Access Justice Brooklyn Inc

Homeowner assistance program: in the past year, the organization handled 516 foreclosure matters, department of buildings violations, and other issues impacting brooklyn homeowners, benefiting nearly 1,400 people. Access justice brooklyn's services to homeowners encompass a range of services that include foreclosure intervention and prevention, assistance with deed theft and other scams, and representation in administrative hearings that concern department of buildings (dob) violations. Ajb staffs several court-based programs for homeowners appearing in kings county supreme court and offers representation through the entire foreclosure process, including loan modifications, foreclosure motion practice, good faith hearings, foreclosure defense litigation, and settlement conferences. In addition to support in foreclosure matters, ajb assists homeowners facing other concerns such as title issues, deed scams, and other forms of property fraud.

Family stabilization program: in the past year, the organization handled 431 family law cases, benefiting over 900 people.in kings county family court, ajb provides advice, brief services, and representation in custody and visitation matters as well as child and spousal support cases. Further, in partnership with law firms, ajb maintains a pro se uncontested divorce program to help individuals file an uncontested divorce in kings county supreme court. Unique among many legal service organizations, ajb also offers advice and representation in article 17a guardianship proceedings in surrogate's court, which designate a family member or friend to act on behalf of a person over the age of 18 who has intellectual or developmental disabilities - employing minimally restrictive options to give much-needed support to individuals and peace of mind to their families.

Senior assistance and miscellaneous mattersin the past year access justice brooklyn handled 34 elder law-related matters such as wills and probate assistance as well as other miscellaneous matters, affecting 44 people. Ajb addresses end of life concerns by helping brooklyn residents prepare and execute wills, health care proxies, and other life planning documents, as well as by handling small estate matters for estates of $50,000 or less. The organization also provides accessible community legal education specifically for older brooklyn residents, focusing on legal issues of concern for seniors such as wills, probate matters, and estate planning; consumer debt; government benefits; and threats to homeownership. This prevention-oriented education gives older brooklyn residents the knowledge and resources to help them retain stability and age in place. Community education and outreachaccess justice brooklyn offers individual legal assistance and community legal education in all its areas of practice - addressing current legal concerns while offering prevention-oriented education that helps individuals access legal help before problems can escalate. Over the last year ajb reached over 1,100 individuals through legal education presentations, workshops, resource fairs, and other outreach events, delivering essential "know your rights" information in neighborhoods throughout brooklyn.continuing legal education (cle)central to ajb's mission and model, the organization recruits and trains pro bono volunteers - including private practitioners, in-house counsel, and law firms - to take cases for representation, furthering access to justice for brooklyn residents. Last year, ajb engaged 264 attorneys, law students, and other volunteers who donated 4,223 hours of compassionate, high-quality legal assistance to brooklyn residents through direct assistance, community education, and other services. During the same period, ajb delivered pitches to 13 law firms; and hosted or participated in a total of nine (9) continuing legal education (cle) sessions for 353 attendees, expanding the pool of legal professionals prepared to deliver community legal support.