March 6, 2025 by Ashley Norris
Lone Star Legal Aid’s Brandy Howard Protects Senior Client from Violent Relative
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 our client, swiftly took legal steps to secure protection. “I filed an application for a protective order and requested service of process on the Respondent. Everything went smoothly,” she explained. However, the road to justice was not without emotional and logistical hurdles.
One major concern was timing. Martha initially had a Magistrate’s Emergency Protective Order (MEPO), but it was set to expire on January 17, 2025. To ensure continuous protection, Brandy filed the case and arranged a hearing before the MEPO expired. “I obtained a final protective order for the client the day before her MEPO expired,” she noted.
Fear was a major factor throughout the case. “[Martha] was extremely fearful of the opposing party hurting her again,” Brandy shared. To provide additional layers of security, she referred the client to a local family violence agency. The agency assisted with safety planning and emotional support, helping the client navigate the process more confidently.
When the case began, Martha felt powerless. She worried about how she would make it to court and complete the required paperwork. However, with guidance from the family violence agency, she was able to complete the necessary documents and secure transportation to the hearing. The agency also accompanied her to court, providing much-needed reassurance.
As the case progressed, Martha became more engaged in her own protection. “I noticed that she sent additional records to law enforcement to aid in the criminal investigation,” Brandy recalled. This marked a significant shift from fear to empowerment.
Securing a protective order was only part of the solution. Given that the opposing party lived just a few miles from her home, Brandy advised Martha on her legal options to terminate her lease early. “She indicated she would consider the option,” Brandy said, recognizing that relocating could further enhance the client’s safety.
Cases like this highlight the essential role of legal aid for survivors of violence, particularly for older adults. “The client did not have the financial resources to hire a private attorney,” Brandy pointed out. “The lack of financial resources should not be a barrier to accessing safety-related orders from the civil legal justice system.”
Legal aid services provide vulnerable individuals with critical protection that they may otherwise be unable to obtain. “I want everyone to understand how vulnerable older adults are to violence,” Brandy emphasized. “And that free legal services are critical to providing older adults and survivors of violence legal options to promptly address safety concerns.”
Thanks to the support of Lone Star Legal Aid, Martha can now move forward with greater security and peace of mind. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence and needs legal assistance, help is available.
How to Apply for Legal Aid:
1. Visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org and click “Apply for Help.”
2. Fill out our application with the required information and our team will review your case.
3. If you’re facing urgent legal issues like eviction or lockout, lack of heating in winter, or an upcoming court date, call us at 1-800-733-8394 to follow up on your application.
4. If you are in immediate danger, always call 9-1-1 first.
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the client(s).
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. LSLA focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety, stability, health, and wellbeing; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those with disabilities, the aging, survivors of crime and disasters, the unemployed and underemployed, the unhoused, those with limited English language skills, and the LGBTQIA+ community. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
