Having a safe and stable family structure is fundamental to both community and individual health and economic well-being. Unless that basic need is met, Angelenos cannot enjoy the rights and privileges of residing in our great community. The Buhai Center is uniquely positioned to help clients and other members of our community secure safety and stability for themselves and their families. Our family law and domestic violence legal services and education empower clients to protect themselves and their children from abuse, secure housing and financial support, and strengthen their families. Learn more about the impact of our work here:

Protecting Survivors of Domestic Violence

81% of Buhai Center clients report experiencing domestic violence. By providing legal advocacy and education, we help ensure survivors don’t have to face their abusers alone or repeatedly recount their traumatic experiences in the family law system without expert support. Our services help them obtain protective orders, stabilize custody arrangements, secure housing, and access financial support, reducing immediate danger and economic dependence. Buhai Center staff and volunteers guide survivors through complex legal and social systems, giving them the support and confidence they need to rebuild their lives with safety, stability, and hope.

Promoting Well-Being and Health Equity

Domestic violence, housing insecurity, and financial abuse have documented negative consequences for physical and mental health. By protecting clients from violence, securing safe housing, and resolving legal barriers, our family law legal services and education aim to reduce these health risks and connect individuals to resources that promote well-being. Our work advances health equity by ensuring low-income and marginalized communities can access the safety, stability, and justice the family law system can offer, leading to better health outcomes for our community as a whole.

Preventing Homelessness

Over half of women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles cite domestic violence as a cause of losing their housing. Family law can be a crucial tool in preventing homelessness for these survivors and others in our community. By securing protective orders, enforcing custody and support arrangements, and resolving disputes over property or housing, we help clients maintain safe, stable homes. These legal interventions reduce the risk of displacement and homelessness for individuals and their children.

Advancing Economic Stability

Family law is a critical pathway to economic stability. By helping clients secure child support, spousal support, fair property and pension division, and access to benefits, we enable them to protect their financial rights and prevent economic hardship. These legal interventions reduce inequality, promote self-sufficiency, and provide a foundation for long-term financial security for our clients.

Strengthening Families and Children

Family law helps protect children and maintain safe, stable family environments. By resolving custody and visitation disputes, enforcing protective orders, securing child support, and addressing legal issues that affect children’s living situations, we protect them from experiencing or witnessing abuse and keep them housed and supported, helping to ensure their safety and well-being. These interventions provide families with stability, security, and the foundation for children’s healthy development and future success.

Empowering Through Education

Our workshops, clinics, and resources help individuals understand their rights and make informed decisions about their health. By equipping our community members with the family law and domestic violence knowledge and tools they need, we empower them to advocate for themselves and their families. Education is a force multiplier, expanding the impact of our legal services across the community.