LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC HANDBOOK

LEGAL ADVICE

CLINIC

HANDBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. ESTATE AND INCAPACITY PLANNING a. The Basics of Estate and Incapacity Planning Documents

i. A Will... ii. Power of Attorney

iii. Medical Power of Attorney.. iv. Declaration of Guardian.. v. Declaration of Guardian for Minor Child

vi. Directive to Physicians. vii. Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains..

viii. HIPAA..

II. PROBATE a. The Basics of Probate

i. Probating the Estate of a Person who Died Intestate... ii. Types of Wills..

iii. Probate of the Estate of a Person Who Died with a Will. b. Charts for Texas Descent and Distribution..

III. GUARDIANSHIP a. The Basics of Guardianship

i. When is Guardianship Needed?............................................................................... ii. What is Required?................................................................................................... .

iii. Who is Disqualified to Serve as Guardian?............................................................. iv. Bond Money . v. Guardians Powers and Duties..

vi. Management of Assets. vii. Annual and Final Accounting ..

viii. Death, Resignation, Removal, and Restoration Guardianship Ends. ix. Form Physicians Letter as to Degree of Incapacity.. x. Form Physicians Affidavit Supporting Mental Status Examination.

IV. LANDLORD / TENANT a. Landlord Tenant Basics

i. Section 8 Housing or Public Housing?.................................................................... ii. Lease?......................................................................................................................

iii. Provisions Generally Applicable to Landlords and Tenants iv. Residential Tenancies.. . v. Repair or Closing of Leasehold

vi. Security Deposits.. vii. Security Devises...

viii. Smoke Detectors.. ix. Retaliation x. Forcible Entry and Detainer Suits Evictions.

b. Tenants Rights i. Personal Property.

1. Removing Property. 2. Unpaid Rent.. 3. Abandoned Property.

ii. Changing Locks 1. Unpaid Rent. 2. Notice of Intent ................................................................................................ 3. Failure to Provide Required Notices ................................................................

iii. Security. 1. Security Devices .............................................................................................. 2. Re-Keying Locks ............................................................................................. 3. Timely Repairs ................................................................................................. 4. Vandalism/ Burglary ........................................................................................

iv. Repairs.. 1. Health and Safety ............................................................................................. 2. Notice in Writing ............................................................................................. 3. Timely Repair ..................................................................................................

v. Sample Letters and Petitions ........................................................................................ 1. Letter Re: Removal of Property ....................................................................... 2. Petition for Removal of Property ..................................................................... 3. Letter to repair security devices ....................................................................... 4. Petition for failure to maintain devices ............................................................ 5. Letter to demand re-key of security devices .................................................... 6. Petition for failure to re-key ............................................................................. 7. Eviction Hold Off Agreement ..........................................................................

vi. How-To Exercise Your Right as a Tenant to Repairs ................. 1. Certified Letter Requesting Repairs ....

vii. Retaliation viii. Roommates...

1. Each Tenant ..................................................................................................... 2. Paying Rent Among Roommates ..................................................................... 3. If Your Roommate Moves Out ........................................................................

ix. Security Deposit... .... 1. Last Months Rent ............................................................................................. 2. Giving Notice ................................................................................................... 3. Documenting Flaws in the Unit ....................................................................... 4. Amount to be Returned .................................................................................... 5. Suing for the Deposit .......................................................................................

x. Utilities ..................... xi. Eviction ........

1. Process for Eviction ......................................................................................... 2. Public Records .................................................................................................

xii. Filing Suit............. xiii. Eviction Case Appeal Bond .........................................................................................

V. CONSUMER / BANKRUPTCY a. Basics about Consumer and Bankruptcy .........

i. Consumer Issues Regarding Debts. ..... ii. Debt Relief Strategies

iii. Bankruptcy Basics.. iv. Consumer Flow Chart ..................................................................................................

b. Stop Harassing Phone Calls i. Chart of Who is Calling and What to Do .....................................................................

ii. Sample Cease Communication Letter .......................................................................... c. Credit Cards

i. Fees Associated with Credit Cards. ii. Negotiating Credit Card Interest Rates Before You Get Behind

iii. Negotiating Rates with Your Creditor ......................................................................... iv. Steps to Escaping Debt...

d. Fair Credit Reporting Act ........................................................................................................ e. Getting a Copy of Your Credit Report f. Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Basics .............................................................................. g. Payday Loans ........................................................................................................................... h. My Car Got Towed! What Do I Do?.................................................................................

i. Recovering Your Car.. ii. When is a Tow Legal..

iii. Recovering Your Money. iv. Example Forms Small Claims Petition .....................................................................

i. Identity Theft. i. Definition... ......

ii. Effects ...... iii. Prevention... ..... iv. What to do If You Think Your Identity Has Been Stolen.. ..... v. Instructions for Completing the ID Theft Affidavit .....................................................

j. Occupational Drivers License .. ..... i. Who is Eligible ............................................................................................................

ii. How to Get One ........................................................................................................... VI. REAL PROPERTY AND DEEDS

a. General Warranty Deed ........................................................................................................... b. Special Warranty Deed ............................................................................................................ c. Quitclaim Deed ........................................................................................................................ d. Real Property ...........................................................................................................................

VII. TAX a. Offer in Compromise (OIC)..................................................................................................... b. What You Must Know Before You File an OIC ..................................................................... c. How to File an OIC .................................................................................................................. d. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) .......................................................................................... e. Havent Filed an Income Tax Return? .....................................................................................

ESTATE AND

INCAPACITY

PLANNING

Basics of Estate and Incapacity Planning Documents

I. Will document prepared to express a persons wishes about his property after his death

a. Testator may leave his property to whomever he wishes family, friend, significant other, charity or spend all his money before death

b. Wills do have suggested sections to prevent problems with distribution of property i. Testator must identify all family members even children he doesnt like or wife hes

separated from to show that he in fact is competent and does know who his family

members are

ii. Testators estate must first pay the testators debts before distribution of property