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 […]
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. This 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. […]
In observance of Thanksgiving, Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed. All offices will reopen on Monday, December 2, 2024. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, November 20, 2024 Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid’s Environmental Justice (EJ) team, in partnership with community advocates, has successfully paused the proposed development of a low-income housing project on top of a closed landfill in the Alief area. The envisioned housing complex, called Kirkwood Crossing Apartments, has faced growing criticism for planning to […]
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 […]
For Immediate Release November 19, 2024 Lone Star Legal Aid proudly hosted a series of impactful events and community education presentations last week as part of Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week (TVLAW). Designed to provide critical legal resources to veterans and their dependents, these events addressed common legal challenges faced by those who have served our nation. Throughout the week, […]
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 […]
