Practice Areas

Houston Volunteer Lawyers assists those who cannot afford legal representation in civil legal matters by connecting those in need of legal assistance with volunteer lawyers.  Below is a list of the most frequent areas of law and types of matters where your help is needed. All cases that are ready for a volunteer attorney can be found in the HVL Pro Bono Portal. To access the Portal and take a case, you must Register first. If you are already registered, click here to view what is available and take a case. There is one waiting for you!

Family Law

  • Divorce
  • Custody, Visitation
  • Support

Housing

  • Landlord, Tenant
  • Homeownership
  • Real Estate Property (not Foreclosure)

Federal Taxes

  • Collection matters including Offer in Compromise
  • Audits and Examination
  • U.S. Tax Court Litigation
The LITC clinic does not generally provide tax return preparation.

Guardianship

  • Guardianship of a disabled child
    turning 18
  • Alternatives to Guardianship

Estate Planning

  • Wills
  • Transfer on Death Deed
  • Other Estate Planning Documents

Probate

  • Estate Administration
  • Intestate Succession

Consumer Law

  • Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA)
  • Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
  • Texas Debt Collection Act (TDCA)

Veterans

  • Discharge Upgrade
  • Disability Compensation
  • VA Pension
  • Death Benefits

Criminal Expunctions and Non-Disclosures

  • Arrests, Dismissals, and Pre-Trial Diversion Programs
  • Deferred Adjudications
  • Misdemeanor Convictions
  • Juvenile Records Sealing