Client Stories Archives - Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.

JALA and City of Jacksonville team up to save widow’s home

JALA and City of Jacksonville team up to save widow’s home

“Valerie,” the widow of a veteran, was in imminent danger of losing her home to foreclosure when she reached out to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid for help. The home was set to go up for auction within three weeks when JALA Housing Counselor Marissa Vetter leapt into action on her case. “I was very terrified of losing my home,” Valerie said. “She understood the urgency and wanted to help me right away with the limited time that we had. She sent me the list of documents I needed to get. I got her all the documents she needed me to get and completed the required financial education courses.” Vetter said the resolution of the case happened in record time, in large part because of Valerie’s diligence, but also because of teamwork involving staff from both JALA and the City of Jacksonville’s Foreclosure Intervention Program, which provided funds to help Valerie get caught up on her mortgage.

Dennis Harrison2025-03-31T17:50:37-04:00March 31st, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Veterans Services|

JALA helps clients keep their home during financial hardships

JALA helps clients keep their home during financial hardships

After facing severe financial struggles, “Charles,” not his real name, and his wife were on the verge of losing their home. Thanks to the help of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA), their situation was turned around, and they were able to retain their property. Charles, a self-employed contractor, had faced a tough financial year even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With two clients backing out of contracts, his income was significantly impacted. Despite efforts to recover, the situation worsened, and he was forced to apply for a mortgage modification. Things took a further turn for the worse as the pandemic compounded the financial strain, leaving Charles and his wife with dwindling savings and mounting pressures.

Dennis Harrison2025-03-31T17:42:57-04:00March 31st, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Tangled Title|

JALA helps client secure transfer of home and vehicle ownership

JALA helps client secure transfer of home and vehicle ownership

Following the unexpected passing of her husband, “Lisa,” not her real name, needed guidance to secure ownership of her home and vehicle. JALA Attorney Jessica Farmer assisted Lisa through the probate process, ensuring she could remain in the family home with clear legal title. Lisa’s late husband had children from a previous marriage, but they fully supported her right to the home. Under probate statutes, the children had to be included in the legal process before transferring their interest. JALA utilized a legal form called a quitclaim deed to officially place ownership in Lisa’s name. After smooth transfer of title, Lisa sought to also claim her husband’s vehicle as exempt property, allowing her to take full ownership without legal complications.

Dennis Harrison2025-02-25T14:44:25-05:00February 25th, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Tangled Title|

JALA helps client with disabilities delay a difficult move

JALA helps client with disabilities delay a difficult move

“Sam,” not his real name, turned to JALA for help after receiving a notice of nonrenewal from his landlord, leaving him with little time to find a new place to live. This was a particularly difficult situation for Sam, who uses a wheelchair due to back and leg problems. He had a lot of belongings and nowhere else to go and generally felt alone in his situation. JALA’s Veteran’s Service Unit contacted Mission United, which in turn connected Sam with a number of veteran’s service organizations to assist him with his many needs. One of his biggest needs, though, was to buy a little extra time before he had to move out. JALA attorney Richard Cloninger was key in solving that problem. He contacted the landlord on Sam’s behalf and got them to agree to give Sam an additional 30 days.

Dennis Harrison2025-02-18T14:59:36-05:00February 18th, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Veterans Services|

JALA helps client secure the benefits of home ownership through probate

JALA helps client secure the benefits of home ownership through probate

Following the death of her mother, “Kendall,” not her real name, needed help transferring the family home into her name. JALA Attorney Jessica Farmer successfully guided Kendall through the probate process to secure full ownership of her family home. Kendall had been living in the home but faced challenges with probate, the legal process required to officially claim ownership of inherited property. Fortunately, creditor concerns were not an issue, with more than two years having passed since her mother’s death. With several siblings, all of whom were on board for the probate process, the case required coordination with the family to obtain waivers, which took some time. After obtaining the deed and preparing the pleadings, Farmer filed the case and promptly requested court orders, which were granted. Kendall was thrilled to receive the orders for the title transfer. Among other benefits, gaining title to the home allowed her to claim her portion of the homestead exemption.

Dennis Harrison2025-01-27T14:10:57-05:00January 27th, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Family Law, Shelter for Elders, Tangled Title|

JALA client learns an important lesson about signing agreements without first reading them

JALA client learns an important lesson about signing agreements without first reading them

“John” applied for a HVAC technician position that was advertised online. Within hours of submitting his application, he was having a phone

Dennis Harrison2024-12-19T13:05:49-05:00December 19th, 2024|Client Stories|

JALA helps veteran get discharge upgrade that restores his benefits and his pride

JALA helps veteran get discharge upgrade that restores his benefits and his pride

At 17,“James Gadbury,” not his real name, enlisted in the Marines, drawn by the desire to challenge himself and step out of his comfort zone. During his three years of service, he was stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, a stressful environment where understaffing left him little time for rest, and where a toxic command culture brushed aside his mental and physical health concerns. After an incident involving other Marines occurred in his presence, Gadbury took responsibility for not intervening, which resulted in him serving time in the brig and receiving a demotion in rank. Although it was the only blemish on an otherwise stellar record of service, his plea agreement unexpectedly culminated in an “other-than-honorable” discharge, leaving him devastated and grappling with guilt and grief over his lost military career. Unfortunately, such instances are not uncommon, and the consequences can be life-altering.

Dennis Harrison2024-08-13T17:08:54-04:00August 13th, 2024|Client Stories, Veterans Services|

JALA helps Jacksonville woman save her home after health problems left her behind on HOA payments

JALA helps Jacksonville woman save her home after health problems left her behind on HOA payments

Due to major health issues, “Nicole” struggled to keep up with her homeowners association dues. As her illness progressed, she had to undergo multiple corrective surgeries after the original was botched, and she fell further behind on her payments, which exacerbated her already challenging circumstances. With the threat of foreclosure looming, Nicole was referred to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and connected with Joy Bryant-Baucum, a housing counselor in JALA’s Jacksonville Office. Bryant-Baucum provided guidance and support, meticulously walking Nicole through the application process for the City of Jacksonville’s Foreclosure Intervention Program funds and making sure her paperwork was promptly submitted while keeping Nicole informed at every step.

Dennis Harrison2024-08-12T14:43:13-04:00August 12th, 2024|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA gets wrongfully garnished wages returned to local grandmother

JALA gets wrongfully garnished wages returned to local grandmother

“Lorraine,” a part-time caregiver of her grandchild, was already struggling to pay her bills each month when her wages started being wrongfully garnished for an alleged debt of $11,762.49. In addition to her regular expenses, she had undergone five eye surgeries, making her financial situation more burdensome. Because some of her wages were being withheld, Lorraine couldn't pay her rent and bills, nor keep food on the table without borrowing money.

Dennis Harrison2024-07-12T17:33:22-04:00July 12th, 2024|Client Stories, Family Law|

JALA helps woman relocate with her children after harassment from ex-husband

JALA helps woman relocate with her children after harassment from ex-husband

Represented by JALA attorney Michelle Broyles, “Yvette” was awarded sole parental responsibility and 100% timesharing for her four minor children in 2021 in a divorce from her husband, who was allowed supervised visits after being released from jail in California for serious crimes. Now engaged to a man with whom she has a 14-month-old son, she and her partner plan to move to the Washington, DC, area, where her partner was offered a job at a law school, and where they both have family. In the meantime, Yvette’s ex-husband began showing up at the children’s schools and trying to take them with him, as well as watching Yvette’s house and waiting until the kids were home and she was not, then convincing them to let him in and go places with him. Her fiancé moved in, and her ex-husband began showing up with law enforcement officers and demanding the children from him, causing Yvette to have to regularly leave work to handle the situation. She kept a copy of the final judgement from the divorce with her at all times for this reason. The repeated absences from these incidents cost Yvette her job.

Dennis Harrison2024-05-01T14:13:44-04:00May 1st, 2024|Client Stories, Family Law|