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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!

Divorce

  • 12-0032898
    Divorce with Equitable Distribution

    Client/Wife and OP/Husband married in December 2008 and separated in June 2009. OP was emotionally and physically abusive to client. OP allegedly broke both of OP's wrists. OP obtained a PFA against OP in October 2009, which expired in October 2012. The marital estate includes the increase in value on two houses that OP received as an inheritance, one of which OP has sold and the other is used as a rental property, financial accounts, OP's retirement account, and OP's business. OP is a self-employed contractor; Client is disabled. Client would like to obtain a divorce. To date, no divorce action was filed. It is anticipated the OP will have counsel.

    Core Competencies: Draft Pleadings, Analysis of Statutes
  • 111238

    Client/Wife and OP/Husband were married in July 1999 in Morocco and finally separated in November 2011. The parties had separated in 2009; however, according to the client, the parties had reconciled until their separation in November 2011. They are the parents of three minor children.  The parties’ youngest child, age 3, is living with the client; the older two children, ages 10 and 7 are living with OP.  Each party has a protection from abuse order against the other.  Notwithstanding the current PFA against the client, she has been the victim of years of abuse by OP during the parties’ marriage.  The marital estate includes the former marital residence, two automobiles, a modest bank account, and credit card debt.  OP previously owned an interest in a restaurant; OP may still have thousands of dollars of furniture and equipment from the restaurant.  A divorce has been filed by OP, who is represented by counsel.  OP is employed; the client is not.  The client’s primary language is Arabic. Translation and interpretation assistance are available. 
    Core Competencies:  Negotiation Skills, Factual Development and Investigation.

     

  • 13-0033138
    Divorce with Equitable Distribution

    Client/Husband and OP/Wife were married in August 2003 and separated in November 2012. OP obtained a PFA against Client in January 2013.  The parties have three children, ages 1, 3 and 8 (who live with OP). The marital estate includes the former marital home, one automobile, OP’s pension, modest bank accounts, credit card debt, and student loans. A divorce complaint has been filed by OP, who is represented by counsel; Client was served on 01/09/2013. The Client seeks assistance in obtaining support for himself, and in obtaining a division of the marital estate.

    Core Competencies:  Client Interviewing and Discovery Practice

     

  • 12-0031115
    Divorce

    Client/Wife and OP/Husband were married in 2007 in Morocco and separated in May 2011.  Although the client has living in Philadelphia since the parties separated, OP still resides in Ohio.  Client is not sure of any marital assets or debts that may have been in OP’s name. Client would like assistance  with a divorce. No action has been started to date. Client’s primary language is Arabic. Interpreting assistance is available upon request.

    Core Competencies: Draft Pleadings, Discovery Practice

  • 13-0033576
    Divorce with Equitable Distribution

    Client/Wife and OP/Husband were married in June 2006 and separated in July 2012. OP has recently filed for divorce. There is a modest marital estate which includes debts and the damage which OP allegedly caused to Client’s car. OP is represented by counsel.

    Core Competencies: Negotiation Skills, Client Interviewing

  • 13-0033328
    Divorce Only

    Client/Husband and OP/Wife were married in 1997 in Delaware County, PA and have been separated since 2005. They do not have any children together. Client claims he and OP hold no assets, nor liabilities. Client is seeking legal assistance to obtain a divorce.

    Core Competencies: Draft Pleadings, Analysis of Statutes

     

  • 12-0032374
    Divorce

    Client/Wife and OP/Husband were married in October 2009 and separated several weeks later.  OP convinced Client to move from Mississippi to Philadelphia in May 2011; however, she has had limited contact with him since her move. OP’s last known address is in the Netherlands.  Client would like assistance with a divorce.

    Core Competencies: Draft Pleadings, Factual Development and Investigation.

     

  • 13-0033458
    Divorce with Equitable Distribution

    Client/Wife and OP/Husband were married in April 2012 and separated in November 2012.  Client has a PFA against OP.  Prior to the parties’ marriage, Client received a worker’s compensation settlement which client loans to OP for a deposit on the purchase of a home for the parties. OP never made the deposit for a house, but may have wrongfully taken the money for his own use.  Client would like assistance in obtaining a divorce and spousal support. OP is employed; Client is not. Marital estate may include a business run by OP. 

    Core Competencies: Discovery Practice and Factual Development and Investigation

     

Guardianship

  • 13-0033346

    Client needs assistance to obtain guardianship of her mother.  Client’s mother is currently being held in a facility in Texas.  Client’s mother struggles with mental illness and addiction issues.  Mother resided with client in Philadelphia prior to being arrested.  A federal court determined mother to be incompetent and placed her in the facility in Texas.  Client would like to be appointed guardian so she can make medical and financial decisions for her mother.

    Core Competencies: Draft Pleadings, Courtroom Experience

     

  • 13-0033593

    Client seeks assistance in obtaining guardianship of his elderly mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Mother resides in client's home. Client seeks guardianship so that he can more easily administer his mother’s medical care and financial matters. Physician and neurologist are available to testify to mother's condition.
    Core Competencies: Courtroom Experience, Draft Pleadings