Blog

In 2013, more than 28,000 families were evicted from their homes in New York City. Because the Constitution does not provide a right to counsel in civil cases, many tenants navigate housing court without the assistance of counsel. In 2014, only 10% of tenants facing eviction had legal representation in housing court.

CourtHelp, the New York Court System’s website for people appearing in civil court without a lawyer, recently underwent a major redesign to help demystify court processes and procedures, and provide easy to understand explanations of the law and legal rights .

New court rules and new state regulations have been adopted to protect consumers and ensure a fair legal process.Over 100,000 credit card debt collection cases are brought every year against ordinary consumers in New York State, many of whom are elderly or disadvantaged. Often these cases get to court through deceptive debt collection practices. Many debt collectors buy old debt at a discount from a credit card company or another debt collector.

What you need to know as a homeless student.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=189RhSMUj-Q&index=12

In 2013, there were over half a million adult arrests made in New York State. A portion of those arrests are for minor crimes and have ended without a conviction. [source] The impact of an arrest on a person’s life is not often measured, seen, or heard by others. But, unfortunately an arrest can impact that person’s future heavily.

Rent-stabilized tenants are now protected from homelessness when facing bankruptcy.Have you been considering filing for bankruptcy but afraid to do so out of fear of losing your home? This fear was especially well-founded for rent stabilized tenants in NYC when they lived in neighborhoods that were gentrifying.  A new court decision, described below,  has put an end to this risk.

Filing for divorce.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXOebVwih7s&index=20

Older Yorkers often ask one or both of the following questions about wills:  Do I really need a will?

 (Photo: Pamela Andrade)

New Yorkers with an immigration question can call the New York State New Americans Hotline, 1-800-566-7636, for general information and referrals on immigration and naturalization questions.