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Client Stories

LSE Helps Woman Threatened with Loss of Her Home and Violent Attacker

Doris, a 68-year old woman, lived in a small house in an isolated area of Maine and had very little income. She survived a violent crime several years ago and the offender was sentenced to prison. During Doris's recovery, a friend persuaded her to add the friend's name to the title of Doris's house. The friend took out a large loan, using the house as collateral, but soon stopped making the monthly payments. The lender was prepared to foreclose, and Doris contacted LSE for assistance.

LSE first assisted Doris in obtaining general assistance for food and heating oil. At LSE's request, the lender postponed the foreclosure, allowing LSE to help Doris sell her home and recover the equity value. Because Doris's attacker was being released from prison, LSE helped Doris relocate and assisted her with moving arrangements and setting up supportive medical and social services in her new community. Doris loves her new home, has made many new friends and feels very safe.

LSE Wins Appeal and Keeps Home Health Care Services

Francis, a 78-year old man, was in poor health and had trouble walking. For several years he received care services four days a week, paid for by the State, in his home. During a routine review, a nurse assessor determined that Francis's services should be reduced significantly, even though his condition had not improved. The home health aide who helped Francis in his home encouraged him to call LSE for legal assistance.

LSE appealed the nurse assessor's plan to reduce Francis's care services and represented him at an administrative hearing held by the State. Francis did not have to attend the hearing, and his home health aide testified by phone, telling the judge how much help Francis needs. The judge decided that Francis's services should not be reduced. Francis continues to live in his home with the same caregiver assisting him.

LSE Helps Change Control of Finances and Recover Stolen Money from Dishonest Son

Mary, a 75-year old widow, owned a home on several acres. She receives Social Security but did not have enough money to buy food and heating oil. Though she has several children, one son who lives near her handled her money. Mary's daughters who live in northern Maine visited her mid-winter and discovered that Mary was unable to heat her house and had no food in her home. Mary told her daughters during their visit that her son was planning to sell her house. They encouraged Mary to call LSE for assistance.

LSE reviewed Mary's financial records and discovered that her son was giving her only a portion of her Social Security benefits and that he had stolen over $100,000 from her over several years. LSE recovered some of her money and also helped Mary appoint her two daughters jointly to handle her finances, with court supervision, so that the court must approve any sale of Mary's property. Mary continues to live in her home and has adequate money to pay her living costs.