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New initiative will bring legal assistance closer to rural communities through local outposts, traveling attorneys, technology, and community partnerships  HOUSTON, Texas — Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) will lead a major effort to expand access to civil legal services in rural Texas as part of the newly launched Rural Justice Initiative, a historic, multi-year investment designed to change how rural […]

Our client never expected to owe the IRS tens of thousands of dollars.  After Rita’s identity was stolen, someone attempted to file a tax return in the client’s name claiming a $33,000 refund. The IRS rejected the fraudulent return but subsequently held the client responsible for the amount, along with additional taxes and penalties, resulting in a tax bill of […]

A public housing resident facing eviction after failing several apartment inspections turned to Lone Star Legal Aid for help. The client acknowledged that her apartment had become cluttered during a period when her mental health symptoms worsened, making it difficult for her to keep up with cleaning and organization.  After receiving a 30-day notice to vacate, the client feared losing […]

A Message From the Chair of the Poverty Law Section This year, I had the tremendous honor, as Chair of the State Bar of Texas Poverty Law Section, of presenting the 2026 Impact Award to my Lone Star Legal Aid colleague Gloretta “Glo” Thornton. The Impact Award recognizes a Texas attorney or poverty law professional whose work has significantly impacted […]

For a 50-year-old Delta County resident, the 15 acres where he lived with his wife and young son were more than a piece of property. They were the home his mother intended for him to have.  His mother passed away in 2015, leaving a will stating that the property would go to her son if owning it would not affect […]

When Lone Star Legal Aid launched its Artificial Intelligence Initiative, the goal was ambitious: explore how AI could help legal aid attorneys work more efficiently, improve internal operations, and make reliable legal information easier for the public to find. Throughout spring and summer 2026, that vision moved closer to reality. LSLA continued advancing three distinct AI tools—Juris, LSLAsks, and NAVI—while […]

Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.

When Mira decided to seek a protective order against her husband, she didn’t have anyone to turn to. After he had harmed her on more than one occasion, she went to court and requested protection for herself and her young child, and the court granted the order. Mira went into her hearing without an attorney, and she was unsure what […]

Mary never imagined that the person she married would one day threaten her life. After surviving a violent attack in which her husband stabbed her, the 32-year-old mother knew she needed to safely end her marriage and protect her child. With her husband incarcerated at the time, Mary attempted to file for divorce on her own, hoping to begin rebuilding […]

When you’re facing a legal problem, it can be difficult to know where to turn.  Maybe you’re worried about losing your home. Maybe you’re struggling to get the benefits you depend on. Maybe you’re experiencing domestic violence and need help protecting yourself and your family. Or maybe you simply don’t know what your rights are or what steps to take […]

Robert, an older veteran with a disability, had been living in a low-income housing community for veterans. His Social Security benefits were his sole income, and he relied on Medicare and Medicaid for healthcare. Robert continued to navigate limited resources after years of military service. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military Veterans Unit reviewed Robert’s disabilities and military record and assisted […]

When C.B. arrived at Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, Place 2, he was facing eviction from the home he shared with his wife and their two children, including a two-month-old baby. The family had fallen behind on rent after C.B.’s wife was placed on medical leave. Almost overnight, a household accustomed to relying on two incomes was […]

Many renters have heard that if they move out before their eviction hearing or sign a move-out agreement with their landlord, there will not be an eviction on their record. Unfortunately, that’s not quite true. While reaching an agreement to move out can sometimes help avoid additional legal proceedings, it does not erase the eviction filing from your record. The […]

Lone Star Legal Aid is urging community members to stay alert as scammers continue targeting people seeking legal assistance by impersonating nonprofit legal aid organization  In several states, individuals posing as legal aid representatives have been contacting members of the public by phone calls and text messages. The scammers falsely claim to represent the organization and demand payment for legal services.  Legal Aid Is […]

When Michelle called us in late 2024, she was afraid of losing her house. A veteran, she’d served almost 5 years in the military where she received medals, ribbons, and other decorations. After her honorable discharge, she married, had a child, and bought a house. At age 41, she lost her job while going through a divorce and she fell […]

Ms. Jane had lived in the same Texas community her whole life. As an older woman managing serious, disabling health conditions on a fixed income, she had weathered a great deal. What she didn’t expect so late in life was to live in fear for her safety inside her own home. Her marriage lasted little more than a year. Over […]

For La Keycha Buckner, a Harris County mother, buying a car was supposed to make life easier. She needed reliable transportation to get to work, take her daughter to school, and handle the everyday responsibilities of caring for her family. But just a day or two after buying a used vehicle, she realized something was wrong with it. The car […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HOUSTON, TX — Murder, mystery, and mayhem are on the menu this August as Night Court presents Dial L for Lawyer, its latest original musical comedy benefiting Houston-area legal charities, including Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military & Veterans Unit. Notorious Houston lawyer and socialite Paul Broodman is hosting the gala of the season at his River Oaks […]

Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026. All offices will reopen on Monday, July 6, 2026. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.

Paul arrived at our Nacogdoches office a few months ago with a letter from Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC. He found the letter taped to the door of his house. “YOU HAVE BEEN SUED,” the letter read, in all capital letters. Paul is a 70-year-old veteran. He lives on a small disability check. It’s less than $1,000 a month. By the […]