Ms. J sought the help of IEJF grantee Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services and its Domestic Violence Team during her divorce to her abusive husband. During the divorce procedures, Ms. J’s now ex-husband stopped making mortgage payments on their shared house, resulting in the home being foreclosed.

This added immense amounts of stress to Ms. J.  Not only was she going through a divorce, but the home in which she provided daily care of her autistic adult son was being taken away from her.

Legal Aid Society once again stepped in to aid Ms. J through the foreclosure. Her attorney obtained more time during her foreclosure process, ensuring that her divorce was finalized before she would have to leave her home.

And with with divorce finalized, Ms. J had enough money in marital assets to purchase a new home.  Her Legal Aid Society attorney was even able to get her $6,000 for relocation assistance after the foreclosure.

Through the joint efforts of LAS’s Poverty Law Project and Domestic Violence Team, Ms. J. and her son avoided homelessness and instead found stability – in the face of an incredibly trying time.

The mission of Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services is to protect and strengthen families by providing equal access to justice for our most vulnerable among us, including those who are impoverished, the elderly and victims of domestic violence.  LAS was one of the first organizations in the nation to provide legal services for the poor. Since 1886 it has been a pioneer in providing “justice for all,” regardless of ability to pay.  The IEJF is a proud supporter of LAS’ Poverty Law Project.