Jamal Takes Control of His Life

Jamal had been abandoned by both of his parents and was sheltered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) at the age of 17. He suffered from a lot of anger and alcohol abuse which prevented many DCF placement attempts. Even though Jamal had been in the system since he was 10 years old, he was still only being sheltered at 17. Finally, DCF wanted to place him in a lock down psychiatric facility because there were no other placements available and his behavior continued to be a problem. LSNF accepted the case and was successful in getting him placed into a voluntary drug and alcohol placement facility that included a strong behavioral component. Jamal agreed to participate favorably in this placement and has been working on his independent living skills while drying out and improving upon his anger management.

Billie Transitions Out

Billie was a 17 year old foster child who had been in foster care for the previous 3 years. After turning 17 she was convicted of a delinquency and sent to a residential commitment program for 6 months. LSNF accepted the case a week before she turned 18. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) planned to terminate its jurisdiction over her on her 18th birthday which would have left her totally stranded and unsupported in terms of essential public benefits she was receiving once she was released from her program. She would have ended up homeless. When LSNF got the case we went to court and demanded that DCF apply for independent living services for her and we convinced the court to retain jurisdiction for another year to make sure that when she got out of the program in three months, she would be eligible for housing assistance and a college scholarship.

Rene's Life a Living Nightmare

At age 14, Rene’s life was a living nightmare. She had been sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend for the last seven years of her life. She was arrested on a petit theft charge and for selling marijuana which her mother allegedly made her sell. While on probation she ran away several times in an effort to escape her home life. When she ran away for the last time she violated her probation and the delinquency court ordered her to a level 6 commitment program. Rene was “sheltered” the day after the disposition order by Department of Children and Families (DCF) because of allegations of abuse and threats from her mother. Furthermore, her mother went to delinquency court and told the court that Rene could be placed with her uncle. The judge ordered it. As it turned out this man was not Rene’s uncle, but was actually the man that ended up impregnating her. When LSNF got the case, a motion to have the delinquency order set aside was filed due to the original court not having knowledge of Rene’s home environment or any abuse investigation. LSNF eventually prevailed in court by convincing the judge that rather than being a threat to society, society harmed Rene by not rescuing her from her horrible situation. The court rescinded the previous judge’s ruling, put Rene on probation and immediately ordered counseling and other therapeutic services for her. Rene is currently placed with a very supportive foster family and is doing well.

Lisa Becomes Independent

Supporting Children in Trouble

Dealing with Mental Illness

Jeannie was a 15 year old girl who had been in Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) commitment programs for years. She could not complete the programs because of her mental illness and was languishing without getting effective mental health treatment. LSNF accepted Jeannie’s case and was able to get the child approved for a placement in a residential mental health facility and to get the Department of Juvenile Justice to release the child from their care into the facility. She is now closer to her family, on the medication she needs and is doing very well. Since this experience, DJJ offices throughout the state have been calling LSNF trying to find out how to get other mentally ill children out of commitment and into more appropriate settings.

Helping Build Families

Mary Gets to Stay with Grandma

Saving Homeowners from Foreclosure

Selma's Story

Selma was nearing retirement and lost her job with the state because she became disabled, dropping her and her husband’s income sharply. They were unable to keep up the house payments on their home and a lot and mobile home they rented out for additional income. They soon faced foreclosure on both properties with no foreseeable options. LSNF filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy to stop both foreclosure actions. The Chapter 13 action was later dismissed after Selma and her husband arranged to sell their home, use the equity to catch up payments on the mobile home and move into the mobile home that had a much lower monthly payment. Later, we were able to negotiate with the City of Tallahassee to waive over $19,000 in fines accumulated from the couple’s inability to maintain their property.

Buying Time

Keeping the Homeless Sheltered

The Robinsons Loose their Home

The Robinsons lost their Tallahassee home through foreclosure because of John’s job loss and Laura’s illness. Although unable to save their home, LSNF successfully objected to the lender’s attempt to claim a 15% default rate on their mortgage, 7% above the amount established by state law. As a result, money was left over after the foreclosure sale and the Robinsons were able to rent an apartment, contributing to John’s efforts to obtain a new job.

Protecting Homebuyers from Scrupulous Sellers

Buyers Beware
A local land broker was in the practice of soliciting low income people to purchase real property. When they entered into contracts for sale and purchase, they did not understand that the seller had attached an addendum to the contracts stating that for the first few months they would be leasing and if they were late on any of the initial payments the “sale” became a lease. Several individuals had been paying on their land for years when the seller decided to evict them after another late payment. With LSNF’s help these people were able to save their homes and ensure their ownership.

Keeping Families Together

In the Nik of Time

Sherri filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy to save her mobile home. When she came to LSNF she did not disclose she had been evicted from her mobile home lot. LSNF was notified at 9:00 a.m. one morning that Sherri and her four children would be removed from their home by the sheriff later that day. LSNF contacted the lender, and convinced them to allow the family to remain on the lot and that LSNF would place the back rent due in a Chapter 13 plan. The lender agreed and the sheriff withdrew the writ of possession twenty minutes before removing Sherri and her four children from their home along with all their belongings.

Protecting Car Buyers from Scrupulous Dealers
 

Anna's New Car
Anna purchased a vehicle, brought the car home, and showed it to all her friends and relatives, only to get a call a month later from the dealer saying the financing did not go through. Anna was instructed to return the car or return to the dealership to sign a new contract at a much higher interest rate and with a larger down payment. With LSNF’s help Anna was able to keep her car (and transportation that is vital for maintaining her employment) with the original terms of the contract. LSNF has helped many clients in similar situations.

Defending Citizens from the IRS

Billy's Identity is Stolen

Billy was disabled, diagnosed with brain tumors and surviving off of Social Security Disability. He came to LSNF when he received a Notice of Deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service for a five year tax period. Although he was not required to file tax returns, someone obtained his social security number and filed self-employment returns claiming a special fuel credit. This unknown person received the multi-thousand dollar credit and the IRS wanted it returned by our client. LSNF filed a petition in the U.S. tax court alleging the identity theft and worked with the appeals division to prove our client was not responsible. This case ended in a stipulation that Billy was not responsible for any deficiencies for any of the tax years. Billy’s fear of the IRS taking away from him what little he owned was soon substituted for gratitude for LSNF and the IRS for being able to resolve this unfortunate situation.

Protecting Domestic Violence Victims with Injunctive Relief

Hope for Sara

Twelve years of relentless physical and emotional abuse at the hands of a violent husband was all Sara and her three children could handle. Sara contacted LSNF to obtain a permanent injunction against him. The husband hired a prominent family law attorney in an attempt to thwart any claims Sara would allege against him and to draw out any legal proceedings. At the hearing for the temporary injunction the associate of the husband’s attorney appeared and sought a continuance. LSNF objected and further argued the need for child support to be ordered. While the judge granted a continuance on the injunction, she also ordered $500 per week in temporary child support – the amount Sara desired. Shortly thereafter LSNF obtained the permanent injunction against Sara’s husband. Sara credits LSNF with obtaining her release from an abusive relationship and the financial support necessary to begin a new life with her children.

Helping  Domestic Violence Victims get a New Start

More than Law School to Worry About
Joan was juggling law school, a young child, and an abusive spouse when she contacted LSNF. She suffered enormous emotional abuse and sporadic physical violence throughout her five year marriage to her husband. Despite experiencing debilitating damage to her self-esteem through years of emotional abuse, she was on the verge of graduating from law school with exceptional grades and ready to start a new life, free from violence. LSNF helped Joan obtain her divorce, replete with primary residential responsibility for her daughter and permission to relocate outside of Tallahassee to start a new job at a big law firm. Her husband was ordered to pay child support and return some prized belongings he attempted sell. Joan is aware she will have to deal with her former husband for many years to come because of their young child, but finally feels free from violence, emotional abuse and control. Her self-esteem has blossomed along with her new career as an attorney.

Ms. Jone's New Lease on Life

Advocating on Behalf of Homeless Children

School District Fixes Error

Ricky, LaShaundra, Jeannette, and John were each children separated from their families living in homes of friends and relatives. After attempts by caretakers to enroll the children in school failed, calls to LSNF registering this concern were made and action taken. LSNF decided to file suit in federal court on behalf of Ricky, LaShaundra, Jeannette, and John who were being denied entrance to school because their caretakers did not have legal custody. Immediately prior to filing the suit, a letter was sent to the school district’s legal counsel, citing the district’s non-compliance with federal and state law in its policies and procedures and demanding the students be allowed entrance. Leon County School District complied and the school board subsequently adopted changes to custody, residency and documentation requirements for homeless children. Ricky, LaShaundra, Jeannette, and John were allowed to attend school and begin a life of normalcy.

Advocating for Special Needs Assistance

Phillip gets Turned Around

Phillip was a 16 year old repeatedly getting in trouble at school. He was having severe behavioral problems and came from a very tragic home environment. Eventually, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) was involved. LSNF accepted Phillip’s case and was immediately able to get him some needed mental health services and a safe, supportive living environment. LSNF was finally able to get him placed into a specialized behavioral school. Ever since LSNF’s intervention Phillip has excelled in that school and in 2005 he was completely transitioned back into public schools where he is in his target grade, playing football and in the ROTC program.

Joshua gets Expelled

Supporting Hurricane Victims

The Smith's get Evicted
Mr. and Mrs. Smith fell into hard times when both of the businesses they worked for went out of business after Hurricane Ivan struck the Florida panhandle. As a result of being out of work, the Smiths made an oral agreement with their landlord to clear debris, rebuild approximately 30 yards of damaged privacy fence, and make other minor repairs to their damaged rental property in exchange for credit against their rent. Unfortunately, when presented with the bill and credit owed, the property manager stepped in denying such an agreement ever existed, demanding payment of full rent, and filing an eviction action on the landlord’s behalf. The Smiths came to LSNF after they were well into their court proceedings. However, with LSNF’s assistance, the Smiths were credited for the work they performed and were able to remain in their home.

Advocating for Single Mothers and Families

Stop that Landlord

Two young single mothers were given notices to vacate their apartment for non-payment of rent after they complained to the landlord about defective wiring, holes in the walls, insect infestation, and defective plumbing, and refused to pay the rent until the repairs were made. Their utility bill jumped over $200.00 after it was discovered the furnace was not working properly. Their written lease had two months to run and they had been looking for another apartment but could not afford to move out on short notice and raise funds for another deposit. LSNF filed an answer and affirmative defense that the rent for the past two months should not be paid because the apartment had health hazards, and the tenants had notified the landlord of the problems. The manager promised to make repairs and started to do so after the answer was filed. However, the landlord decided to continue the eviction proceeding. LSNF represented both tenants in the court proceeding and the Judge ruled the tenants could not be evicted and should be allowed to stay until their lease ended. As long as the landlord finished the repairs, the tenants were ordered to pay their rent, but did not owe the rent for the month they refused to pay.

Advocating for the Sick and Disabled

State of Denial
While Mr. Jones continued receiving denial letters for Social Security Disability claims, his health steadily worsened. Like so many, his condition was dismissed as “severe, but not severe enough” to qualify for disability benefits. In spite of an increasing number of hospitalizations he continued to be denied. Medicaid coverage was also denied because he had not been ruled disabled. At age 47 he had to be moved to a convalescent home in Jackson County. His speech was incoherent. He was severely incontinent and developed symptoms of dementia. He was placed on kidney dialysis after suffering a near fatal kidney failure episode. While on dialysis Mr. Jones had three fingers removed due to his diabetic condition. After Mr. Jones’s wife contacted LSNF, staff immediately sought to appeal Mr. Jones’s disability claim. LSNF’s request for a favorable decision based on Mr. Jones’s record was rejected, but an expedited hearing was approved. Miraculously, a judge ruled in favor of Mr. Jones’s claim prior to the hearing making Mr. Jones’s wife the recipient of his benefits, including a $30,000 retroactive award and nearly $600 per month. Mr. Jones continues on dialysis while awaiting a kidney donor.

Winning Appeals for the Disabled

Phyllis Wins Appeal

Phyllis was a middle-aged, hardworking housewife with an aggressive case of terminal breast cancer. Her husband (a former client who was awarded SSI benefits with the help of LSNF) was also disabled. Because of the breast cancer Phyllis attempted to obtain social security disability benefits, but because her earnings record was insufficient she was unable to qualify for SSDI. She was forced to file a claim for SSI, which provides reduced cash benefits. In short order she was denied because the Social Security Administration did not consider her condition severe enough to meet its claim standards. Phyllis called on LSNF to appeal the initial denial. Her case was sent for Reconsideration where it languished at the offices of the Division of Disability Determinations for months on end. LSNF’s relentless determination finally won Phyllis an award of $603 per month and a lump sum retroactive benefit of over $9,000. Phyllis credits LSNF with helping her get the resources she will need to put the final days of her life in order for her and her husband.

Persisting in the Courts

Ms. Jenkins get her Due