Updated 2007
The Law and Aging Guide is a comprehensive listing of the state-wide resources available to help older persons with law-related issues. Published by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Guide includes important contact numbers and addresses for legal assistance providers and other law-related services for the elderly. Many states now have toll-free senior legal hotlines. If you are an older person (or family member or trusted friend of an older person) who needs legal advice or assistance, the first step is to see if your state has a hotline, and, if it does, to call the hotline listed below.
[Note: If you are legal services provider or entity listed below, please email any changes of address or information to the ABA Commission at abaelderly@abanet.org , attn: Law and Aging Guide.]
Texas
A. Hotline for Older Texans: (800) 622-2520
Legal Hotline for Older Texans
Texas Legal Services Center
815 Brazos, Ste. 1100
Austin, TX 78701
B. Legal Assistance Developer
Roger Adams, Legal Services Developer
Special Project Coordinator
Texas Department on Aging and Disability Services
701 W. 51st St., Mail Code W 352
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 438-4205; fax (512) 438-4374
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Patty Ducayet
Department of Aging and Disability Services
701 West 51st. St.
P.O. Box 149030, Mail Code 250
Austin, TX 78714-9030
(512) 438-4356; fax (512) 438-4374
Web: http://www.dads.state.tx.us
D. Legal Services Funded Under the Older Americans Act
If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to get legal help from the Legal Services or Legal Aid program in your area. In some communities, the Older Americans Act program serving older people and the legal aid program are one and the same. For a state-by-state listing of Legal Services programs, go to http://www.lsc.gov/
None Listed
E. Bar Committees/Section
State Bar of Texas
1414 Colorado St.
Austin, TX 78701
(800)204-2222 or (512)427-1463
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Texas Chapter
Patricia F. Sitchler
President, Texas Chapter of NAELA
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 224- 4491
G. Legal Assistance Projects Involving Private Attorneys
Many communities are also served by volunteer lawyer (pro bono) programs. These programs are usually sponsored by bar associations. Lawyers in private practice volunteer to help low-income persons free of charge. To find the pro bono program in your state, click on http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/probonodirectory.html
Volunteer Lawyers Projects for Elderly
Coastal Bend Legal Services Pro Bono Project
3825 Agnes
Corpus Christi, TX 78405
(512) 883-3623
The Pro Bono Project has a panel of about 35 attorneys who have indicated a special interest in serving the elderly in the areas of simple wills, probate, tax abatement, Social Security, pensions and other matters. Attorneys also give educational presentations at senior centers.
Reduced-Fee Lawyer Referral Panels for the Elderly (Pro Bono/Reduced Fee)
Legal Hotline for Older Texans/Texas Legal Services Center
815 Brazos, Ste. 1100
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 477-3950; (800) 622-2520
The Legal Hotline for Older Texans is located in Austin, but handles calls equally from anywhere in Texas. Free telephone advice is provided by the equivalent of three full-time attorneys and the managing attorneys, and by pro bono attorneys. If advice, consultation, and self-help materials do not resolve a client's matter, the Hotline refers the client to a panel of private attorneys for reduced-fee representation, to bar association lawyer referral programs, and legal aid offices, as appropriate. The Legal Hotline for Older Texans has been endorsed by the State Bar of Texas. Funding is from AARP and the Texas Legal Services Center, with assistance from the Texas Department on Aging.
West Texas Legal Services
17 S. Chadbourne, 4th Fl.
San Angelo, TX 76903
(915) 653-6982
The Concho Valley Area Agency on Aging contracts with West Texas Legal Services to provide will clinics for the elderly in a 13-county area by Young Lawyers Association members on a rotating basis. Attorneys participating in this program are compensated on a reduced fee basis.
Ongoing Outreach Clinics
San Antonio Pro Bono Law Project
434 S. Main St., Ste. 300
San Antonio, TX 78204
Since 1985, the project has sponsored a legal checkup program with the Peer Counseling Group. Free legal checkups are offered on a monthly basis at community centers. While not specifically for the elderly, the program attracts many older clients.
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
Baylor Law School
1114 S. University Parks Dr.
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 710-1911
Web: http://law.baylor.edu
University of Houston Law Center
100 Law Center
Houston, TX 77204-6060
(713) 743-2100; fax (713) 743-2122
Web: http://www.lawlib.uh.edu
St. Mary's University Law School
One Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, TX 78228-8601
(210) 436-3523; fax (210) 431-4202
Web: http://stmarylaw.stmarytx.edu/
South Texas College of Law
1303 San Jacinto St.
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 659-8040
Web: http://www.stcl.edu
Southern Methodist University
Dedmen School of Law
Hillcrest and Daniel Aves.
Dallas, TX 75275
(214) 768-2550; fax (214) 768-2549
Web: http://www.law.smu.edu
University of Texas School of Law
727 E. Dean Keeton St.
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 471-7726
Web: http://www.utexas.edu/law
Texas Southern University
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
3100 Cleburn St.
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 313-4455; fax (713) 313-1076
Web: http://tsulaw.edu
Texas Tech University School of Law
1802 Hartford Ave.
Lubbock, TX 79409
(806) 742-3990
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
1515 Commerce St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102-6509
(817) 212-4000
Web: http://law.txwes.edu
I. Attorney General's Office
Greg Abbott, Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
300 W. 15th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-2100
Web: http://www.oag.state.tx.us
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agency
Advocacy, Inc.
7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Ste. 171-E
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 454-4816; (800) 252-9108 TDD; fax (512) 323-0902
Email: infoai@advocacyinc.org
Web: http://www.advocacyinc.org
K. Dispute Resolution
Texas Association of Mediators
P.O. Box 191208
Dallas, TX 75219-1208
Email: lexlar@border.net
Web: http://txmediator.org
The association is a statewide organization of mediators with various professional backgrounds, whose mission is to provide leadership in the field of mediation, encourage interdisciplinary cooperation and communication among mediators, set standards for ethical practice, promote professional development, and advance the use of mediation to prevent, manage, or resolve conflict.
Harris County Courthouse, Annex 2
1302 Preston, Ste. 100
Houston, TX 77002-2013
(713) 755-8274
Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution
School of Law
University of Texas at Austin
727 E. 26th St.
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 471-3507
L. Other Projects
Nursing Home Advocacy Project
(888) 343-4414
