The American Bar Association Section of Family Law is dedicated to assisting attorneys affected by hurricanes as well as those serving affected persons.

If you are in need of legal assistance call the ABA Young Lawyers Division/FEMA Hotline:
Alabama: 1-800-354-6154
Florida: 1-800-621-3362
Louisiana: 1-800-310-7029
Mississippi: 1-866-255-4495
Texas: 1-800-504-7030
State Bar of Texas/Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program

For comprehensive resources please visit www.abanet.org/katrina or www.katrinalegalaid.org.

Court Information

State-by-State Listing of Licensing and Court Order Information - ABA Center for Professional Responsibility
National Center for State Courts Clearinghouse of information on courts affected by Katrina
Florida State Courts
Louisiana Supreme Court

Emergency Legal Assistance Orders
Florida
Louisiana
Mississippi
Texas

Children's Issues

UIFSA
The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) is designed to regulate a one order system for establishment and maintenance of support orders.
View a PowerPoint presentation explaining the history and application of UIFSA.

UCCJA and UCCJEA
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (1968) and subsequent Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act were created to establish national uniformity with regard to interstate custody matters. The growing frequency of interstate jurisdiction issues makes UCCJEA an important and necessary framework to resolve a variety of issues across state lines. As of November 2005, UCCJEA has been adopted in 44 states (see map).

Learn more about UCCJA and UCCJEA.

Additional Resources on Children's Issues
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) - www.nccusl.org
Foster Care or Adoptive Families for Katrina-Affected Children

Attorneys Wanting to Help

Resource Manuals prepared by State Bar Associations to assist attorneys serving persons in their state.
Florida
Louisiana
Mississippi - Part I and Part II
Texas

Pro bono training calendar - Programs across the country presented by American Bar Association, Legal Services Corporation, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and Pro Bono Net educate attorneys to help those affected by Katrina

Contributions are still needed by many agencies serving those in need. Donations can be sent to:

Louisiana State Bar Association Foundation
601 St. Charles Ave
New Orleans, LA 70130

Louisiana State Bar Association Relief Fund
Hurricane Katrina Legal Community Relief Fund
c/o Baton Rouge Bar Foundation
544 Main Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

The Mississippi Bar Foundation
643 North State Street
P.O. Box 2168
Jackson, MS 39225-2168
(601) 960-9575
Fax: (601) 355-8635
Larry Houchins
Executive Director
Email: houchins@msbar.org

Legal services and pro bono programs seeking donations

General Resources
Alabama State Bar
American Bar Association
The Florida Bar
Government Disaster Assistance
Louisiana State Bar Association
Mississippi Bar Association
State Bar of Texas

Family Law Contacts
For specific family law questions related to hurricane relief, please contact the following Section of Family Law members:
Louisiana
Randy Fuerst
Stockwell Sievert et al
1 Lakeside Plz, 4th Fl
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 436-9491

Jim Ortego
SWLA Legal Services Soc Inc
PO Box 3002
Lake Charles, LA 70602-3002
(318) 436-3308
jimortego@yahoo.com

Mississippi
Mark Chinn
Chinn & Associates
4316 Old Canton Rd, Ste 200
Jackson, MS 39211-6059
(601)366-4410

E-mail Us
We hope this site has been a helpful resource for you.
If you have any additional questions or comments, please let us know.