* Cases
* Projects
* Presentations

The list below provides some (not all) of the cases for which pro bono attorneys are needed. Assuming cases on a pro bono basis also provides attorneys with valuable litigation experience. Legal aid programsactively recruit, train, mentor, and co-counsel with volunteer (pro bono) attorneys to help them handle the many complex and changing legal issues unique to the practice of civil poverty law.

[To volunteer pro bono service for any of the cases, simply telephone the "Contact" person. Click on office listed at the top of each case/project to view the local PAI ("Private Attorney Involvement") coordinator's name/contact information.]

_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
EDGECOMBE COUNTY. Living Trust Revocation.
(PBO# WILS-016-2009)
DESCRIPTION: A 73-year-old widow executed a will and power of attorney on 8/21/09. In 2006 her children downloaded some documents purported to be the client's will, poa and a living trust agreement, naming the children as trustees. The power of attorney has been revoked. The other documents were a Living Trust Agreement and a Will. The Living Trust Agreement seems to show terms of disbursement that are different from the terms of the client's current will. The client wishes to revoke the Living Trust. As stated the Living Trust Agreement terms of disbursement contradict the terms of the disbursement intended by client in the Will we prepared. Therefore, client is interested in effecting a proper revocation of the Living Trust and also in discussing what advanced directives she needs to prepare.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Proper revocation of the Living Trust as allowed in Article 9 Section A on page 17 of the Living Trust Agreement and preparation of any advance directives she still needs..
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.
_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
HERTFORD COUNTY. Custody.
(PBO# AHOS-002-2009)
DESCRIPTION: The client's 13-year-old daughter's father and stepmother refused to return the child after a weekend visit. The stepmother recently inherited a great deal of money. She is paying an attorney to file for custody and buying the child lots of expensive presents to "woo" her. The stepmother is allegedly physically and mentally abusive to the girl and will not let her see or speak to the client. Stepmom has told the girl that if she speaks with or tries to see the client, " she is going to pay." Close friends of the family report that the child has been hit and punished severely for associating with her mother. The stepmother and father have taken the child out of her public school and enrolled her in private school. The client has tried on a few occasions to visit during the school day. Each time she has tried, she has been told that the child loves her and wants to see her but is scared. Also, the client is afraid that a boy who lives across the street from her will tell the stepmother if the child is seen with the client. The client doesn't want to make life in the house worse for her daughter so she has stopped trying to go visit her. The client has 2 witnesses who state that both the stepmom and father regularly use cocaine. She has attempted to contact DSS about this problem and the alleged abuse of the minor child, but they have declined to get involved. Stepmom formerly owned a bar and had a reputation for letting her own under-aged children drink there and be out of control. The client is informed that one of the stepmom's older children is gay and has made sexual advances towards the client's child and has had sex with another partner in front of her. The client has been her daughter's primary caregiver since birth. She is married to an AC installer. Neither of them has a criminal record. They are all residents of Hertford County.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Get client custody of her child.
CONTACT: Faye Lewis, LANC Ahoskie Office, 1-800-682-0010.

_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
CAMDEN COUNTY. Custody.
(PBO# AHOS-001-2009)
DESCRIPTION: The client is the mother of two minor children, ages 3 and 4. The children have lived all their lives in NC. Recently the client filed a pro se action for custody. The children's father filed a similar action in Virginia, where he resides, and would only return one child. His action was dismissed by a Virginia Judge on 10/16/09. The judge asked the father to voluntarily return the child to her mother. He refused and said he was going to get an attorney himself.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Get client custody of her 2 minor children.
CONTACT: Faye Lewis, LANC Ahoskie Office. 1-800-682-0010.

_______________
Case Available for Pro Bono
WAKE COUNTY. Consumer Fraud, Unfair Trade/Debt Collection Practice.
(PBO# RALE-004-2009)
DESCRIPTION: The client is a 79-year-old married man. He is also blind. In 2007 his son obtained an auto loan in the client's name from an auto dealership in SC. Then the son defaulted on the payments, and the car was repossessed. The bank is now threatening to put a lien on the house owned by this elderly couple. Even in the loan paperwork the client's name is misspelled several times and is otherwise clearly not his signature.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Get client released from obligations on a loan fraudulently obtained in his name.
CONTACT: Celia Mansaray, LANC Raleigh Office. 919-828-4647.

_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
NASH COUNTY. Mobile Home Title.
(PBO# WILS-003-2009)
DESCRIPTION: In 2007 the client paid $8000 for a 1992 mobile home. She has been trying unsuccessfully to get the title from the seller ever since. The seller is acting as attorney-in-fact for his mother. Most recently the DMV advised that the seller is required, at his expense, to get 2 appraisals on the mobile home and obtain bonding at the rate of $75 per $1000 of its value. It appears that seller is balking at the expense and difficulty of securing the title.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Assist client with obtaining the title to her mobile home.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.

_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
WAKE COUNTY. Rent Rebate /Unfair Debt Collection Practice.
(PBO# RALE-003-2009)
DESCRIPTION: The client is the 39-year-old disabled mother of 3 minor children who live with her. She is separated from her husband. She has been renting a two-bedroom apartment for $495/month since January 2009. Since May she has noticed a major infestation of roaches in the kitchen and bed bugs throughout the apartment. She made a complaint about the roaches to the landlord, and he lowered the rent to $367 for one month. After that the landlord would not return her calls about the bed bug problem. The client set off insecticide "bombs" in every room trying to get rid of roaches. The next week they were back all over the stove, cabinets and refrigerator. By the end of July bed bugs had invested the carpets and furniture. The client had to get rid of mattresses, box springs, and an upholstered chair. All the family had bed bug bites. The client applied for an apartment with another landlord and was accepted. The current landlord learned of this and falsely reported to the prospective landlord that he had evicted the client. The new landlord then refused to rent to the client. On 9/29/09 the landlord actually did sue for eviction. When the magistrate saw photos of the conditions in the client's apartment, she was ordered to pay $400 for September's rent, but was not evicted. She had the money with her. The landlord would not accept it. He recorded an eviction on her credit report. She wants it removed, as she was not evicted, but only ordered to pay $400 rent. It is also interfering with her finding a new place to live.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To recover all damages to which client is entitled from former
landlord.
CONTACT: Celia Mansaray, LANC Raleigh Office. 919-828-4647.
_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
WAKE COUNTY. Illegal Eviction/Unlawful Conversion.
(PBO# RALE-002-2009)
DESCRIPTION: A 28-yearold single mother was only able to make partial payments on her rent in July and August after she lost her job. She is a full-time student and is entitled to special loans for personal emergencies such as this. She applied for such a loan, on which there is normally only a 2-day wait to get the funds. However, the client made her application just before Labor Day weekend, and the person who had to approve the loan was out of town, resulting in a delay. A check for 3 months' rent was issued to the landlord on 9/9/09. He would not accept it and told her to move. Three days later he came to the apartment and ordered her to leave immediately. She found another place to stay and began moving her belongings on 9/11/09 (a Friday). On Monday, the first landlord took everything out of the apartment the client rented from him and threw it in a dumpster or piled it up on the ground. The client got pictures of this and took them to Magistrate's Court to file a claim against her landlord. The magistrate phoned the landlord, who claimed that he never touched her belongings. He subsequently removed her belongings from the dumpster. They smelled of beer and garbage and had maggots on them. The landlord said the client could just "take them and wash them." He also posted signs he made up himself claiming that the Wake County Sheriff's Department had padlocked the property. The client has very few changes of clothes for her or her children--not even a week's worth. This makes it hard for her to keep the clothes clean and ready for her and the kids to wear to school.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To recover all damages to which client is entitled from her former
landlord.
CONTACT: Celia Mansaray, LANC Raleigh Office. 919-828-4647.
_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
WAKE COUNTY. Rent Rebate Claim.
(PBO# RALE-001-2009)
DESCRIPTION: In January 2009 a 24-year-old lady leased an apartment. She has always been current on her rent. In early July her ceiling began to leak. The property manager sent a repairman who cut a hole in the ceiling and then said he couldn't fix the problem. The original leak site is now mildewed, and another leak has appeared in another room. Mildew has ruined some of the clients clothes and other personal property. The landlord offered to move her into a different apartment, but it proved to be in worse shape than her current one. The landlord said it takes time to get repairs done, and the lady just has to wait. He also refuses compensation for her damaged belongings. The client was laid off her full-time job and cannot afford to move anywhere else.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To get client's apartment repaired, get compensation for her damaged property, and get a rent rebate for the time the apartment has been uninhabitable.
CONTACT: Celia Mansaray, LANC Raleigh Office. 919-828-4647.

_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
WAYNE COUNTY. Criminal Record Expungement.
(PBO# WILS-014-2009)
DESCRIPTION: Client is a 22-year-old man who was charged with communicating threats and assault on a female. These charges were dismissed by the DA on 1/26/09. Client also stated that he had a shoplifting charge when he was 16 years old. He said that he went to teen court, and the charges were supposed to be dropped against him. Client is having problems obtaining employment because of his criminal record. He would like to obtain an expunction of his criminal record.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To expunge client's criminal record. ( NCGS § 15A-146(b) states expunction of records when charges are dismissed or the accused is found not guilty: any felony or misdemeanor. It appears that client may have the legal grounds to petition the court for an order to expunge the communicating threats and assault on a female charges.)
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.

_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
WAYNE COUNTY. Criminal Record Expungement
(PBO# WILS-012-2009)
DESCRIPTION: A young lady is having problems obtaining full-time employment because of two criminal charges that were dismissed. In 1999 she was charged with felony possession of cocaine. That charge was dismissed after deferred prosecution, according to a computer printout from the Wayne County Court. The client was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. The computer printout shows that this charge was voluntarily dismissed by the DA. The client states that she has no additional criminal history.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To get the client's criminal record expunged.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.
_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
JOHNSTON COUNTY. Construction Law Violation
(PBO# SMI-002-2009)
DESCRIPTION: A 57-year-old woman is attempting to keep her terminally ill husband at the house they purchased in November 2008 with a USDA loan. It is under a 1-year warranty. The problem is that the house is falling apart around them. The seller is refusing to honor the warranty he provided and make promised repairs. From the outset the septic tank began collapsing and flooding the yard. The floors are wavy. The ceilings are cracking and pulling away from the wall. When one of the light switches is turned on, it pops and sparks. Hospice workers who come to care for the husband sometimes cannot get past the driveway because of the flooding. When the couple did the final walk-through inspection prior to moving in, they were told to prepare and submit a punch list, and that someone would do the repairs. They were reassured that the septic problems would be addressed prior to moving in the house. The client and husband have tried to contact the builder several times, but their calls are not returned. The clients were told by the subcontractors that the builder has filed for bankruptcy.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To compel the seller of the house to make promised repairs while the house is still under warranty.
CONTACT: Harry Langley, LANC Smithfield Office. 1-800-682-1016

_______________
Case Available for Pro Bono
FORSYTH COUNTY. Unfair/Deceptive Trade Practice.
(PBO# WINS-003-2009)
DESCRIPTION: The client signed a 24-month lease contract with an option to purchase a house. She thought the other party to the contract was with the owner of the property, but it turned out to be only the property manager. The client paid a $5,000.00 non-refundable down payment to be applied to the purchase price and closing cost, and the first month's rent prior to moving in. When she tried to obtain financing to purchase the property in February, 2009, she was denied because house is not worth selling price. She verified this with the Forsyth County Revenue office and passed the information on to the property manager. It appears that the property manager had no legal authority to enter into the lease with option to buy with the client. Therefore his actions in accepting the $5,000 down payment appear to be fraudulent. He said at one time that he would make some kind of small monthly payments for a long period of time. The client said she would take two installment payments, but the property manager said he could not do that.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Client wants her $5,000 down payment refunded and whatever damages she may be entitled to as the result of the property manager's deception in the rent-to-own contract.
CONTACT: Jean Witherspoon, LANC Winston-Salem Office.1-800-660-6663.

_______________
Case Available for Pro Bono
SURRY COUNTY. Landlord-Tenant/Illegal Eviction.
(PBO# WINS-002-2009)
DESCRIPTION: In November 2008 the client's landlady changed the locks on the mobile home she rented and allowed someone else to move in that same night. The client was current with her rent at the time. The landlady also had electricity and cable service turned off (they were in the landlady's name) in an attempt to force the client out. The client had to take out a loan for $300.00 to have the utilities installed at her new residence. She has statements showing the electric bill was paid the same day it was turned off. The new tenant did let the client collect all her belongings, but she has not been reimbursed her $600 security deposit, her $120 cable deposit, nor her $200 power deposit.
DESIRED OUTCOME: The client wants to be reimbursed her deposits and the loan she had to take out to get her utilities reinstated in her new home, and any other damages to which she might be entitled.
CONTACT: Jean Witherspoon, LANC Winston-Salem Office.1-800-660-6663.

_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
IREDELL COUNTY. Consumer Rights.
(PBO# WINS-001-2009)
DESCRIPTION: A 59-year-old, disabled lady signed up for television cable service in February 2009. Immediately thereafter, the client left town for a week to visit her daughter. When she returned, there were marker flags all over her yard. A note from the cable company was attached to her door saying that the cable installers had cut her water line. The night the installers said the problems was fixed, all the client's plumbing pipes exploded. Then three weeks later, her toilet began rumbling and popping. Then the pipes in her yard exploded spreading raw sewage everywhere. Then all her plumbing pipes began to explode simultaneously, destroying all the rooms in her mobile home and its contents. The cable company agreed to repair the house and did so, but would not repair the damage to her yard. The entire yard, which is an acre, is sinking and settling because of the explosions. The client is concerned about what will happen to her mobile home. Heavy equipment and large trucks were driven all over her yard, causing large holes in many places. The client has not signed any type of settlement or release with the cable company.
DESIRED OUTCOME: For the cable company to restore the client's yard to its original condition.
CONTACT: Jean Witherspoon, LANC Winston-Salem Office.1-800-660-6663.
_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
LENOIR COUNTY. Non-Profit Incorporation.
(PBO# WILS-011-2009)
DESCRIPTION: A youth outreach organization wants to incorporate as a non-profit organization and seek IRS 501(c)(3) status. The group serves charitable, religious and/or educational organizations by providing trained mentors, organizing educational activities (including voluntary tutorial classes), organizing structural recreational and physical fitness activities, and organizing and sponsoring cultural activities and field trips fir financially disadvantaged youth. The group has a Board of Trustees in place.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Non-profit incorporation and 501(c)(3) status for a community organization.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902
_______________
Case Available for Pro Bono
GUILFORD COUNTY. Foreclosure
(PBO# SMI-001-2009)
DESCRIPTION:
Deadline: Hearing set for 11:00 AM 8/18/09, Office of the Clerk of Court of Guilford County, Guilford County Courthouse, High Point, NC. Someone "acting as an agent" for Whole Life Ministries, Inc. in Zebulon, NC (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) obtained a substantial amount of money in the organization's name. The property is now being foreclosed by High Point Bank and Trust Company, who holds the deed of trust. Whole Life Ministries of Zebulon has been listed as a respondent in the foreclosure. Whole Life Ministries has never authorized anyone to conduct business on their behalf with High Point Bank and Trust Company or with any other entity or individual. Whole Life does not know who may have done this, though they do say that they once received a letter from the N.C. Secretary of State advising someone had tried to add that individual's name to Whole Life Ministries' Articles of Organization.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Make sure Whole Life Ministries of Zebulon is defended and removed as an improper defendant in this action.
CONTACT: Harry Langley, LANC Smithfield Office. 1-800-682-1016
_______________

Case Available for Pro Bono
WAYNE COUNTY. Real Estate/Deed
(PBO# WILS-009-2009)
DESCRIPTION: On 7/3/97 the client and her husband entered into a installment contract with "Jabroni Properties" and "Fred Haney" to purchase approximately ½ acre located in Dudley, NC. The final payment was due and paid on 5/1/08. The client's double-wide mobile home is now on the property. The purchase contract states that when the final payment is made, the seller will deliver to the buyers a warranty deed. When the client's husband died 5/29/09, she retained a lawyer to transfer his interest in the property to her daughter and grandson. The lawyer discovered that the property had been sold to "Fred Haney" (a party to the original sale) on 12/23/08. After the final payment was made in May 2008, Mr. Haney never contacted the client and her husband to claim they owed more money. She says they made all their payments, and she has most of the receipts. A search on the NC Secretary of State's website showed a lot of seemingly suspicious corporate formations, dissolutions, suspensions and revocations for entities titled "Jabroni Properties, Inc", "Fred Haney Properties, LLC", and "Jabroni Properties Builders and Developers, Inc." The registered agent for two of those entities is "Fred Haney." [Correct names for the parties involved will be provided by Kin Thompson.]
DESIRED OUTCOME: To get the client clear title to her property.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.
_______________
Case Available for Pro Bono
EDGECOMBE COUNTY. Criminal Record Expungement.
(PBO# WILS-008-2009)
DESCRIPTION: This 22-year-old lady was charged with communicating threats when she was 15-years-old. She was found not guilty. In 2004 when she was 17-years-old, she was charged with simple assault, and was charged with simple affray in March 2005. Both those charges were dismissed. The client needs to have these charges removed from her criminal record so that she can complete her nursing home program in pursuit of becoming a CNA.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Expunge client's criminal record pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-146.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro Bono
FRANKLIN COUNTY. Private Landlord/Tenant Litigation
(PBO # DURH-005-2009)
DESCRIPTION: A 20-year-old disabled man has lost his SSI income and Medicaid benefits as the result of erroneous household income calculations. He has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and ADHD. At times he is nearly non-verbal. He lives with his mentally ill mother and a physically impaired aunt. He has lost his home health care. His medical doctor is trying to provide samples of his medication to keep him stable. No hearing dates were set for these matters as of 6/24/09.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Reinstatement of client's SSI and Medicaid benefits.
CONTACT: Sharon C. Council, LANC-Durham Office. 919-688-6396.

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro Bono
WAYNE COUNTY. Criminal Record Expungement.
(PBO# WILS-007-2009)
DESCRIPTION: In December 2003 the client was charged with 2 counts of carrying a concealed weapon. The Wayne County DA dropped the charges, and the client never went to court about them. Her criminal history shows that the charges were "disposed" on 8/23/04. The client is a case manager in the mental health profession. These charges are an impediment to her efforts to find new employment. The lady's criminal record is available on request.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Expunge client's criminal record.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC-Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro Bono
LENOIR COUNTY. Criminal Record Expungement.
(PBO# WILS-006-2009)
DESCRIPTION: The client, who lives in Wayne County, has trouble finding employment because of her criminal record. She was charged with 7 criminal offenses in Lenoir County, all of which were voluntarily dismissed by the DA. NCGS 15A-146 seems to indicate that all these charges can be expunged since they occurred within a 12-month period, and the client has not been convicted of any felony offense.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Expunge client's criminal record.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC-Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro Bono
WAYNE COUNTY. Employment: Non-Compete Covenant.
(PBO# WILS-005-2009)
DESCRIPTION: The client is a married father. He quit his job with a NC trucking company in August 2008 because he was being instructed to work in violation of NC-DOT standards and could not work these problems out with management. (He has documentation to prove this.) He is currently bound by a do-not-compete covenant in the contract with his former employer which specifies that the client will not work as a truck driver or sales representative in any petroleum transport or delivery business that is in direct competition with the company. The territory is defined as "within 100 miles of where any customer of the company is located or the company conducts any business whatsoever including any territory serviced by company during the term of driver's employment." The covenant not to compete calls for the client to abide by the terms for a period of two years immediately following the termination of such for any reason whatsoever. The client is currently working in Virginia and living separate from his family because the covenant bars him from driving in NC. A copy of the employment agreement containing the covenant not to compete is available for viewing.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To release the client from the covenant not to compete.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC-Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono

WILSON COUNTY. Income Tax.
(PBO# GREV-001-2009)
DESCRIPTION: A 59-year-old lady whose sole income is Social Security disability benefits has been informed that she owes the IRS approximately $2,264.64 for the 2006 tax year. The amount is based on income reported to the IRS, that includes $9,000 in Railroad Retirement benefits. The client says that she did not receive this income in 2006.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Assist client in disputing the income mistakenly attributed to her and negotiating the amount owed.
CONTACT: Ayanda Meachem, LANC-Greenville Office. 1-800-682-4592.

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono

VANCE COUNTY. Private Landlord/Tenant Litigation
PBO # DURH-004-2009)
DESCRIPTION: This family was referred to Legal Aid by the City of Henderson Minimum Housing Code inspectors, due to multiple serious problems with the house they were renting and their landlord's consistent refusal to perform repairs. The house was in such poor shape that the City directed the family to move out, which they did. The City of Henderson is vigorously enforcing code compliance, including applicable civil penalties, and is very willing to help the family in any way possible with their claim against this scofflaw landlord.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Claim rent abatement and other relevant damages.
CONTACT: Sharon C. Council, LANC-Durham Office. (919) 688-6396.

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono

DURHAM COUNTY. SSI Benefits Termination|
(PBO # DURH-003-2009)
DESCRIPTION: A 53-year-old gentleman's SSI benefits, which he has been receiving since 2005, have been suddenly terminated. No one at the SSA can offer any explanation other than that his benefits have ended due to a "mistake." The SSA says the client must repay $7000 in benefits. Various written communications from the SSA refer to letter the client never received and say the SSA has determined that the client is "no longer disabled." A work-related injury the client had 10 years ago has left him completely disabled. His wife works in the fast food industry, and their son is disabled.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Defense of overpayment claim and reinstatement of benefits.
CONTACT: Sharon C. Council, LANC-Durham Office. (919) 688-6396.
_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono

DURHAM COUNTY. Private Landlord/Tenant Litigation
(PBO # DURH-002-2009)|
DESCRIPTION: An elderly disabled couple need assistance filing for a substantial rent rebate from their former landlord. One spouse is 86 years old; the other is a multiple stroke victim who can no longer speak and is often wheelchair bound. They were without a working heating system for FOUR YEARS, depending on a kerosene heater the whole time. They also had a roof that leaked-including leaks into electric fixtures, and severe cockroach infestation. They eventually had to move out. There is excellent photographic evidence of the defects in the house.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Recover damages due to the clients for violation of landlord/tenant law.
CONTACT: Sharon C. Council, LANC-Durham Office. (919) 688-6396.
_______________________________________________
Case Available for Pro bono

DURHAM COUNTY. Private Landlord/Tenant Litigation
(PBO # DURH-001-2009)
DESCRIPTION: This mother, a special education teacher, and her two children lived in a house she rented for $800/month from August 2008-February 2009. There was no heat in the house the entire winter. The air blower unit was found to need a major repair, which the landlord would not perform despite numerous complaints from the client. A Durham City Housing inspector confirmed that the house was grossly under-heated in the winter. The landlord also FALSELY reported to the Durham DA's worthless check pre-filing program that one of the client's rent checks bounced. Under the duress of facing possible criminal charges, the client paid the landlord $800 she did not owe. The landlord sued for eviction in January 2009 and got a judgment for possession only.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Client has claims for violation of NC landlord/tenant laws with possible claims for unfair trade practice and defamation. NCGS 7A-219 preserves her claims as viable despite the earlier Small Claims action.
CONTACT: Sharon C. Council, LANC-Durham Office. (919) 688-6396.

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro Bono
Guilford County. Custody
(PBO # GBRO-004-2009)
DESCRIPTION: Client is the primary caretaker of her late sister's 3 children-ages 17, 15 and 11. Their mother died in early 2009. Only the oldest child has a father listed on the birth certificate, although the other children think the same man is their father, as well. They communicate with him almost daily. The children lived with their maternal grandmother until she died in 2000. They then lived with a relative who 'put them out.' They have lived with the client ever since. There has never been an action for custody of these youngsters. Client is the sole provider for the family, works as a housekeeper, and rents a house. She and her adult daughter (who is a college student) arrange their schedules so that someone is always at home with these three kids. Client would like custody of the children so she will have authority to communicate with their schools on their behalf. Two of the children are in a special academy for honor roll students. All of them are involved in sports. Also, if the client has legal custody of the children, the household can qualify as "a family unit" for the purpose of buying a Habitat for Humanity house.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Assist client with obtaining custody of late sister's children.
CONTACT: Renee Gabriel-Alford, LANC-Greensboro Office. 1-800-951-2257
_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono
WAYNE COUNTY. Wills/Estates.
(PBO# WILS-004-2009)

DESCRIPTION: Client's husband is incompetent due to Alzheimer's after designating her as his attorney-in-fact. She seeks assistance with very simple estate planning matters, including the ownership of their house, the client's will and the guardianship of her husband in the event of her death or incapacity.

DESIRED OUTCOME: Consultation for estate planning, preparation of client's will, possible transfer of husband's interest in real estate to the client.

CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC-Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.
_______________________________________________
Case Available for Pro bono
GUILFORD COUNTY. HIGHLY SYMPATHETIC Adoption.(PBO # GBRO-002-2009)
DESCRIPTION: Client wants to adopt her former foster son, and he wants it, too! This 10-year-old boy, originally from Guatemala, was adopted by a family in Pennsylvania through an international adoption agency. His first adoptive mother tried to drown him. He was then sent to a NC couple who were supposed to specialize in children with attachment disorders. This couple proved to have no professional credentials. The boy was removed from their care and placed in foster care with our client. After 3 months, during which time he had bonded with the client and her family, he was taken back to Pennsylvania and adopted by another woman. That woman died of a stroke on the way home with him. The boy was then placed in a group home and adopted by a couple with whom he lived for two years. He missed the client and her family so badly that the adoptive parents agreed to send him back to our client. He has been in her care since December 2008. Legal Aid of NC has a letter from the adoptive parents stating their consent and the adoption decree from Pennsylvania.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Legal adoption, permanent placement for a little boy who's had enough!
CONTACT: Renee Gabriel-Alford, LANC-Greensboro Office. 1-800-951-2257.
_______________________________________________
Case Available for Pro bono
GUILFORD COUNTY. Name/ID Change for Child (Abuse Victim)
(PBO # GBRO-001-2009)
DESCRIPTION: This client is a former Marine. Due to her ex-husband's extremely abusive behavior, she was allowed a transfer to a base away from him. She then obtained a name change and a change of her Social Security number. Her "ex" does not know where she currently lives with their young son. The ex-husband has committed fraud using their son's Social Security number. To protect their safety and her son's future financial situation, the client is requesting a name change for her son and for a change of his SSN. Many more facts can be provided regarding the level of abuse this man perpetrated on his family.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Name change and new Social Security number for minor son.
CONTACT: Renee Gabriel-Alford, LANC-Greensboro Office. 1-800-951-2257.

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono
GREENE COUNTY. Business Contract
(PBO# WILS-002-2009)
DESCRIPTION: On 6/24/08 the client entered into a contract to have a sunroom added to her house. On 10/21/08 she advised the construction company involved that she needed to cancel the contract. She offered to pay the restocking fee. (Her daughter and grandson had moved in with her, and they had no income.) The company owner said that she could not cancel the contract. On 10/27/08 employees of the construction company left materials in the client's yard. The scheduled date for building was 10/29/08. A local attorney provided the limited service of writing the company a letter saying the client wanted to cancel the contract and have the building materials removed from her property. On 12/2/08 an attorney for the company responded that the sunroom had already been custom-made, and that the client must pay the entire fee. The client has been served with a Complaint filed by the company in Green County on 2/9/09. Client has requested an extension of time to answer.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Defend client against the Complaint filed by contractor in Greene County Superior Court.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC-Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902.
______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono
Greene County. Separation/Equitable Distribution/Spousal Support
(PBO# WILS-001-2009)
DESCRIPTION: Client and her husband have been married 40 years. They bought a house in Greene County in 1972 with an FHA loan. After their daughter died in 2001, they received life insurance benefits and the husband started spending a lot of money. He charged many purchases on credit cards and could not pay the bills. All of the credit card debts were in his name. They refinanced their home in 2001 and consolidated all of their debts. The mortgage payments initially were $400.00; they are now nearly $800.00 a month. The couple filed a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in 2005, on which her husband is still making the payments. All the husband's credit card debts are in the plan, but none of her debts are. The couple separated again in December 2008 due to domestic violence. Client has a Domestic Violence Protective Order that expires on 3/31/09. Client cannot afford to pay the mortgage now, due to decreased income. She is three months behind on the mortgage payments. Her only income is $850.00 in Social Security Disability benefits, and a part-time job in which she grosses $483.75/month. Her total monthly expenses are $1276.50. Client has no assets other than the real property. Client has no charge card debts in her name.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Assist with equitable distribution and spousal support to avoid foreclosure.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, LANC-Wilson Office. 1-800-682-7902

_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
LANC-Morganton Office, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (Caldwell County)
PBO#: MORG-001-2008
DESCRIPTION: Client was widowed in November 2007. She is now in debt for over $40,000 in medical bills from her late husband's illness; $5,000 in joint credit card debt, and $16,200 from a joint automobile deficiency judgment. She is having a difficult time dealing with the overwhelming debt and collection call/letters, especially now that she is also supporting her adult unemployed son and his three children with only $603.00 per month (Veterans Benefits) in income.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Successful filing of a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy action.
CONTACT: Emma Clark (Attorney) or Pam Hemphill (PAI Coordinator),828-437-8280
_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
Wilson County, Consumer Rights
PBO#: WILS-009-2008
DESCRIPTION: The client wished to buy a motor scooter from a dealer in Simms, NC. The dealer would not extend credit to him. On 6/6/08 a sales agreement was struck in which his employer was shown as the buyer. The total sales price for the scooter and the required helmet was $1900. The agreement states that failure to pay within 30 days of the due date will be considered a default and the scooter will be repossessed. The client authorized a payroll deduction of $200 to cover this purchase. On 9/11/08 the salesman came to the client's residence to repossess the scooter. The client asked to be allowed to call his employer for the September payment. The salesman said he would not accept the September payment, and that unless the balance of $900 was paid immediately, the scooter would be sold in 30 days. On 9/15/08 the client's employer drove him to the scooter shop with the $200.00 September payment. The salesman repeated that he would not accept anything except $900.00 to avert the repossession and re-sale in 30 days. It appears that the decision to repossess the scooter may have occurred after the client's employer informed the salesman that he no longer wanted to be the person "on the hook" in this arrangement.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To get the client his scooter or a refund of his payments.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, PAI Coordinator. LANC-Wilson Office, 1-800-682-7902
_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
Lenior County. Birth Certificate
PBO#: WILS-008-2008
DESCRIPTION: This 88-year-old lady was born in 1919 in Kinston and now lives in NJ. She is having problems renewing her NJ driver's license because she has no birth certificate. She will also have problems obtaining a state ID and may not be able to get benefits or services such as food stamps, SSDI, Medicaid, etc. if she is not able to prove her identity. Because her parents were not married at the time of her birth, there may be some discrepancy as to whether her legal name at birth was her mother's maiden name or her father's surname. Legal Aid in NJ has done extensive research into this matter, and their findings are available.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To generate legally acceptable proof of client's date of birth and preserve her NC driver's license.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, PAI Coordinator. LANC-Wilson Office, 1-800-682-7902

_____________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
Edgecombe County. Birth Certificate (Edgecombe County)
PBO#: WILS-007-2008
DESCRIPTION: The client is a 76-year-old lady in Rocky Mount, whose only income is Social Security payments of $637.00 per month. She needs a birth certificate to renew her driver's license, on which her continued self-sufficiency depends. When she tried to renew it this year, she was told that she would need to get proof of her date of birth due to conflicting information in several sources.The lady was born in Saratoga, NC (Wilson County). Her birth was attended by a midwife who incorrectly listed the client's mother's name on the birth certificate and did not put the client's name on it at all. This birth certificate that shows the client's date of birth 6/20/1932, which is the date the Social Security Administration lists as the client's date of birth. A 1940 U.S. Census record shows that she was 8 years old that year. Her family moved to Edgecombe County when the lady was small. Edgecombe County School records that would have recorded her date of birth were destroyed in the 1999 hurricane floods. Her marriage license shows that she was 22 on 12/23/1953. Her last driver's license showed her date of birth as 5/18/1931.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To generate legally acceptable proof of client's date of birth and preserve her NC driver's license.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, PAI Coordinator, LANC-Wilson Office, 1-800-682-7902
_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
Robeson County, Consumer Law
PBO#: PEMB-001-2008
DESCRIPTION: A disabled senior citizen on a fixed income entered into a home repair contract in April 2008. The contractor was to: take up and replace all damaged floors in her house; cut and replace sheetrock; take out and replace kitchen cabinets; take down kitchen bar; install a new dishwasher; install countertops; replace missing molding; paint inside of home; install new front door; install carpet and vinyl rug; install new front window; install back door; take down underpinning; and install insulation under the home. The contract price was $4,685 and client was to purchase the carpet and vinyl. In addition, to paying contractor $3,000 on this contract, client also paid him $1,200 to underpin her mobile home with brick, but does not have a written contract for this. Since this time contractor has brought some bricks to her home and has placed tar paper on the floor and plywood through about one-half of home. The client has been told the work must be redone, as it has been done incorrectly. He also installed the back door and a window incorrectly, leaving large gaps between the door, window, and walls. At this point the lady has made several unsuccessful attempts to contact contractor. Another contractor has given the client an estimate for $5,570 to repair the damage original contractor has done and to complete the repairs (except for the bricks).
DESIRED OUTCOME: Reimbursement of money paid to contractor and payment for any damages he did to her house.
CONTACT: David Richardson, Staff Attorney (Legal Aid of NC-Pembroke Office), 910-521-2831
_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
LANC-Greenville Office, Negotion of Payments to IRS (Carteret County)
PBO#GREV-006-2008
DESCRIPTION: A 63-year-old lady needs assistance in working out a payment arrangement with the IRS. She initially failed to file returns for 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2006, but she has now provided returns to the IRS for all those years. She was laid off from her job in November 2004 and began to receive unemployment benefits. She began self-employment as a web designer/graphic artist lived mostly off her savings. Her current monthly income is from her business andin Social Security benefits. She does not dispute the debt, but needs assistance in negotiating the matter with the IRS.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Manageable monthly payment with the IRS.
CONTACT: Ayanda Meachem, PAI Coordinator. (252) 758-0113 ext. 104
_____________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
LANC-Greenville Office, Negotion of Payments to IRS (Beaufort County)
PBO#GREV-005-2008
DESCRIPTION: Clients are an elderly married couple. They both have severe health problems. The wife is partially paralyzed and has been receiving disability payments for approximately 20 years; the husband has been on a feeding tube for two years. Their monthly payments for out-of-pocket medical expenses and their mortgage leave them almost no money for food. The IRS is levying her disability pension and his social security for payments due for the years 1997-2003. The clients don't dispute the debt, but would like to lower the monthly payments to the IRS. They are also worried about this debt passing on to their heirs and would like information on that subject. The clients are very nice and extremely cooperative.
DESIRED OUTCOME:Lower monthly payment with the IRS; advice about outstanding IRS debt for their heirs.
CONTACT: Ayanda Meachem, PAI Coordinator. (252) 758-0113 ext. 104

______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
Durham County, Estate/Real Estate.
PBO#DURH-005-2008
DESCRIPTION: A 74-year-old widow has been paying property taxes on a 15-acre parcel of land in Roxboro since 1961. She thinks she inherited the lot by intestacy from her husband, who died in the 1960's. She thinks her husband and his now deceased brother inherited the property by intestacy from their mother. The brothers had 11 children between them. It appears that the land has most likely passed by intestacy multiple times in 87 years. Client would like to leave her interest in the land to both brothers' offspring.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Establish, record and protect client's interest in the property in question.
CONTACT: Sharon C. Council, PAI Coordinator, LANC-Durham Office, 1-800-331-7594
______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
Durham County. Landlord's Unlawful Property Conversion. (Durham County)PBO#DURH-004-2008
DESCRIPTION: Client is the mother of three minor children. Her former landlord obtained a judgment evicting her from his property. Before the 10-day period lapsed in which the client had the legal right to remove her belongings, the landlord and his associates removed all her property from inside the house and took her car. The car was sold for scrap. The disposition of the rest of the client's property is not known. The client has great difficulty keeping her job and caring for her children without her car. Legal Aid of NC attorney Roger Cook would like to collaborate on this case, as he is handling a similar one and can share valuable information about landlord/tenant law and access to Legal Aid "go by" pleadings.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Client's compensation for her property, in excess of $10,000.
CONTACT: Sharon C. Council, PAI Coordinator, LANC-Durham Office, 1-800-331-7594

______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
Rowan County. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
PBO#GREE-002-2008
DESCRIPTION:Client is a 42-year-old single gentleman. In 1996, he was disabled as the result of a work-related accident when he was caught in the extrusion machine at a rope factory. A plate was surgically placed in his neck. His medical bills were paid, he received a settlement of $18,000, and he signed a release. While he was waiting to collect disability benefits, he ran up large credit card bills. His health has deteriorated, with blown disks and polyps in his back. He would like to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to protect his manufactured home and land against possible future judgments.
DESIRED OUTCOME:To file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.
CONTACT:Renee Gabriel-Alford, PAI Coordinator. LANC-Greensboro Office, 336-272-0148.
______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
LANC-Greenville Office, IRS/Earned Income Tax Credit. (Beaufort County)
PBO#GREV-003-2008
DESCRIPTION: Client owes the IRS approximately $12,000 for the 2002 through 2007 tax years because he was denied the Earned Income Tax Credit for those years. He and his wife resided together with the minor children for all of the tax years in question. According to the client, he was living with his wife and their two children in New York in 2002 and 2003 and filed as married filing separately for those two years. He says that although their living situation did not change, they changed their filing status to married filing jointly for tax years 2004-2007. The client has provided the IRS documentation regarding the minor children two times. The IRS says that the documents he has already sent to them are insufficient to claim the tax credit. The client needs assistance in negotiating this matter with the IRS.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Prove to the IRS that client is entitled to the EITC for 2002-2007.
CONTACT:Ayanda Meachem, PAI Coordinator. (252) 758-0113 ext. 104.
_____________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
LANC-Greenville Office, IRS/Earned Income Tax Credit. (Craven County)
PBO#GREV-002-2008
DESCRIPTION:The father of three young children (ages 5, 3 and a newborn) needs to provide proof to the IRS that his children lived with him. In 2005, he received the EITC for the five year old and the three year old. The problem arose when the new baby arrived and was claimed on his 2006 tax return. Client was told by the tax preparer that he could only claim the youngest two children on the 2006 tax return, although the five-year-old continued to live with him. Now the IRS is withholding his EITC payment until he can prove that the children lived with him. Client is very cooperative and says he will have no trouble collecting documents to prove the children have lived with him.
DESIRED OUTCOME:Assist client with collecting his 2005 EITC payment.
CONTACT:Ayanda Meachem, PAI Coordinator. (252) 758-0113 ext. 104.
______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
LANC-Greenville Office, IRS/Late Filing. (Greene County)
PBO# GREV-001-2008
DESCRIPTION:Client failed to file tax returns for 2001 through 2006. Returns for each year have been completed now. She needs assistance working out an installment agreement with the IRS for the amounts that she owes for 2004, 2005, and 2006. She is very nice and extremely cooperative. No travel should be necessary, as typically cases of this sort are resolved via phone calls and faxed messages with the IRS.
DESIRED OUTCOME:Assist client in negotiating a payment plan with the IRS.
CONTACT:Ayanda Meachem, PAI Coordinator. (252) 758-0113 ext. 104.
______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
LANC-Durham Office,Termination of Parental Rights/Adoption. (Durham County)
PBO#DURH-003-2008
DESCRIPTION:Client is a referral from Duke Pediatric Care Center. She is in the process of adopting a 2 month old baby boy who has been in her physical custody since birth. The baby's biological mother is a willing participant in the adoption, because she conceived the baby as the result of a gang rape. She has signed a consent for adoption form already. The client is working through a private adoption agency in Charlotte, through which she has already adopted a child. She would like assistance with obtaining the termination of the unknown biological father's parental rights so that she can complete this adoption application, which she feels she can do alone, as she did before.
DESIRED OUTCOME:Terminate the parental rights of unknown sexual assailant.
CONTACT:Sharon C. Council, PAI Coordinator, 1-800-331-7594
______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
New Hanover County. Handicapped Access.(New Hanover County)
PBO#WILM-001-2008
DESCRIPTION:A 39-year-old widowed, disabled mother was refused service at two businesses-a restaurant and a riverboat--in Wilmington because both facilities refused to admit her service dog. The client was actually visiting Wilmington from Colorado, where she still resides, but she can arrange for travel to NC as necessary to assist with her case. The client has pulmonary complications, severe arthritis, impaired hearing, limited vision and bi-polar disorder.
DESIRED OUTCOME:Investigate client's claim of illegal discrimination and pursue it as indicated.
CONTACT:Lisa Sorenson, PAI Coordinator, LANC-Wilmington Office, 1-800-672-9304
______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono
LANC-Wilson Office,Unfair/Deceptive Trade Practice. (Nash County)
PBO# WILS-006-2008
DESCRIPTION:A 20-year-old single mother, whose only income is $623/month in disability benefits, purchased a car jointly with a friend from a Rocky Mount dealership. They made a down payment of $1,800. The total cost of the car was supposed to be $6500. The purchase agreement given to the client did not specify a purchase amount, amount financed, or down payment amount, and it was blank in the boxes for Truth in Lending Disclosures. The payment book the ladies later received showed that they had purchased the car for $11,000.00, with a $4,800.00 down payment, and that they were making payments on a net balance of $6,200. The dealer has produced another copy of the purchase agreement, with the Truth in Lending Disclosures and price, interest, and down payment amount now included-and showing 45 monthly payments due in the amount of $275, for a total financed amount twice as high as the purchasers were told they would pay.
DESIRED OUTCOME:To investigate this matter for evidence of unfair and deceptive trade practices and obtain any remedy to which the client is entitled.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, PAI Coordinator, 1-800-682-7902

______________________________________________
Case Available for Pro bono
LANC-Greensboro Office, Landlord's Conversion of Property. (Randolph County)
PBO#GREE-001-2008
DESCRIPTION: A young family--husband, wife and 3 children--while in the process of moving from one residence to another, stayed one night at the new residence. The following day when they went to collect the rest of their belongings from their previous apartment, they found the house empty and all of their belongings missing. Some of their property was outside where it had been damaged by the rain or by being thrown on the ground. A witness saw one of the clients' two former landlords remove the items, and also saw people stopping on the side of the road to go through them. One of the landlords admits to entering the home and removing the property.
DESIRED OUTCOME:Compensation to client in an amount between $3800 - $7500 for loss of his belongings.
CONTACT:Renee Gabriel-Alford, PAI Coordinator, 336-272-0148, ext. 319
_____________________________________________
Case Available for Pro bono
LANC-Wilson Office, DMV/Family Law. (Wilson County)
PBO# WILS-005-2008
DESCRIPTION: A 93 year old lady in Wilson needs a birth certificate to renew her NC driver's license. (Staff at the Legal Aid of NC office in Wilson vow that this lady could pass for 60 anywhere on Earth!) The client passed her most recent license renewal test. However, due to new DMV requirements, she must produce a birth certificate by the end of July. Her problem is that it doesn't appear that a birth certificate was ever filed for her. Further, her dates of birth shown on several public documents do not match up. The birth date on her current license is March 15, 1924. The Social Security Administration has a birth date of August 5, 1914, which is the same date she gave the Legal Aid staff. An application for Social Security Account Number, completed on September 22, 1949, lists her birth date as August 27, 1921. She has school records with birth dates of August 18, 1920 and September 16, 1920. The family Bible containing family birth records was destroyed in a fire. This lady's only income is $662.00 per month in Social Security benefits, so she clearly cannot afford to pay for legal help.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Generate legally acceptable proof of client's date of birth and preserve her NC driver's license.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, PAI Coordinator, 1-800-682-7902

______________________________________________
Case Available for Pro bono
LANC-Wilson Office, Contract/Insurance (Wayne County)
PBO#WILS-004-2008
DESCRIPTION:The client's mother died in November 2007. The company from whom she purchased life insurance is refusing to pay the proceeds, alleging that thedecedent made a material misrepresentation on the insurance application involving "a stroke and left side paralysis." The client's mother was temporarily paralyzed in 1996 after being assaulted, but she regained her ability to walk after surgery. She was not diagnosed as having a stroke. It does not appear that the client's mother intentionally made any material misrepresentation, if in fact she did at all.
DESIRED OUTCOME:To dispute the insurance company's decision to deny payment of the $10K provided by her deceased mother's life insurance policy.
CONTACT:Kin Thompson, PAI Coordinator, 1-800-682-7902
___________________________________________
Case Available for Pro bono
LANC-Fayetteville Office, Elder Abuse/Real Estate. (Cumberland County)
PBO# FAYE-001-2008
DESCRIPTION:Client (an 83-year-old) divorcee permitted her daughter (who is now in her fifties) to move into her home some years ago along with the daughter's then minor daughter. The client at the time was the sole owner of the property. Eventually, under pressure from her daughter, that may have included the abuse described below, the client put the house in a living trust with herself as trustee and her daughter as sole beneficiary. In 2000, after the daughter promised to assist with the mortgage and other bills, the client added her daughter's name to the deed. In 2007 the daughter was evicted from the property pursuant to a court order after repeatedly threatening the client and assaulting her, sometimes with dangerous weapons. The violence escalated when the client's 90-year-old sister moved into the house. The daughter did not assist with the bills as promised, even letting the electricity get turned off in the winter of 2007 in retaliation for her eviction. After the first eviction the daughter, aided by her daughter, reentered the client's house in violation of the Domestic Violence Protection Order. Legal Aid helped the client get a restraining order that is now in place until December 2008.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To remove client's daughter's name from the deed to client's house so that the daughter cannot legally resume residence there.
CONTACT: Tina Dicke, PAI Coordinator. 1-800-824-5340
______________________________________________
Case Available for Pro bono
LANC-Wilson Office,Criminal Record Expungement. (Wilson County)
PBO# WILS-003-2008
DESCRIPTION: Client is the 40-year old mother of two children. In March 1999, her children's father was visiting from California. While he was at the client's house, he was arrested for possession of marijuana. The client was also charged with possession with intent to sell/distribute marijuana only because the arrest occurred at her residence. The charge against her was dismissed. She has been employed since 1999, and this offense has never showed up on any criminal record check. However, she is now a student in a nursing program. When her school recently did a background check, the offense showed up as a felony that was voluntarily dismissed. Client needs to get the record expunged because she is afraid that she will be dropped from the nursing program and denied suitable employment in the future.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To expunge the client's criminal recordpursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-146.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, PAI Coordinator, 1-800-682-7902
______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono
LANC-Raleigh Office, Landlord/Tenant Matter. (Wake County)
PBO# RALE-007-2008
DESCRIPTION: A 42-year-old blind single-again mother with 2 teenagers rented a townhouse from a Raleigh couple in November 2007. It is one of 7 properties the couple owns in Wake County. The landlords promised to make many repairs that were not made. Some of the damaged areas pose a threat to the client because of her blindness. An interior door has already fallen, injuring a child. The landlords say everything that can be done for the property has been done, and if the client doesn't like the condition of the place, she can leave. The client is current on her rent and has paid to have some cleaning and repairs done--work that was supposed to have been done before she moved in. She had nowhere else to go with her children when she discovered that the place had not been made habitable.
DESIRED OUTCOME: Make landlord bring the rental unit up to code, and get client restitution of money she spent for repairs and cleaning--and a rebate if that seems in order.
CONTACT: Celia Mansaray, 919-863-1446
_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono
LANC-Raleigh Office, Social Security Benefits Matter. (Wake County)
PBO# RALE-006-2008
DESCRIPTION: The client is a 48-year-old single disabled woman with Stage 4 breast cancer who is not expected to live much longer. Her income consists only of her monthly SSI payments if $434. She lives with her mother whose only income is $830/month in Social Security Retirement benefits. The Social Security Administration is decreasing the client's monthly SSI check by 1/3 because they allege that she is getting in-kind support. The client and her mother live in a dilapidated manufactured house owned by the client's brother. They pay about $100 in lot rent per month. The client pays some of the expenses and gives her mother money for food and other items. The client must show that she is either paying rent or that she is contributing her "fair share" toward the cost of maintaining the household, in accordance with the SSA formula and procedures in 20 CFR 416.1131 et seq.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To have client's SSI check restored to its full amount--of less than $700/mo.
CONTACT: Celia Mansaray, 919-863-1446
_______________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
LANC-Wilson Office,Consumer (Wilson County)
PBO# WILS-002-2008
DESCRIPTION: This client is the improverished mother of 3 young children. In June 2007, the clothes dryer in her apartment caught fire. A Kentucky law firm has written the client saying she owes the landord's insurance company $8,261.48 in damages. The client has written a responsive letter denying culpabity for the fire.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To establish that the client is not responsible for a fire in her apartment, and not legally liable for $8,261.48 in damages resulting from it.
CONTACT: Kin Thompson, PAI Coordinator, 1-800-682-7902
________________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
LANC-Raleigh Office, Consumer Matter (Wake County)
PBO# RALE-005-2008
DESCRIPTION: Client is the 40-year-old divorced, disabled mother of two special needs teenagers. She recently learned that the car she bought/financed in September 2007 had been in an accident that required the frame to be repaired. She was told that if she were to get into an accident in the car, basically it would crumble. DMV records show that the car was involved in an impact with another car on 7/24/04. The dealership that sold the client this car did not disclose this information.
DESIRED OUTCOME: To get the client released from the sales contact on grounds of unfair/deceptive trade acts and practices.
CONTACT: Celia Mansaray, PAI Coordinator,919-828-4647
_________________________________________________

Case Available for Pro bono:
<a target="_blank" href="https://