Legal aid programs provide critical assistance for people who have no where else to turn for help with legal issues affecting their most basic needs. The following case stories illustrate how the legal aid organizations supported by the Campaign for Legal Services have made a difference in the lives of New Hampshire’s poor and elderly residents.
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A young mother who had been living with her boyfriend for three years left their home after an abusive incident in which he picked her up by her neck, threw her against the wall and then pushed her thumb back until it broke. When the boyfriend continued to contact the mother and follow her daughter to school, she contacted New Hampshire Legal Assistance for help. One of the program’s attorneys was able to obtain a protective order from the court to prevent the boyfriend from having any further contact with her or her daughter.
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A mother of two was told that she would be sent to jail if she did not vacate her rented home within 30 days. Her landlord had lost the home to foreclosure and the new owner wanted her out. The mother contacted the Legal Advice and Referral Center and was provided with legal advice about the eviction process. Thanks to the advice received, she was able to successfully negotiate with the new owner to remain in the home until her new apartment was ready.
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A married couple, who were both disabled and without health insurance, were at risk of losing their mobile home. After the husband suffered a heart attack, they began using credit cards to pay for his medical care and were unable to keep up with the payments. The New Hampshire Pro Bono Referral Program linked the couple to a volunteer attorney who helped them file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge the medical debt and save their home.
Help ensure that New Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents continue to receive legal help to meet their basic needs, by Donating Online Now and call (603)224-6942 to become a Pro Bono volunteer.