November 9, 2017




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Greetings,  

As we prepare to honor our nation's brave warriors this Saturday, I encourage you to pay special attention to two of PLC's Operation Veterans Re-Entry matters in this case list. You can help a pair of married veterans fighting against a predatory training school or a father of two seeking a discharge upgrade. On behalf of all our veteran clients, thank you for serving them in their time of need.

One of the ways PLC has expanded the services offered to the Orange County community is by focusing on specific populations within our larger substantive legal areas of expertise. For instance, our Victims of Crime project focuses on family law and immigration work, but specifically works closely with individuals who have been a victim of crime. The goal is to provide additional wraparound services to our clients who are facing the additional mental, emotional and physical recovery that results from being a survivor.

Just recently, PLC added another attorney to specifically focus on working with individuals over the age of 60 who have been abused, whether that abuse is physical, emotional, mental or financial. We see quite a few cases involving elder financial abuse, and people over the age of 60 generally being taken advantage of by financial institutions, housing providers and other larger, more powerful entities. Recently we have had an influx of cases, involving mobile home issues and probate issues. We are looking for volunteers willing to work with these clients to help them live the remainder of their (hopefully long) lives without worrying about their housing, their finances or their safety. Please reach out to me if you have an interest in working with these clients.

Finally, a special thank you is due to all our pro bono attorneys who are veterans themselves. Your continued service to your country and your community is truly commendable.


Sincerely,
Leigh Ferrin,
Directing Attorney,
Pro Bono Programs

We Make Pro Bono Easy!
 
PLC is here to support you in your pro bono representation.
 
Did you know that PLC staff can:
  • Answer questions you may have related to your case;
  • Provide a mentor to help you;
  • Supply you with samples and manuals in many areas of the law;
  • Review documents and pleadings;
  • Provide interpretation support in Spanish and Vietnamese;
  • Arrange office space for you to meet with your client at PLC; and
  • Provide malpractice coverage for your PLC pro bono case 

Please contact Leigh Ferrin with any questions.

 

ADOPTION
 
No cases at this time.
APPEALS
 
Appeal of Denial of Restraining Order, PLC 17E-1038012
Client is seeking assistance with appealing the denial of her petition for a domestic violence restraining order. Client sought to modify a custody order through a restraining order petition in order to protect her family from further domestic abuse. The domestic violence was documented and witnesses from a domestic violence shelter provided written testimony to the court. The notice of appeal may need to be filed in pro per, but a volunteer could substitute in immediately.
 
Appeal of Denial of Claim of Exemption, PLC 17-103
Client was sued by a former landlord but was never provided notice of the lawsuit. The first she heard of it was when she received a notice of wage garnishment. Client earns less than the federal minimum wage, which should exempt her from automatic wage garnishment. However, the judge ordered a certain amount to be withheld from her wages each month. Client seeks assistance appealing the denial of the claim of exemption based on the miscalculation of her income.
*PLC recently handled a similar case and can provide substantial technical support*
BANKRUPTCY
 
Bankruptcy, PLC 17E-1038937
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaking male in his 40s with approximately $15,000 of debt. Client immigrated from a Central American country and has spent his entire decade here working hard to put his children back home through college. Unfortunately, he is no longer able to keep up with his monthly credit card payments and as the sole provider for his family, he fears getting his wages garnished.   

Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1038135
Client is in her 60s and receives only pension and Social Security. Client has a long-term illness and is in the middle of a divorce. Client has been sued by two creditors. She seeks assistance filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge her debts primarily for peace of mind.
 
Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1038215
Client is in her 60s and has several medical conditions. Client's inability to repay her significant debts causes her great stress. She seeks the assistance of a pro bono attorney to help her discharge her debts in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and allow her to focus on improving her health.
 
Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1038244
Clients are a married couple in their early 30s. Clients' low income has made it impossible for them to repay their debts while continuing to provide for themselves and their young daughter. They seek pro bono assistance to discharge their debts in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and obtain a fresh start for their family.

Bankruptcy, PLC 16-1036835
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her early 40s with debts totaling about $35,000. Client is low-income and stopped paying her credit cards in early 2016 because she was unable to continue making payments while helping to support her 4 children. She fears possible wage garnishments in the future. Client seeks help filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge her debts.
Email Directing Attorney Leigh Ferrin

Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1038132
Client is an English speaking woman in her 50s with about $35,000 of unsecured debt that she cannot afford to repay. Client is low-income and her disability makes it unlikely that she will be able to increase her income in the near future. She seeks the assistance of a volunteer attorney to help her discharge her debts in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.   
Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1037964
Client is an English speaking woman in her mid 30s with just over $20,000 of unsecured debt. Client left her abusive ex-boyfriend and is now a single mother to her baby daughter. Client cannot afford to repay her debts while continuing to support herself and her daughter. She seeks the assistance of a volunteer attorney to help her file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1037627

Client is an monolingual Spanish speaking woman in her 40s with a little under $15,000 of unsecured debt. Client provides for her two young daughters and can no longer afford to support her family while continuing to pay her debts. She seeks assistance filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge her debts.
BENEFITS
 
No cases at this time.
CONSERVATORSHIP
 
No cases at this time.
CONSUMER 

Insurance Dispute, PLC 17-1037378
Client is a veteran who owns a condominium in Orange County. An incident recently occurred in the community that damaged Client's personal property. The insurance for the homeowners association is refusing to cover the damage, leaving Client in a difficult situation because he cannot afford to repair the property. Client would like assistance pursuing the insurance company to obtain coverage.
 
Debt Collection Defense - Motion to Vacate, PLC 17E-1038016
Client was sued on a medical debt that she believes should have been covered by insurance. Client is a single mother and does not have reliable transportation. Once the lawsuit was filed, Client was unsure how to respond, since she believed insurance had paid the costs. A default judgment was entered against her less than six months ago. Client would like assistance vacating the judgment and defending the lawsuit.

Unfair Sales Practices, PLC 17E-1038558
Clients are a mother and daughter who purchased a car in 2016. The negotiations took place in Spanish, but the only contract they received was in English. After less than a year, the car began having issues. Clients took the car to a second dealership, where they were given a report that disclosed the car as having twice as many miles as had been reported at the time of purchase. Two dealerships declined to service the car because of this issue. Clients can no longer drive the car. They seek assistance rescinding the contract, obtaining a refund of all payments made on the car and enforcing any other remedies they may have.
 
Predatory Training School, PLC 17E-1038290
Clients are a married couple and are both veterans. After they were discharged from the military, they sought to enter truck driving school to "retire" together and drive around the country. Clients entered into an agreement where they agreed to repay the cost of the training by agreeing to drive for the company for a certain number of months. For various reasons, Clients were unable to complete the commitment and now have collection agencies trying to collect from them. Clients seek assistance fighting the alleged debt as they believe the training was inadequate.
 
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037416  
Client is in her 70s and has been sued by a creditor. Based on the documents the plaintiff has provided in this case, Client does not believe she owes the collector any money. Client has filed a response to the complaint and has responded to discovery in pro per. Client seeks assistance further defending herself in this matter.
 
Contract Dispute - Energy Efficient Home Improvements, PLC 17-1037440
Client is in her 60s and receives primarily Social Security income. Client sought to make energy efficient improvements to her home and discovered the PACE program, so that the work could be financed through her property taxes. However, once she began working with the contractor and the coordinator, things did not go as planned. The work at Client's home was never completed, but she has already begun paying an increased amount in her property taxes. Client would like assistance resolving the dispute with the contractor and the company administering the PACE program.
CONTRACTS 

Debt Collection Defense - Motion to Vacate, PLC 17E-1038016
Client was sued on a medical debt that she believes should have been covered by insurance. Client is a single mother and does not have reliable transportation. Once the lawsuit was filed, Client was unsure how to respond, since she believed insurance had paid the costs. A default judgment was entered against her less than six months ago. Client would like assistance vacating the judgment and defending the lawsuit.

Unfair Sales Practices, PLC 17E-1038558
Clients are a mother and daughter who purchased a car in 2016. The negotiations took place in Spanish, but the only contract they received was in English. After less than a year, the car began having issues. Clients took the car to a second dealership, where they were given a report that disclosed the car as having twice as many miles as had been reported at the time of purchase. Two dealerships declined to service the car because of this issue. Clients can no longer drive the car. They seek assistance rescinding the contract, obtaining a refund of all payments made on the car and enforcing any other remedies they may have.
 
Contract Dispute - Energy Efficient Home Improvements, PLC 17-1037440
Client is in her 60s and receives primarily Social Security income. Client sought to make energy efficient improvements to her home and discovered the PACE program, so that the work could be financed through her property taxes. However, once she began working with the contractor and the coordinator, things did not go as planned. The work at Client's home was never completed, but she has already begun paying an increased amount in her property taxes. Client would like assistance resolving the dispute with the contractor and the company administering the PACE program.
CUSTODY

Divorce and Child Custody, PLC 17E-1038261
Client is a single mother of a young son and a survivor of domestic violence. Client is seeking assistance with two upcoming hearings relating to her dissolution and custody. Adverse Party is represented and open to settlement. Client will not be seeking any property or spousal support, and Client and Adverse Party have no debts in common. Client will need assistance with discovery to determine Adverse's assets. Client is a dedicated educator and hopes to focus on caring for her son and her teaching career.
 
Divorce and Child Custody, PLC 17-1038253
Client is a single mother of two young children and a survivor of domestic violence. She needs assistance with an initial petition for divorce. Client has an active Criminal Protective Order against Adverse Party and he is currently in police custody pending prosecution. Client will be seeking a share of Adverse Party's 401K plan. Client works in the medical field and works every day to save the lives of Orange County community members.  
 
Custody/Visitation, PLC 17-1038136
Client is seeking assistance with a parentage/custody matter involving her one year old daughter.  Client is a survivor of domestic violence.  Father is addicted to various drugs and is not mentally stable. Client does not have a restraining order, but feels she does not need one as father resides in Illinois. Client is primarily concerned with ensuring she can provide a stable future for her daughter.
DISABILITY RIGHTS
 
No cases at this time.
DISSOLUTIONDissolution

Divorce and Child Custody, PLC 17E-1038261
Client is a single mother of a young son and a survivor of domestic violence. Client is seeking assistance with two upcoming hearings relating to her dissolution and custody. Adverse Party is represented and open to settlement. Client will not be seeking any property or spousal support, and Client and Adverse Party have no debts in common. Client will need assistance with discovery to determine Adverse's assets. Client is a dedicated educator and hopes to focus on caring for her son and her teaching career.
 
Divorce and Child Custody, PLC 17-1038253
Client is a single mother of two young children and a survivor of domestic violence. She needs assistance with an initial petition for divorce. Client has an active Criminal Protective Order against Adverse Party and he is currently in police custody pending prosecution. Client will be seeking a share of Adverse Party's 401K plan. Client works in the medical field and works every day to save the lives of Orange County community members.  
EMPLOYMENT
 
No cases at this time.
GUARDIANSHIP

No cases at this time.
HOMEOWNERSHIPHomeownership 

Mobile Home Owner Dispute, PLC 17-1038953
Client is a senior citizen who currently lives in a mobilehome park in Orange County.  Client got sick and was unable to work, which made her late on the space rent payments.  Client was told by the park manager that if she transferred over title of her mobilehome to the park, she could live there rent free.  Client signed over title of her mobilehome over five years ago, but was recently told if she could not pay she would have to leave the park.  Client would like assistance resolving the dispute with the mobilehome park.

Mobile Home Owner Dispute, PLC 17-1038034
Client's mother, who owned a mobile home located in a park in Orange County, recently passed away. Client is the sole heir, as Client believes is memorialized in her mother's will. After some back and forth with the park, Client was able to access the mobile home to claim her mother's personal belongings, which included the will. Client would like to sell the mobile home since she does not need to live in it, but the park is refusing to accept space rent and is telling Client she is not allowed to sell the mobile home. Client would like assistance resolving the dispute with the mobile home park.
 
Contract Dispute - Energy Efficient Home Improvements, PLC 17-1037440
Client is in her 60s and receives primarily Social Security income. Client sought to make energy efficient improvements to her home and discovered the PACE program, so that the work could be financed through her property taxes. However, once she began working with the contractor and the coordinator, things did not go as planned. The work at Client's home was never completed, but she has already begun paying an increased amount in her property taxes. Client would like assistance resolving the dispute with the contractor and the company administering the PACE program.
IMMIGRATIONImmigration
 
One Parent Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) , PLC, 17E-1038905
Client is a teenager bilingual English and Spanish Speaker. Client is currently residing with her mother who loves, cares for, and supports her. Client seeks assistance petitioning the court for her mother to be given full legal and physical custody over her so that she can make educational and medical decisions on her behalf. At the same time client would like to request that the Court make the relevant Special Immigrant Juvenile Findings, and then petitioning the immigration for SIJ status. It is not in the client's best interest to be returned to her home country as she has no one to care for her there.

One Parent Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), PLC 17E-1038516
Client is a teenager who currently residing with his mother who loves, cares, and supports him. His father is not in the picture. Client seeks assistance petitioning the court for him mother to be given full legal and physical custody over him so that she can make educational and medical decisions on his behalf. At the same time would like to request that the Court make the relevant Special Immigrant Juvenile Findings. It is not in the client's best interest to be returned to his home country as he has no one to care for him there.
 
U-Visa, PLC 17E-1038432
Client is in her mid-40s and is employed. Her highest level of education is secondary school. She has no health issues or disabilities; she is going to therapy and domestic violence classes. She is seeking assistance in filing a u-visa petition for herself as a result of the domestic violence. She has no criminal record and she has no derivatives.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker*
 
U-Visa, PLC 17-1038265, 17-1038266, and 17-1038267
Client is in her late 30s and is currently on disability due to pregnancy. Her monthly income consists of food stamps and child support, and her highest level of education is high school. She does not have any illnesses. She has two undocumented children and three USC children. Client is seeking assistance with filing a U-Visa petition for herself and her two undocumented children because she was the victim of a crime. A request for a U-Visa certification is pending with law enforcement.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker*
 
U-Visa Adjustment of Status, PLC 17E-1038277
Client is in her late 30s. She is unable to work due to an injury and therefore has no income. Client qualified for a U-Visa, which expires in late 2018. Her highest level of education is secondary school, and her one minor criminal issue was disclosed on her U-Visa application and has been dismissed. Client has no derivatives. Client would like assistance submitting her U-Visa adjustment of status application.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker*
LANDLORD / TENANT

No cases at this time.
LITIGATION 
 
Unfair Sales Practices, PLC 17E-1038558
Clients are a mother and daughter who purchased a car in 2016. The negotiations took place in Spanish, but the only contract they received was in English. After less than a year, the car began having issues. Clients took the car to a second dealership, where they were given a report that disclosed the car as having twice as many miles as had been reported at the time of purchase. Two dealerships declined to service the car because of this issue. Clients can no longer drive the car. They seek assistance rescinding the contract, obtaining a refund of all payments made on the car and enforcing any other remedies they may have.

Debt Collection Defense - Motion to Vacate, PLC 17E-1038016
Client was sued on a medical debt that she believes should have been covered by insurance. Client is a single mother and does not have reliable transportation. Once the lawsuit was filed, Client was unsure how to respond, since she believed insurance had paid the costs. A default judgment was entered against her less than six months ago. Client would like assistance vacating the judgment and defending the lawsuit.
 
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037416 
Client is in her 70s and has been sued by a creditor. Based on the documents the plaintiff has provided in this case, Client does not believe she owes the collector any money. Client has filed a response to the complaint and has responded to discovery in pro per. Client seeks assistance further defending herself in this matter.
NAME CHANGE

No cases at this time.
NONPROFIT
  
Nonprofit (Substance Abuse) - Start-up, PLC 17-1039028
Client is a start-up nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure high quality options are available for individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse. Client seeks legal assistance with forming a California nonprofit corporation and obtaining federal and state tax-exempt status.
 
Nonprofit (Arts Education) - Trademark, PLC 17-1039080
Client is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide choreography and dance instruction to underprivileged children. The organization has recently relocated to Orange County from out of state, and is developing a strong local and social media presence. Client is concerned about misuse of its logo, and seeks legal assistance with protecting its logo and slogan.
RESTRAINING ORDERRestrainingOrder
 
Appeal of Denial of Restraining Order, PLC 17E-1038012
Client is seeking assistance with appealing the denial of her petition for a domestic violence restraining order. Client sought to modify a custody order through a restraining order petition in order to protect her family from further domestic abuse. The domestic violence was documented and witnesses from a domestic violence shelter provided written testimony to the court. The notice of appeal may need to be filed in pro per, but a volunteer could substitute in immediately.
Email Project Coordinator Rosa Hernandez
SMALL BUSINESS 
 
No cases at this time.
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
 
No cases at this time.
VETERANS

Predatory Training School, PLC 17E-1038290
Clients are a married couple and are both veterans. After they were discharged from the military, they sought to enter truck driving school to "retire" together and drive around the country. Clients entered into an agreement where they agreed to repay the cost of the training by agreeing to drive for the company for a certain number of months. For various reasons, Clients were unable to complete the commitment and now have collection agencies trying to collect from them. Clients seek assistance fighting the alleged debt as they believe the training was inadequate.
 
Discharge Upgrade, PLC 17-1038218
Client is a 44 year old veteran with an "Other than Honorable" discharge.  Client was discharged for drug use, but client never failed a drug test and records do not indicate any failed drug test.  Client has continuously been employed, has two children in a domestic partnership, and participates in volunteer activities.  Client would like assistance applying for a discharge upgrade.
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WILLS & ESTATESWillsEstates

Probate Dispute, PLC 17-103TBD
Client is in her early 90s and is involved in a probate dispute regarding her late-husband's holographic writings. Throughout their marriage, her late husband handled all of their affairs. She was unaware that she was not listed as a joint tenant on the title held for their residence.  She believes a family member deceived her late husband (he did not speak English and did not understand American trust and estate laws) by managing her husband's finances and misrepresenting the consequences of certain decisions.
*Client primarily speaks Farsi*

Amendment to Revocable Living Trust, PLC 17-1038545
Clients are a married couple in their 80s. They have served as foster parents to approximately 100 children over the last 20 years. They seek assistance with amending their Revocable Living Trust which was established many years ago. While their beneficiaries will remain the same, they seek to adjust the amount that each beneficiary will receive. There are no issues with either client's capacity.
 
Revocable Living Trust, Estate Planning, PLC 17E-1038382
Client is single and has no children. Client seeks assistance established a Revocable Living Trust. His major asset is real property that he owns. Client would like to name as one of his beneficiaries a well-known Orange County charitable organization.

Estate Planning Documents, PLC 17-1037336

Clients are a married couple in their late 50s. They have very little income, and rely on family members to help them pay their bills. Clients have been together many years, but only married in the last decade. Prior to marriage, Husband purchased a home and Wife is not on title. Clients would like to ensure that if something happens to Husband, the house will pass to Wife, and would therefore like assistance preparing estate planning documents to ensure an easier transfer of the property.

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