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Available Cases

VIP offers the unique opportunity to positively affect the lives of low income Philadelphia residents. We provide resources to assist you throughout the case, including mentors, interpreters, law students and training materials. VIP has included potential core competencies that staff anticipate volunteer counsel would achieve by taking the case, but these experiences are not guaranteed. Every VIP case provides an opportunity for direct client contact and case management. Join the VIP team by taking a case!

If you are interested in taking one of the following cases, please click on the case number to send an email to the VIP staff. Thank you!

Contracts

  • 13-0033475

    Client, a widow, needs assistance in an insurance matter.  Client’s husband died in July 2010.  Client attempted to claim the policies insuring her husband’s life.  At that time client learned that one of her husband’s policies had been cancelled.  Client states that she did not cancel the policy and had continued making payments on the policy.  Additionally, client was informed that her husband’s brother was the beneficiary of the policy that remained in effect.  The insurance company informed client that the proceeds were paid out to the brother but client says brother denies receiving payment.  Client seeks assistance to determine what happened to the insurance policies and proceeds.

    Core competencies: Factual development and investigation, Negotiation skills
     

  • 13-0033684

    Client needs representation in an insurance matter.  Client’s car was vandalized and burned in November 2012.  Client filed a claim with her insurance company and still has not received payment or a decision on the claim.  The police investigated but were unable to tell client what happened to her car.  The police released the car to the insurance company in January 2013.  Client needs assistance to convince the insurance company to pay the insurance claim.

    Core Competencies: Negotiation Skills, Factual Investigation and Development

     

  • 13-0033573

    Client needs representation in a small claims matter.  The opposing party is client’s ex-boyfriend.  The complaint alleges client fraudulently obtained title to opposing party’s car while opposing party was incarcerated.  Client states that opposing party gave the car to client after opposing party was incarcerated.  Opposing party has provided copies of signed and notarized documents from opposing party giving client authority to take ownership of the car.  Client paid the balance on a title loan taken out by opposing party prior to transferring title to her name in June 2008.  The car was stolen in November 2008.  Opposing party filed the complaint February 5, 2013 and is seeking $10,000.  The hearing is scheduled for July 1, 2013 at 11:00 am.

    Core Competencies: Courtroom Experience, Factual Development and Investigation
     

  • 12-0032823

    Client’s roof and interior of home were damaged by storms in 2011. Client's insurance company is covering the costs of the damage. Insurance company sent a check to the mortgage company to handle the distribution of the money. Client hired a licensed contractor to complete the repairs of her roof. Contractor was initially paid $5,380.51 to work on the repairs. Contractor put some patches on the roof and asked for more money in order to buy supplies to continue working on the roof. Insurance inspector came to the house and established that contractor only did 20% of the work.  Client would like money returned from contractor in order to continue to pay for the repairs of her home. Client seeks assistance in this matter. Client is elderly and Spanish-speaking.  VIP has language interpreter and translation services available upon request.
    Core Competencies: Factual Investigation and Development, Courtroom Experience

     

Custody

  • 13-0033928
    Custody before a Master

    Client is the Paternal Grandmother (PGM) of one minor child, age 6. The child is currently living with her mother (OP); the father is incarcerated. Client believes OP does not have the means to take care of the child, since OP is living with her boyfriend and his 7 minor children. Client is also concerned about the child’s well-being because the child’s living conditions may not be safe or healthy for the child. Client seeks partial custody and is scheduled for a custody master’s hearing on January 27, 2014 at 8:15 AM. Client would like representation at this hearing and assistance with the filing for expedited relief. OP is not represented by counsel.

    Core Competencies: Courtroom Experience, Draft Pleadings.

  • 13-0033642
    Custody hearing before a Judge

    Client/Father and OP/Mother are the parents of one minor child, age 7 months.  As a result of unsubstantiated allegations by OP, an interim custody order was entered which provides client has supervised partial custody of the child for 3 hours every Saturday at a local fast food restaurant.  Client would like to spend time with the child in an unsupervised setting.  There is a hearing scheduled before Judge Roca on July 22, 2013 at 9 am.  OP is represented by counsel.

    Core Competencies:  Courtroom Experience, Witness Preparation

     

  • 13-0033591
    Custody hearing before a Judge

    Client/Mother and OP/Father are the parents of a minor child, age 3. Client has primary physical custody of the child and OP has partial custody on weekends. OP wants custody from Monday through Wednesday on alternate weeks and alternate weekends; Client suspects OP wants so much time in order to get a reduction in his child support obligation. OP is represented by counsel. Matter is scheduled for a hearing before Judge Thompson on October 7, 2013.

    Core Competencies: Courtroom Experience, Client Interviewing

     

  • 13-0033605
    Urgent Need
    Child Custody before Master

    Client/Mother and OP/Father are the parents of two minor children, ages 14 and 12.  Under the terms of the current Order, the parties are to share legal and physical custody of the children.  The children currently spend more time with OP. Client, who is not employed, would like primary custody of the children. OP is employed and is represented by counsel.  OP filed a Petition to Modify Custody which is scheduled for a conference before Master Andreola on June 26, 2013 at 9 a.m. 

    Core Competencies: Courtroom Experience, Factual Development and Investigation.

  • 13-0033057
    Child Custody

    Client/Father and OP/Mother are the parents of a child, age 9 months.  Client is legally blind. OP has been denying Client access to the child.  Client filed for shared physical and legal custody. There is a Conference scheduled before Master Welkie on July 10, 2013.  Client has a PFA against OP.  OP is represented by counsel.

    Core Competencies: Courtroom Experience, Factual Development and Investigation

  • 12-0033019
    Child Custody before Master

    Client/Mother and OP/Father are the parents of one minor child, age 7. Pursuant to the Temporary Order entered on March 1, 2013, incident to OP’s petition for expedited relief, Client retains primary physical custody and OP has partial physical custody on weekends from Friday through Sunday. The pick-up and drop-off of the child is handled by paternal grandparents. Client works some weekends, so Client thinks that the current scheduled should be modified. There is a hearing before a Judge scheduled for October 28, 2013 at 9 a.m.  OP is represented by counsel.
    Core Competencies: Courtroom experience, Client Interviewing OP is represented by counsel.