Charleston Legal Access

08/20/2026

📖 Stories that Shaped Us

A home should be safe to live in.

One Charleston Legal Access client signed a lease, only to discover serious mold and odor issues that made the apartment uninhabitable. The conditions were so severe that they damaged her furniture and forced her to live elsewhere.

No one should have to choose between their health and their housing, so CLA stepped in, drafting a demand letter and negotiating with the landlord. The result? Our client was able to break her lease and received a $5,000 settlement to help replace what had been lost.

Too often, renters don't realize they have legal options when a rental property is unsafe or fails to meet basic habitability standards. Knowing your rights can make all the difference.

Housing challenges are a growing concern in our community. Charleston County reports that more than 31,000 households are cost-burdened, and 24% of renter households spend more than half of their income on housing, leaving little room to recover when unexpected problems, like unsafe living conditions, arise.

Charleston Legal Access makes a difference, because everyone deserves a home that is safe, healthy, and livable.

08/16/2026

Seven years ago, Charleston Legal Access lost our founder, Sally Newman, but her vision continues to shape every client we serve and every barrier we help remove.

📖 Going through impactful client stories a few weeks ago, we came across one that was entered by Sally back in 2017. A client came to Charleston Legal Access after the death of her husband. Although she was his lawful surviving spouse, an error on his death certificate prevented her from accessing the retirement benefits she was entitled to receive. Sally guided her through Probate Court, where the death certificate was amended to correctly recognize her as the surviving spouse, opening the door to the financial security her husband intended for her.

For Sally, it wasn't just about correcting a document. It was about protecting a family's future. It was a mindset she lived by to help CLA become what it is today.

That same commitment lives on through our team. Every day, we help Lowcountry families navigate complex legal challenges with affordable, high-quality representation because Sally believed justice should never depend on what someone can afford.

On the seventh anniversary of her passing, we remember Sally with gratitude, and we honor her by continuing the work she started. 💙

If you'd like to make a donation in Sally's memory today, please visit charlestonlegalaccess.org/donate.

08/14/2026

📖 Stories that Shaped Us

Legal issues rarely happen one at a time.

One Charleston Legal Access client came to us seeking to protect his retirement pension after his divorce. After successfully modifying the court order governing his pension benefits, his former spouse appealed the decision and filed a separate action seeking to increase alimony that had been unchanged for years.

When one legal issue becomes two, we're here to help clients move forward. Rather than fighting two lengthy court battles, CLA helped negotiate a global settlement that resolved both disputes. The appeal was dismissed, the client's pension was protected, and his alimony obligation was permanently settled, giving him the certainty to move forward.

Sometimes the best legal victory is resolving every issue at once. When legal challenges multiply, Charleston Legal Access will be on your side.

08/11/2026

What does housing court really teach you?

Emma Leipman, one of Charleston Legal Access' summer housing fellows from Charleston School of Law, saw firsthand over the past few months that housing law is about much more than statutes and courtrooms. It’s about people, stability, and access to justice.

“Housing court taught me to pay attention not only to the legal issue on the page, but also to the person sitting at the counsel table...it taught me that preparation matters, clear communication matters, and small acts of guidance can make a significant difference.”

Read Emma's reflections on the fast-paced reality of housing court and the three lessons she will carry forward. http://www.charlestonlegalaccess.org/blog/summer-in-housing-court

08/11/2026

Interested in learning how to represent yourself in a simple divorce action? Join the SCLS Pro Se Divorce Clinic in Charleston on Tuesday, August 18 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT.

To register, call 843-720-7044 or 843-266-2160 and ask to speak with the receptionist.

Eligibility requirements:
✔ Separated for at least one year
✔ No minor children
✔ No marital debts to divide

Learn more: https://sclegal.org/event/scls-pro-se-divorce-clinic-charleston-aug-18-2026/

08/11/2026

08/10/2026

$91,344. That's the Household Survival Budget for a family of four in the Tri-County.

That does not include birthdays, school field trips, a family vacation, emergency savings or many of the everyday moments and unexpected expenses that are part of life. It covers only the essentials: housing, child care, food, transportation, health care and technology.

When a household earns less than that amount, it falls below the ALICE® Threshold. And in the Tri-County, that is the reality for 37% of households.

That number should stop us in our tracks. And while awareness is where the work begins, it cannot be where it ends.

Visit TUW.org/ALICE to learn more about Trident United Way and our work to uplift 15,000 families out of poverty by 2035.

Because when more than one in three of our neighbors cannot afford the basics, it doesn't just affect one of us, it affects all of us.

08/07/2026

We're honored to support the inaugural meeting and networking reception of the South Carolina Hispanic & Latino Bar Association.

Congratulations to everyone whose vision and hard work helped make this historic event possible. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone and the opportunities it creates to strengthen and support the Hispanic and Latino legal community across South Carolina.

We hope to see you there!

📅 Friday, August 14, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
📍 Ciudad Bonita
1063 E. Montague Ave. North Charleston, SC 29405

To RSVP and learn more, visit LosAbogadosSC.com.

Dirk Derrick, 7410 Northside Dr, Ste 100 North Charleston, SC 29420.

08/06/2026

📖 Stories that Shaped Us

When Debra stepped up to care for her newborn great-grandchildren during a family crisis, she gave them love, safety, and stability. But protecting their future required navigating a legal system that felt overwhelming to face alone.

That's where Charleston Legal Access, in partnership with HALOS came in.

Debra's story is a reminder that a legal issue is often much more than paperwork or a court date. It's about keeping families together, protecting children, and giving people the opportunity to move forward with dignity.

Every day, Charleston Legal Access helps Lowcountry families facing life-changing legal challenges access the quality representation they deserve, regardless of their income.

💙 Read Debra's full story and see why this work matters: https://www.charlestonlegalaccess.org/blog/debra