Client Stories Archives - Page 2 of 15 - Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.

JALA helps senior settle dispute over improper charges

JALA helps senior settle dispute over improper charges

Thelma Vo, 67, came to JALA after unsuccessfully disputing charges for dental services she had not been provided. She had X-rays done and was told she would need several crowns. She did not have insurance, so she paid out of pocket. That same day, she signed an agreement with a bank to finance any future dental services she might require. Vo decided to get a second opinion from an endodontist and, based on this second opinion, then called the dentist office to cancel any further appointments. She called the dental office repeatedly for weeks, never receiving a return call. In the meantime, she continued to be charged by the bank, which was auto-debiting her account in the amount of $164/month. Vo finally reached out directly to the lender to cancel her contract. She was told they would need to receive a cancellation report from the dentist before they could close out her account. The lender received a cancellation report, but it was not completed correctly by the dentist, so they did not act on it. By this time, $640 had been debited from Vo’s account, all for services she did not receive. The dentist never sent a corrected cancellation report to the lender, and the dentist argued that Vo did owe fees for a provisional crown it had ordered from its own lab. During the initial consult, Vo did not have any impressions done and was not provided with any documents regarding the cost of any additional services.

Dennis Harrison2024-01-04T11:30:05-05:00May 31st, 2023|Client Stories, Family Law|

JALA helps family obtain accommodation for toddler’s medically necessary equipment

JALA helps family obtain accommodation for toddler’s medically necessary equipment

“Darla” was referred to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid through its Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership in early 2023. She lives in public housing with her mother, brother and 2-year-old daughter. In February 2022, and again in December 2022 she requested of the housing authority, who runs the apartment complex, a reasonable accommodation to move to a four-bedroom apartment because her daughter needs her own bedroom for her medical equipment. In December 2022, that reasonable accommodation request was denied without explanation. Darla’s toddler is substantially limited in her major life activities of speaking, balance, cognitive function, and mobility. She attends “physical, occupational and speech therapy multiple times a week.” She has orthotics to help with her stability. She also has a “stander” which is a large piece of equipment “to hold her in a standing position.” She must use this piece of equipment to improve bone density, improve circulation and improve mobility with the goal of one day being able to stand by herself. She also uses an adaptive bike to teach her trunk control and to help with her strength and coordination since she cannot move independently. She is getting an adaptive walker and a medical bed to aid in daily life functions due to her risk of falling and lack of mobility.

Dennis Harrison2023-05-22T10:26:19-04:00May 22nd, 2023|Children's Health, Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA helps woman reach settlement with her former employer in sexual harassment case

JALA helps woman reach settlement with her former employer in sexual harassment case

After a year of unemployment, “Stacey” found what she thought would be her dream job, but it soon turned into a nightmare when she reported a coworker’s sexual harassment to human resources. As a purchasing agent for a mid-sized air conditioning company in Jacksonville, Stacey received frequent compliments on her work performance from the management. About a month into the job, she arrived at work and entered the office area through the company’s warehouse doors. There, she came upon a parts technician with his back towards her, and in an attempt to greet him, she tapped him on the shoulder. He then swiftly swung around and wrapped his left arm around her waist, while used his right hand to grab her buttocks.

Dennis Harrison2023-05-22T10:20:44-04:00May 2nd, 2023|Client Stories|

JALA helps employee of the U.S. Postal Service regain workplace accommodations

JALA helps employee of the U.S. Postal Service regain workplace accommodations

“Janie,” 65, had worked for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for more than 40 years, during which she developed mobility problems. By way of accommodation, she was given a permit that enabled her to park in a reserved space near the employee entrance and was provided a motorized scooter to get around the building. With these aides, she was able to perform her job. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was allowed to work from home for 10 months, during which these accommodations were not needed. When she returned to the office, her supervisor told her that USPS could no longer accommodate her with a parking permit or allow her to use one of their motorized scooters.

Dennis Harrison2024-01-04T11:38:13-05:00March 12th, 2023|Client Stories|

JALA helps low-income senior obtain a full homestead exemption

JALA helps low-income senior obtain a full homestead exemption

“Irene,” 80, had decades ago purchased a home for her mother and herself, but when her mother died in 1996, she lost half of the homestead exemption. She missed out on 25 years of the full property tax exemption, because only half of the property was in her name. JALA filed a probate action to transfer her late mother’s 50% interest in the home to Irene so she could claim the full exemption and better protect her modest 150% federal poverty level income.

Dennis Harrison2024-01-04T11:40:13-05:00March 1st, 2023|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

After JALA clears up title, woman obtains homestead exemption

After JALA clears up title, woman obtains homestead exemption

“Victoria,” 63, had inherited one-sixth of her late mother's homestead property, and most of her five siblings had given their one-sixth share to her. One brother, who had moved to the Philippines years ago, died without a will in 2011 as a citizen of the Philippines. He did not have a spouse or children. His only asset was his one-sixth share of the house in Jacksonville (worth about $11,000), so no probate action was filed in the Philippines.

Dennis Harrison2023-03-03T09:57:40-05:00March 1st, 2023|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA helps woman get disaster relief to restore her home after hurricane

JALA helps woman get disaster relief to restore her home after hurricane

After Hurricane Irma damaged her Hastings home, “Anita,” 60, who has disabilities, sought help from Restore St. Johns, the county’s hurricane housing recovery program. While Restore St. Johns was willing to repair or rebuild her home, the property had never been probated out of her late mother’s name. JALA, with the help of a pro bono title expert, sorted out the potential heirs and was able to get consent from Anita’s siblings to have the title transferred from their mother’s estate.

Dennis Harrison2024-01-04T11:42:27-05:00March 1st, 2023|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Pro Bono|

Veteran’s home saved from foreclosure through probate

Veteran’s home saved from foreclosure through probate

“Charles,” a 64-year-old veteran, came to JALA after losing a foreclosure case concerning his late mother’s home, where he had been residing since 2012. He had been making the payments after his mother’s death, but fell behind due to life-threatening health issues. He then fought on his own for seven years to save the home. By the time he came to JALA, a final judgment had already been entered and a sale date scheduled.

Dennis Harrison2024-01-04T11:41:46-05:00March 1st, 2023|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Veterans Services|

JALA helps clients save their family homes through probate, mortgage modification

JALA helps clients save their family homes through probate, mortgage modification

Having clear title to one’s home is often crucial to saving it, whether the threat is from potential foreclosure or a natural disaster. That’s because without clear title, the homeowner cannot negotiate with lenders or access federal aid, including disaster relief from FEMA or housing assistance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Jacksonville Area Legal Aid helps families avoid a potential foreclosure and access federal aid after a loved one passes away by helping them clear title through probate. "Probate is a complex and confusing process for many families," JALA President and CEO Jim Kowalski said. "But it is a crucial step in ensuring that a deceased person's property is properly transferred to their heirs. When families don't understand the importance of probate, they can put themselves at risk of losing their homes."

Dennis Harrison2024-01-04T11:43:59-05:00February 13th, 2023|Client Stories, Fair Housing, News, Tangled Title|

JALA helps Clay homeowner get a mortgage modification, help with HOA debt

JALA helps Clay homeowner get a mortgage modification, help with HOA debt

“Raymond,” who has a disability, was working a part-time job in addition to his full-time job in order to pay off the $6,000 he owed his homeowner’s association, which had initiated a foreclosure for the past due assessments. He was also behind on his mortgage. He and his two adult children, ages 18 and 20, share the family home, and he was in risk of losing it.

Dennis Harrison2024-01-04T11:51:15-05:00January 7th, 2023|Client Stories, Fair Housing|