The Veterans Legal Collaborative is a project of Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville Outpatient Clinic of the Veterans Administration, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership, Three Rivers Legal Services and other organizations that serve our veteran population.
A Navy veteran and mother of two young children came to one of the monthly counsel and advice sessions at the VA clinic seeking assistance with a divorce. Her goal was to establish a framework for time-sharing and child support.
Attorney Mark Green agreed to assist her on a volunteer basis.
He describes the case:
What were the facts of the case?
My client was seeking dissolution of a marriage that lasted 13 years. The parties had been separated three years and neither could afford to hire an attorney.
The husband was living and working in Louisiana. The mother worked for a nonprofit and made just above minimum wage while she supported two young girls with sporadic support from the father.
The mother said there wasn’t a set schedule for time-sharing or a court order for child support.
The husband would drop in occasionally during the holidays to visit the children.
What were you able to accomplish for your client?
After two mediations and negotiations, we were able to settle child support and all of the time sharing issues.
Paula Brice, the mediator, donated several hours of her time.
Why was the outcome important to your client?
The client was greatly relieved and very satisfied with the result.
It meant her daughters would have some consistent and predictable time with their father, a relationship she wanted her children to have.
With her limited financial resources, it also meant the children’s needs would be met and the stress of trying to make ends meet was reduced.
What did you gain from the experience?
Providing pro bono services is very rewarding. It reminds us how lucky we are and how important it is to give back.
What is the name of your firm? In what areas do you practice?
Mark M. Green P.A. I practice in all aspects of marital and family law.
What advice do you have for other attorneys considering volunteer involvement?
Get involved, it is personally very rewarding.
Volunteering legal services can be manageable and meaningful.
Green spent about 20 hours on the case over approximately 16 months.
The result he achieved provides stability to this family and ensures a workable framework for the children to develop a positive relationship with their father.
Sincere appreciation is extended to Green and Brice for their professionalism and their commitment to share their legal expertise with those who can’t afford to pay for representation.
Attorneys interested in similar opportunities in the 4th Judicial Circuit may contact [email protected].