Resource guide helps navigate COVID-19 legal hurdles.
Small business help: Vinson & Elkins and the city of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity with several other local law firms are offering one hour of free legal advice to small businesses in Houston. Through phone consultations they will offer advice on loan and grant relief programs, taxes, commercial leases, contracts, employment, intellectual property and other pandemicrelated general business issues. Small businesses, self-employed entrepreneurs and nonprofits are all eligible. First fill out a form at houstontx.gov/obo/free-legalassstance.html and email it to obolegalservices@houstontx.gov. Consejos Legales: The MexicanAmerican Bar Association of Houston, Hispanic Bar Association of Houston and Houston Bar Association will again hold Consejos Legales helping Spanishspeaking residents with general legal questions or COVID-19 inquiries, including unemployment and eviction from 6-8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Choose a time slot at HBA.org/LegalLine to register in advance. For information call 713-759-1133.
Houston Bar Association: The HBA’s free LegalLine will answer legal questions — general or COVID-19 related — 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays through May 27. Go to hba.org/legalline to sign up for a time slot or call 713-759-1133. Calls are limited to 20 minutes. For immigration questions, call 833-468-4664 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Writing wills: Houston Volunteer Lawyers have developed a free guide to help people create a handwritten, or “holographic,” will. After you write your will, store it in a safe place and let your appointed executor know where it is. Later, consult an attorney to confirm that it is complete. For the free guide and information on virtual legal clinics, visit makejusticehappen.org or call 713-228-0735.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers: Volunteer attorneys will give legal advice over the phone for those who submit an application and are eligible for its pro bono services. The advice interviews are 2-5 p.m. on Fridays through May 2020. Apply online at makejusticehappen.org/