One Woman’s “Dream Team” — How Lawyers from the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law Prevented One Woman from Becoming Homeless
After marrying her high school sweetheart and raising 2 children with him, Betsy* was devastated when their 28 year marriage finally fell apart and her income plummeted. She lost her job and her unemployment benefits were used up. Swallowing her pride, she was forced to depend on the kindness of her adult daughter to survive. Betsy’s husband, now living in another state, had no intention of sharing his community property pension with her.
At 52 years of age, facing a bleak economic future, Betsy came to the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law scared that she would be homeless. With help from the Center’s staff and volunteers, including Linda Morra, a lawyer specializing in pensions, Betsy was able to secure her interest in her husband’s retirement fund, plus $35,000 owed to her paid in increments added to the monthly pension installment payments. She also received a one-time sum of over $20,000 for monies previously held by the employer’s plan.
No longer facing the specter of poverty, Betsy left the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law with her head held high and her dignity restored. After her case was closed, Betsy wrote a letter of thanks, calling the Center lawyers and volunteers her “dream team.”
*Name has been changed to protect our client.