For years, Mallory endured abuse during her marriage to Nelson, whom she wed in 2007. Behind closed doors, Nelson’s harmful behavior escalated into illegal activity that devastated their family. The trauma became unbearable when Mallory discovered that Nelson had sexually abused their 11-year-old grandchild, whose health deteriorated under the weight of the abuse and stress, even triggering seizures.
Determined to protect her family, Mallory turned to Lone Star Legal Aid for help. Managing Attorney Reagan Campbell explained that Texas law allows for divorce on the grounds of cruelty when a spouse’s abusive or harmful behavior makes continued cohabitation unsafe or intolerable. Campbell guided Mallory through the legal process to ensure both her safety and the protection of her grandchild.
In addition to pursuing divorce, Campbell provided Mallory with critical resources, advising her to call the police if Nelson continued to harass her and recommending she apply for food stamps to support her household. Because Mallory and Nelson did not share joint assets such as a home or car, the court awarded Mallory sole ownership of the property already in her name.
Thanks to LSLA’s support, Mallory has secured her freedom from Nelson. Today, she and her family can move forward with hope, focusing on healing and rebuilding their lives in safety.
*Name(s) have been changed to protect the client’s identity.
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org