Blog Posts

Amber Marie Goethel joined our Board of Directors in 2016 and has contributed since to our organizations in countless ways, from pro bono work, public outreach and speaking about our mission, to fundraising and special event support. Goethel practices in Holland & Knight’s Fort Lauderdale office in the areas of real estate, corporate and franchise law. Her experience includes representing lenders in closing a variety of real estate transactions and in commercial real estate lending workouts. She... Read More

Our elderly client, Cindy, recently received proceeds from a reverse mortgage. Meanwhile, a 15 year old judgment surfaced causing $21,000 to be frozen pending garnishment in Cindy’s bank account. The bank garnishment threatened Cindy’s ability to pay her living and medical expenses. CCLA attorney, Berbeth Foster, successfully argued that exempt Social Security Disability Income of $14,000 had accumulated in Cindy’s account. Foster also worked out an agreement with opposing counsel to release the $14,000 immediately... Read More

Tricia is a 68-year-old widow. She and her husband bought a home in 2002. In 2008, Tricia agreed to have her name removed from the deed to the home so her husband could qualify and obtain a reverse mortgage. The mortgage company assured her that she could easily be added back to the deed and to the reverse mortgage when she turned 62. However, when she contacted the mortgage company after turning 62, she was... Read More

Raquel was a nursing assistant when she got pregnant. Her doctor advised her not to lift anything over 5 pounds; however, her duties required her to care for more than forty patients daily and included heavier lifting. Although Raquel was able to work, her employer could not provide her with a job that did not include heavy lifting. Raquel had to leave the position and subsequently applied for unemployment benefits. The former employer objected, stating... Read More

Kristen Goss is a South Florida native and the managing partner of KWG Family Legal & Mediation Services, LLC. Her areas of focus include child support, timesharing, adoption, domestic violence, dependency, wills, trusts, probate, and guardianship. Ms. Goss is a Florida Supreme Court certified family mediator. She utilizes her mediating skills to ensure her clients reach an amicable resolution, and when children are involved, one that is in their best interest in hopes of fostering... Read More

Linda came to Legal Aid because her condominium association was refusing to waive mandatory cable fees for her family. According to Florida law, a household that receives SNAP benefits or Social Security is eligible for a waiver of the condominium basic bulk service costs.  Linda has a disabled son who receives disability and the family receives SNAP benefits, making her eligible for such a waiver. However, her condominium association refused to waive the fees and... Read More

Originally from the Philippines, Joanna dated an American citizen for many years before she agreed to marry him and move to the United States. He made many promises and assurances, and even helped her submit paperwork for a Green Card. After Joanna arrived in the United States, her husband denied access to the outside world and even limited her movement to certain rooms in the home. Eventually, Joanna was able to connect to resources at... Read More

Annabella Barboza, Esq. is a shareholder of Barboza Law & Associates, a boutique law firm dedicated to serving clients in the areas of real estate, probate, estate planning and business law. She is one of a select number of Florida attorneys who are Board Certified in Real Estate Law. In addition to her practice, Ms. Barboza is devoted to giving back to the legal profession and her community. She is actively involved with several local... Read More