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Mortgage Forbearance & Homebuyers Education

Don’t miss the opportunity of becoming a HOMEOWNER. Is homeownership for me? How do I stick with a budget and maintain my credit scores? What is the role of a realtor and a home inspector? How do I qualify for a loan? What is a home sale “Closing?” Being well-informed…

Financial Matters

Debt & Creditors

Mortgage Foreclosures

People who take out a loan to purchase a home in Florida typically sign a promissory note and a mortgage. A promissory note is a document containing the borrower’s promise to repay the loan, as well as the terms for repayment. The mortgage creates a security interest in the property.…

Family & Personal

Housing

Financial Matters

Debt & Creditors

Mortgage Hardship after Disaster

When homeowners struggle to make their mortgage payments, there are options to consider. Fortunately, most mortgage loans (three out of five) made in the United States are government-sponsored or government-insured, and, as a result, the rules governing how homeowners with these mortgages will be treated after disasters or set-backs are…

Financial Matters

Debt & Creditors | Disaster Relief

Name Change

It is common for people to want to change their name. A name change can be an important step for a person to move on from a bad situation, adopt a name that inspires them, or choose a name that is more strongly associated with a person’s gender identity; but…

Family & Personal

Divorce & Children

Non-Parent Custody

CLS provides legal advice and representation to people seeking to establish custody of a child. Florida law only references custody in certain situations. If you are involved in a divorce, paternity, or domestic violence injunction case, the law doesn’t call responsibility of children who are involved in the case “custody.”…

Family & Personal

Divorce & Children

Non-Profit Affordable Housing Developers

Central Florida has one of the most severe affordable housing crises in the nation. According to a report issued by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the metropolitan Orlando area has only 18 affordable units for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. For additional information about the housing crisis in…

Overcoming Criminal History

Community Legal Services is unable to assisting people with criminal cases or criminal defense. If you are facing criminal charges and need more legal assistance than you already have, try searching the Florida Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service to find help. We can offer these legal information pages for people interested…

Paycheck Garnishment

In Florida, creditors (people or companies that you owe) are permitted to take, seize, or “garnish” your wages to pay debts that you owe. If a creditor sues you and wins to recover the remainder of your debt, they will obtain a “Final Judgment” against you. It is important to…

Financial Matters

Debt & Creditors

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives another person, called your agent, the legal authority to act on your behalf. You, who are referred to as the “Principal,” give an agent the power to make decisions on your behalf. These decisions relate to your personal matters,…

Family & Personal

Wills, Estates, & Powers of Attorney

Prevent Home Foreclosure

Foreclosure occurs when the homeowner is unable to make mortgage loan payments as required. If you miss payments, your lender may be able to legally take back the property through a legal process known as foreclosure.

Family & Personal

Housing

Financial Matters

Debt & Creditors