About Community Counsel

Every adult — regardless of age, income, or background — needs an Advance Health Care Directive, Power of Attorney, and Will.

Talking about these decisions early is an act of courage and love. It gives families clarity during crisis, ensures a person’s wishes are honored, and allows people to age with dignity and autonomy.

Too often, families face unnecessary trauma because these documents were never completed. We prevent avoidable hardship by guiding individuals through these conversations and providing the legal support needed to put their wishes into writing.

Because planning ahead isn’t just paperwork — it’s protection, empowerment, and peace of mind.

When a young person with a developmental disability turns 18, families suddenly lose the legal authority to help with medical care, education, housing, and other important decisions.

A Limited Conservatorship is one option that can allow a trusted adult to support their loved one while preserving as much independence as possible.

We guide families through this complex court process with compassion and clarity. We help them assess whether a Limited Conservatorship is truly necessary or if alternatives are available.

Our goal is not to take away independence — it is to ensure individuals are protected, supported, and empowered to thrive because every person deserves safety, stability, and the opportunity to live with dignity.

 A home is more than property — it is security, history, and opportunity. We provide free legal services to help families preserve homeownership, including estate planning, untangling deed issues, clearing title, and addressing legal barriers that put housing at risk. 

By preventing displacement and protecting generational wealth, we help individuals remain in their homes and communities with stability and dignity. 

Access to housing and shelter must include people with disabilities. We fight for reasonable accommodations in housing and emergency shelter and defend the rights of unsheltered community members.

Through advocacy and litigation, we challenge unlawful barriers and ensure disability does not become a reason for exclusion, displacement, or unsafe conditions. Our work protects civil rights and affirms that dignity and equal treatment belong to everyone.

Probate can feel overwhelming for individuals navigating the court system on their own. In partnership with the Court’s Self-Help team, our Probate Note Clearing Workshops provide guidance to help participants understand examiner notes, complete required forms, and move their cases forward.

By combining education, hands-on support, and collaboration with the Court, we increase access to justice and help families resolve estates efficiently and with dignity.

 Every child deserves access to an education that meets their unique needs. We advocate for students with disabilities to ensure they receive appropriate services, accommodations, and support at school.

Through direct representation, collaboration with families, and when necessary, legal action, we work to remove barriers to learning. Our goal is simple: to help students succeed, stay in school, and build futures grounded in opportunity and dignity.