By Samantha Howell | Three Rivers Legal Services
“The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burdens, easing each other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays.”
— W.C. Jones
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
I love this time of year, not only because there are so many holidays, or because the leaves turn and leave a crisp smell in the air, but because the holidays remind me of the truly important things in life: health, family, giving and gratefulness.
These themes transcend any singular holiday and can serve to unite us despite our differences.
While many of us will be enjoying vacations over the next month, I hope we also will remember how hard the holidays can be for others.
Perhaps a family member passed away, or someone lost their job or home, or the paycheck just isn’t stretching as far as it used to. As W.C. Jones noted though, helping others is the magic of the holidays.
So, as this is my last newsletter of the year, I implore you to consider signing up for a pro bono opportunity with Three Rivers Legal Services, so you can share the magic with others. Available opportunities include:
The Telephonic Housing Clinic is an advice-only clinic offered every Tuesday from 5-6:30 p.m. Appointments are scheduled for 45 minutes.
TRLS staff screen and schedule clients, notifying volunteers of their assignments on the Friday or Monday before the clinic.
Volunteers complete an online form so that TRLS knows what advice was given and whether any follow-up by TRLS is needed. This is the easiest way for you to assist your community.
You can also take on a client matter for limited scope or full representation in a variety of areas including: bankruptcy, special education, family, housing/property, consumer, income maintenance and trusts and estates.
We are in particular need of attorneys to assist with probate cases, guardianship and guardian advocacy and landlord/tenant. Some of the Duval County cases available:
• A client has a revocable trust that was completed about six years ago and wants advice as to whether it still meets her needs. Work can be done remotely.
• A client has guardianship over her grandchild but needs to transfer it to a family friend. We are seeking an attorney to assist with guardianship transfer.
• A client needs to probate their mother’s home and land. The home is not habitable. There is one other known heir and the decedent died in 2022.
• A client would like to add her daughter’s name to her deed. This work can be done remotely.
• A client is seeking temporary relative custody of their minor sister.
Finally, I remind you that attorneys are encouraged to provide at least 20 hours of pro bono service each year.
Volunteering with TRLS is a great way to take care of this duty while meeting colleagues, learning about the community and trying out a new area of law.
If you have questions or would like to participate in any of our cases, contact me at [email protected] or
352-415-2315. You can select an available case and learn more about TRLS’s Pro Bono Legal Assistance Program at trls.org/volunteer/
