Legal Aid
Find out more about legal services that may be right for you
The Process of AVDA’s Legal Advocacy Programs
Client Intake
Advocates meet with clients to document instances of abuse, explain victims’ rights, and provide safety planning and referrals.
Trauma Counseling
Clients and/or their children may receive free counseling at any point during the process.
Paralegal Assists Client
Paralegals provide support, gather evidence, and continue safety planning throughout the legal process.
Attorney Prepares Case & Client
Attorneys meet with clients to prepare cases for court; provide legal advice; encourage safety planning and counseling; and offer other assistance, including emergency financial assistance and the AVDA Education Fund.
Attorney & Client Go To Court
Attorneys accompany clients to court and represent them for protective orders, divorce, custody, and adoption cases. They explain the outcome and follow up with any next steps.
AVDA is here to help.
We understand the challenges that survivors of abuse face. Our nine staff attorney/paralegal teams provide legal representation in family law matters to victims of domestic violence in Austin, Grimes, Harris, Fort Bend, Waller and Washington counties. Our no or low cost services include:
- RLegal representation for protective orders, divorce, child support, child custody and adoption
- RDevelopment of an individual Safety and Self-Sufficiency Plan that identifies different options and resources to address emotional, physical, financial and legal risks/concerns
- RReferrals for emergency food, shelter, medical care, counseling and other social-service needs
- RClient financial assistance for emergency shelter, food, transportation and more
- RFunds for education and training for clients
- RAdvocacy with police, prosecutors and the courts
- RInformation about her/his rights under the Texas Family Code and insight into how the family courts work
- RInformation about her/his rights and options regarding criminal law and guidance as to how the criminal justice system operates
- RAssistance in completing Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund application
- RIndividual and group counseling for the survivor and her/his children (Harris County only)
Our client advocates are sitting by to take your call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or you may request a call-back through our online request for services. If you leave a message, please let us know the safest time to call back.
For Austin, Grimes, Waller and Washington counties, call (979) 826-3290, ext. 219.
For Fort Bend County, call (281) 207-2312.
For Harris County, call (713) 224-9911.
Eligibility Criteria
Most of AVDA’s clients have income that qualifies them for traditional legal aid. AVDA’s Expanded Legal Services Program consists of a “working poor” legal team, dedicated to serving victims who earn too much to qualify for traditional legal aid, yet too little to afford a quality, trauma-informed attorney. Clients who are served by the Expanded Legal Services Program will be asked to help pay court costs and fees, but will not be charged for representation. It is AVDA’s intent that no victim is kept from quality legal services simply because of the inability to pay.
In general, clients must meet the following criteria to be eligible for services, but are encouraged to call AVDA and speak with an advocate to ensure eligibility:
- RThe individual has experienced a pattern of physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse by his/her partner in the past few years and/or has minor children who have been physically/sexually abused by the intimate partner.
- RTexas law requires that, in filing for a divorce, one of the parties must have (1) resided in Texas for six months AND (2) in the county where the action is filed for the preceding three months before filing. AVDA represents only Austin, Grimes, Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, and Washington county residents and/or abuse victims whose partners meet these residency requirements. AVDA’s legal services are available to all residents of these counties without regard to citizenship status.
- RApplicants for services must know where the respondent lives and works or be able to obtain this information, so that the respondent can be notified in person of the pending legal action.
- RProtective Orders are available regardless of income level.
Our client advocates are sitting by to take your call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or you may request a call-back through our online request for services. If you leave a message, please let us know the safest time to call back.
For Austin, Grimes, Waller and Washington counties, call (979) 826-3290, ext. 219.
For Fort Bend County, call (281) 207-2312.
For Harris County, call (713) 224-9911.
How to Stay Safe
Protect yourself & plan ahead for your safety
Always have a plan to keep yourself safe. Overcoming domestic violence is about control. Victims are often kept financially dependent on the abuser and isolated from family and friends. Leaving a domestic violence situation safely takes planning and preparation. It is important to involve your children and rehearse safety procedures with them. Alert school officials and trusted family and friends. Think about what documents, financial resources, and personal items you will need. Where will you stay?
AVDA strongly urges you to explore Protective Orders and other legal ways of insuring your physical safety, financial well-being, and the protection of your children. Call AVDA for assistance with safety planning, as well as information about filing charges and the criminal justice system; about divorce and child custody/child support; and referrals for shelter, counseling, and other services.
