Our attorneys understand your needs as LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, including those in our community affected by HIV.
Need Legal Support?
Free comprehensive legal intakes
Advice and counsel on issues of orders of protection
Advice and counsel on issues of child support and child custody
Advice and counsel on issues of legal separation, divorce or dissolution
Advice and counsel on issues of immigration matters
Advice and counsel on issues of housing matters
Advice and counsel on issues of name change
Advice and counsel on issues of complaining witnesses in criminal court
Need An Appointment?
- Call our 24-Hour Hotline at 212-714-1141: During business hours, you will speak directly with a Counselor/Advocate who will conduct a brief intake and forward your information and legal concerns to the Legal Services Department who will then schedule an in-person comprehensive free legal intake. Legal appointments are usually made within one week, and faster in emergency cases.
- Current AVP Clients: For those already working with a Counselor/Advocate, simply tell them you are interested in speaking with the Legal Service Department and your Counselor/Advocate will make a direct referral.
Legal Advice Available
Immigration Law Matters
General immigration assessment: Are you unsure what your current immigration status or options are? You can schedule a consultation to discuss whether you qualify for any of the immigration reliefs listed below. The consultation can also address questions related to deportation and ICE safety planning.
VAWA Self-Petitions: Undocumented LGBTQ+ survivors of intimate partner violence, including those in our community affected by HIV, who are married to a United States Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident and have experienced intimate partner violence may be eligible for immigration relief.
U-Visa: Survivors of an enumerated list of crimes, which includes intimate partner violence, may be eligible for immigration relief.
Asylum: Undocumented LGBTQ+ community members, including those affected by HIV, who are afraid to return to their country of origin because of violence and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status may be eligible for immigration relief
T-Visa: Survivors human trafficking (forced labor and/or sex work), may be eligible for immigration relief.
Family Law Matters
Orders of Protection: For community members experiencing intimate partner violence, we provide advice and consultation on how to obtain an Order of Protection in Family Court.
Custody and Visitation: Our legal team provides advice and consultation in Family Court for LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, including those in our community affected by HIV, with custody and/or visitation concerns.
Child and Spousal Support: Our legal team provides advice and consultation in Family Court LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, including those in our community affected by HIV, with child support or spousal support concerns.
Uncontested Divorce: Our legal team provides advice and consultation in Supreme Court for LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, including those in our community affected by HIV, who are seeking an uncontested divorce from their spouse.
Dissolution: Our Legal Team provides advice and consultation with the dissolution of other types of relationships, including Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships.
Housing Law Matters
Eviction Proceedings: Advice and consultation on non-payment and holdover proceedings in Housing Court.
Neighbor Harassment: Advice and consultation on advocacy with landlords and on HP Actions in Housing Court.
Name Change and Identity Documents
Legal Name Change: Advice and consultation for those who want to legally change their name in Civil Court.
Identity Document Correction: Advice and consultation with community members in updating their identity documents (NYS ID, Social Security Cards, Passport, Birth Certificates, etc.) to reflect their true gender.
Criminal Law
Criminal Defense: Currently, AVP does not provide criminal defense services. We do, however, advice community members who believe they were wrongfully arrested and advocate on their behalf.
LGBTQ+ survivors of crime (hate crime, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, etc.), including those in our community affected by HIV, may receive representation as complaining witnesses in Criminal Court. This free legal representation includes advocating with the NYPD, the District Attorney’s office, assisting in the preparation to testify and assisting in writing Crime Victim Impact Statements.
The contents of this website are intended to provide general information only and not to provide legal advice or opinions. The contents of this website, the posting and viewing of the information provided should not be relied upon for legal advice. The information presented on this website may not reflect the most current legal developments as law affecting LGBTQ and HIV-affected individuals is in constant flux. An appointment with AVP’s Legal Team should be made for any advice on specific legal issues.