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School Expulsion or Suspension

Suspensions and/or expulsions are a form of school discipline. School discipline is a required set of actions by a district towards a student (or a group of students) after their behavior disrupts the ongoing educational activity or breaks a pre-established rule created by the school system. This is based upon…

Issues & Rights

Student & Children’s Rights

Section 8 Housing – Project Based

Families of Project-Based Section 8 housing live in apartments owned by churches and other non-profits, as well as for-profit corporations and partnerships. These apartments are called “project-based” because the subsidy stays with the unit, not the family. So, when a family moves out, they lose the subsidy. Families apply directly…

Family & Personal

Housing

Security Deposit on Rental Homes

Under Florida Statute 83.43(14), “security deposit” is defined as: “any moneys held by the landlord as security for the performance of the rental agreement, including, but not limited to, monetary damage to the landlord caused by the tenant’s breach of lease prior to the expiration thereof.” The security deposit is money that…

Family & Personal

Housing

Self File for Divorce – Video Guide

The following information is meant to assist those who want to self-file for Divorce, also known as a “Dissolution of Marriage.” The information below is broken down into 7 sections, including the Introduction and the Closing. We encourage everyone to review the sections labeled “Introduction,” “Part 1,” “Part 5,” and “Closing.”…

Shared Property without Marriage

This page is about your legal rights and responsibilities when you share property with someone who is not your spouse. This is called co-ownership, or joint tenancy. A person who co-owns property with someone is called a Joint Tenant. This information may be helpful for you to understand if you separate…

Family & Personal

Wills, Estates, & Powers of Attorney

Small Claims Court

A small claims case is a legal action filed in county court to settle minor legal disputes among parties where the dollar amount involved is $8,000 or less. This amount excludes expenses associated with the case, such as costs, interest, and attorneys’ fees. 

Issues & Rights

Fraud & Unfair Agreements

Social Security Benefits

Social Security benefits are paid to support people who are disabled (including children), people who have retired, survivors of workers who have died, and dependents of beneficiaries. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has several different programs depending on which of these categories you may fit into. Social Security Disability Insurance…

Financial Matters

Public Benefits

Starting a Business

A for-profit business is established for the purpose of making a profit for its owners or investors. The most common types of business structures are corporations, limited liability companies (also known as LLCs), sole proprietorships, and partnerships. The structure of the business determines how income from your business is taxed,…

Financial Matters

Starting a Business

Starting a Non-profit

Starting a non-profit is a way to help others and serve the community. In a “corporation not for profit,” the primary goal of the corporation is to benefit the community, not to make a profit. This does not mean non-profits cannot make money. Instead, the money that is made is…

Financial Matters

Starting a Business

Student & Children’s Rights

The mission and tradition of the Children’s Rights Unit of Community Legal Services (CLS) is to provide equal access and opportunity to all children in the State of Florida, especially those discriminated against due to their disabilities, race, nationality, gender or LGBTQ status. To fulfill our mission, CLS provides legal…

Issues & Rights

Student & Children’s Rights