Legal Advocacy

AVDA's attorneys and staff provide free legal representation in English or Spanish in family law matters for victims of domestic violence. Guidelines apply.

Representation

• Emergency representation is provided for client and minor children regardless of citizenship or residency IF victim of crime.
  
  
  • Protective Orders
  • Emergency Injunctions/Restraining Orders
• Non-Emergency clients MUST meet formal citizenship/immigration status. IF divorce is due to domestic violence, undocumented clients can also be eligible.
  
  
  • Divorce
  • Child Custody/Visitation
  • Child Support

Guidelines

Residency in Harris County for 90 days and in Texas for six months for at least one of the parties to the action

• Low or modest family income
• The individual or her/his children have experienced recent physical and/or sexual abuse or a pattern of abuse including controlling and emotionally abusive behavior.
• 
  Fees

All legal advocacy and representation services are offered at no cost to the client. If AVDA accepts a client's case for representation, AVDA automatically files for a waiver of the Harris County filing fees and other court costs on a client's behalf. If the waiver is rejected, then individuals accepted for legal representation are responsible for Harris County filing fees and other court costs.