has no awareness of her identity, is unable to hear or speak, and requires assistance with walking. As her primary caregiver, Gloria manages every aspect of her daughter’s daily life, including her medical needs. However, […]
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 […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, February 14, 2025 Media contact: Texas Housers – Michael Depland, michael@texashousing.org Lone Star Legal Aid – Clarissa Ayala, cayala@lonestarlegal.org Houston Young Lawyers Association – Cassie Maneen, cmaneen@beckredden.com CCPPI – Lorenzo Salinas, lorenzo.salinas@ccppi.org HOUSTON, TX – Texas Housers, Lone Star Legal Aid, Houston Young Lawyers Association, Beck Redden, and CCPPI are hosting a public film screening […]
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 […]
Houston, Texas—Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded three Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to implement innovative technology to advance access to justice and improve legal services. LSLA will advance its Legal Aid Content Intelligence (LACI) software, which tracks changes in laws and regulations to keep legal content […]
In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.
Taxpayers may be eligible for a $1,400 stimulus check if they were overlooked during the first wave of checks in 2021. When the IRS sent out stimulus checks due to the financial adversity caused by COVID-19, many taxpayers failed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their tax returns. The IRS will be paying $2.4 billion to one million Americans […]
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 […]
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) honored the dedication of 27 employees during its final quarterly board meeting in 2024. Certificates of Appreciation, presented by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), recognized these individuals for their remarkable service of 25 years or more to advancing justice for underserved communities. Highlighting the ceremony were employees with exemplary tenures, including Gloretta Thornton, honored for […]
In observance of Christmas, Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed. All offices will reopen on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.
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. […]
