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URGENT NEED
Tax/Identity Theft I am interested in taking this case > (59) 092101 Client seeks assistance in a federal tax controversy for 2007. Client filed his return timely. A fraudulent return was filed using client’s SSN with an address where client never resided. Client believes he was the victim of identity theft. Client was supposed to receive a refund for 2007. Client received Notice to Levy his wages in November 2009. Client needs representation to resolve controversy with IRS and help him obtain his refund.
Homeownership/ProbateI am interested in taking this case > (81) 090843 Client needs assistance raising and administering her foster mother’s estate. Client lived with foster mother after her biological mother’s death and cared for foster mother until her death. Mother’s only known living heir (her husband predeceased her) is her cousin, who is willing to let client have at least a life estate in the property. The attorney will need to petition the PA Department of Public Welfare to waive or postpone its claim against the foster mother’s estate. Client is very responsive and cooperative and is anxious to proceed so that she can enter into payment agreements for property taxes.
Homeownership/ProbateI am interested in taking this case > (81) 092261 Client, a single father of a 2-year-old son, needs assistance in raising and administering his mother's estate. Client's mother died when he was 13, and he only recently moved back into mother's home. The December ’09 sheriff's sale for unpaid property taxes was postponed until March 25, 2010 to allow client to begin the probate process. Once client has title in his name, he will be able to enter into a payment agreement with the City. Client has one sister who does not want title to the house.
Homeownership/Adverse PossessionI am interested in taking this case > (81) 081518 Client, a single mother of two minor daughters, needs assistance filing a complaint to quiet title to her home based on adverse possession. Client has lived in the property since she was 10 years old. The record owners of the property, her mother and stepfather, are deceased, and because stepfather died after mother, client is not an intestate heir to the property. Stepfather was survived by several siblings; client is trying to obtain contact information for the living siblings and the children of deceased siblings. The 21-year adverse possession period was completed on January 17, 2010, so the complaint should be filed as soon as possible. Once title is in client’s name, she will be able to enter into payment agreements for a water lien and property tax arrearages.
LITIGATION: FAMILY
CustodyI am interested in taking this case > (97) 092115 Client, maternal grandmother, seeks to retain custody of her grandchildren, ages five and seven. The children lived with their mother all their lives until she passed away in November 2009.The Client wants to keep the two boys together with their half-brother who also resides with the Client. Custody is being contested by the paternal grandmother who is seeking to intervene in this matter and also by the father. A Rule to Show Cause is scheduled on February 17, 2010 in Philadelphia Family Court, Courtroom 12, to address paternal grandmother’s petition to intervene. A Custody Hearing is scheduled before Judge Pechkurow on April 12, 2010 in Philadelphia Family Court, Courtroom 12.
Divorce I am interested in taking this case > (66) 100071 Client needs representation in a divorce with equitable distribution. Opposing party was evicted from home on a temporary PFA after pulling a gun on client. Opposing party is represented and has served client with a divorce complaint. Client consents to the divorce and needs counsel to ensure that her interests are protected.
OTHER LITIGATION
Licenses (Auto and Other) I am interested in taking this case > (66) 092083 Client is a participant in the Federal Prisoner Reentry Program of US District Court for Eastern District of PA. Client has 6 indefinite suspensions from 1994 stemming from a live stop involving a friend’s car. Client never had a driver’s license. Client needs assistance to have the indefinite suspension fines reduced or eliminated and to set up a payment plan for remaining fines, in order to work toward obtaining a license.
Licenses (Auto and Other) I am interested in taking this case > (66) 092084 Client, participant in the Federal Prisoner Reentry Program of US District Court for Eastern District of PA, recently discovered that his license was suspended. Client applied for a permit after he was released from incarceration and was told his license was suspended until 2014, and that he owed more than $4,000 in arrears. Client was aware of several traffic tickets that he had received in 1993, but was under the impression that he had resolved the issues. Client needs assistance to get his term suspensions lifted or reduced in order to be able to utilize a car to find gainful employment.
LITIGATION: TAX
Tax/Identity Theft I am interested in taking this case > (59) 091905 Client seeks assistance in a federal income tax matter for 2007. Client received notice of changes to his account in September 2009 with additional unclaimed earnings of $109,900. Client did not need to file taxes in 2007. Client believes he was the victim of identity theft. Client needs representation to clear earnings from his tax account and resolve outstanding liability. Client is Spanish-speaking. Translation and interpretation assistance are available.
Tax/Identity Theft I am interested in taking this case > (59) 100090 Client seeks assistance in resolving his tax controversy with the IRS caused by identity theft. Client filed police report and fraud report with IRS. Client is a participant in the Federal Prisoner Re-entry Program of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Client was incarcerated in 2008 but a tax return was filed under his name and SSN with a NJ address where he never resided. Client needs representation to assist him in resolving controversy for his 2008 account.
Tax I am interested in taking this case > (59) 092228 Client seeks assistance in a federal income tax controversy. Client claimed her nephew as dependent and claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit. Client supported her nephew who lived with her for the entire year in 2007. Client received a refund but later was audited and received notice she owed over $4000. Client entered into a payment plan to avoid levy on her wages. Client needs representation to prove EITC eligibility and resolve liability.
LAWWORKS: HOMEOWNERSHIP
Homeownership/Probate I am interested in taking this case > (81) 090840 Client's deceased grandmother is still the record owner of the property in which client lives. Client has a 3/4 interest in the property through his deceased father and his mother, who was not married to father at his death. The remaining ¼ interest is held by the estate of his father’s legal wife; her heirs are unknown. The attorney acting as executor of his mother’s estate did not complete the estate administration after raising the estate over 6 years ago. Client needs assistance filing a section 3546 petition in order to have title to the property transferred into his name. Client is being assisted by Germantown Crisis Ministry to get this matter resolved.
Homeownership/Probate I am interested in taking this case > (81) 091364 Client needs assistance in administering her common law husband’s estate so that she can transfer title to her home into her name and assume the mortgage on the property (payments are current). Client’s two adult daughters and her son’s minor children live in the home as well. The attorney will need to file a petition for citation with the Register of Wills asking for client to be recognized as decedent’s common law spouse. Since all three of decedent’s children are issue of the common law marriage and wish for client to obtain legal recognition of her status, there should be no difficulty in obtaining such a decree. Client can provide supportive documentation, and VIP can assist with the petition. Client’s and decedent’s three children are willing to transfer their interests to client if the common law marriage is not recognized.
Homeownership/Probate I am interested in taking this case > (81) 091631 Client needs assistance probating his deceased mother’s estate so that he can transfer title to his home into his name and enter into payment agreements for back property taxes and utilities. The home is the only asset in the estate. A foreclosure action against the property for a mortgage taken out by his mother has been stayed, and client may have to enter into a loan modification with the lender, which also requires that he have title to the property.
Homeownership/Probate I am interested in taking this case > (81) 091692 Client’s home is owned by his deceased wife, who died in 2001. Wife's mother deeded the property to wife in 1997, and the deed gives mother the right to live in the property for the remainder of her life. Wife's mother lives in Florida and has no intention of returning to Pennsylvania. Client needs assistance in raising and administering his late wife’s estate (intestacy) and transferring title to the property into his name, subject to the mother’s life estate.
Homeownership/Probate I am interested in taking this case > (96) 091762 Client lives in the house of her deceased mother. Her mother died intestate in 2003, survived by Client’s step-father, Client, and Client’s two sisters. Client’s step-father died intestate in 2006 with no children, possibly leaving nieces and nephews as his only heirs, whom client is looking for. Client’s two sisters are willing to sign their interests in the property to Client. Client has been active in repairing and maintaining the house and needs title in order to address real estate tax liens. Client requires assistance in filing a § 3546 petition in Orphan’s Court to obtain title to the property.
Homeownership/Probate I am interested in taking this case > (74) 091843 Client is residing in the home titled in her deceased parent’s name. Client has five siblings who all signed disclaimers giving up their interest in the property to client. Client needs assistance in probating her mother’s estate so that she can enter into a payment plan to pay delinquent real estate taxes and water charges.
Homeownership/Probate I am interested in taking this case > (96) 091901 Client has lived with her three minor children in her grandmother’s house since 2001, when the grandmother moved to an assisted care facility. Client’s grandmother died intestate in 2004, survived by eight of her ten children. All parties are willing to sign their interests over to Client and agree that Client should have the house. There is no mortgage and the house is mostly in good condition. Client is up to date with real estate taxes and utility payment plans. Client needs assistance probating grandmother’s estate and having title transferred to her so she can negotiate a more affordable water payment plan and apply for grants to make minor repairs on the house.
Homeownership/Probate I am interested in taking this case > (96) 091946 Client is living in his deceased grandmother’s house. Client’s grandmother died in 2008 devising the house to Client as the residuary beneficiary, but making Client’s uncle the executor of the will. Uncle has not opened the estate because he wants to sell the house. Client has been alienated from most of his family and is currently supporting his unemployed mother. There is no mortgage on the house and client is mostly current with real estate taxes and utilities. Client needs assistance filing a petition to show cause why letters of administration should not be granted to the Client with the Register of Wills, and then will need assistance probating his grandmother’s estate and obtaining title. Client would like to stay in his home and needs title in his name to apply for city grants for a new heater and minor structural repairs. Client is very responsive and cooperative.
Homeownership/Real Property I am interested in taking this case > (95) 092190 After suffering a stroke, client was forced to move from his home to his girlfriend’s home so that she could better take care of him. Client is currently living with his girlfriend, his 5 children, and his 1 grandchild in his girlfriend's home. Recently, as client prepared to move back to his home, he noticed workers moving out his belongings. Client investigated and discovered that the property had been fraudulently conveyed. Prior to the fraudulent conveyance, deed to the property was in client's and his estranged wife’s names. As a result, client needs assistance in filing a quiet title to strike the fraudulent conveyance and to place title to the property back in his and his estranged wife’s names.
Homeownership/Real Property/Mortgage Satisfaction I am interested in taking this case > (95) 090462 Client obtained a mortgage in 2000 on her residence. In 2003, client filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, including proof of claim on the mortgage showing a secured claim for $1. The creditor did not object and in 2004 a secured claim was paid by the trustee, discharging the mortgage. Post-discharge, client sent creditor a letter demanding that the creditor record a satisfaction of mortgage but received no response. As a result, client needs assistance with a new mortgage satisfaction action or, if the creditor cannot be located, a quiet title action with a motion for alternate service.
LAWWORKS: NONPROFIT/SMALL BUSINESS
Choice of Entity I am interested in taking this case > (93) 092205 Client is a newly established janitorial company. The client is currently a sole proprietorship and would like assistance changing to a LLC.
Dissolution I am interested in taking this case > (93) 091640 Client, a nonprofit organization that provided services to homeless residents of the community, is defunct. The organization’s executive director and one other remaining board member need assistance in dissolving the organization and filing all necessary state and federal reports and forms. As part of the dissolution, the organization will transfer the building owned by the organization to the executive director, who will accept personal responsibility for dealing with the organization’s liabilities (judgments for electric, water and gas services and back property taxes are equal to or greater than the value of the building). The attorney assisting with the dissolution would ideally also prepare the transfer deed, but another attorney can be found for the title transfer if necessary.
Incorporation I am interested in taking this case > (93) 100002 Client wants to start a nonprofit organization that will purchase and permanently retire CO2 emissions allowances and credits from regulated “cap-and-trade” markets. Client needs assistance filing for incorporation and 501(c)(3) status. Client would also like general advice regarding intellectual property issues that may arise.
Intellectual Property I am interested in taking this case > (95) 100047 Client is an entertainment company that engages the community through lectures and dance productions. In 2008, a dance team supported by client appeared on MTV. Client seeks legal assistance relating to intellectual property to ensure that client’s images and logos are not used without permission.