CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEW MEXICANS

A newly launched telephone service offers free legal assistance on civil matters to moderate income New Mexicans.

The Modest Means Helpline is the collaborative effort of the New Mexico Access to Justice Commission, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the State Bar of New Mexico and the State Bar Foundation. It operates from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Helpline can be reached at 505-797-6013 or 888-857-9935.

Two staff attorneys provide legal advice over the telephone and when more extensive legal assistance is required the Helpline can refer people to private attorneys across the state who have volunteered to provide free legal services to individuals in need.

New Mexicans with incomes from 200 percent to 500 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for legal assistance through the Helpline. The program also serves individuals who cannot be assisted by the New Mexico Legal Aid Volunteer Attorney Program because of a conflict of interest.

People who are ages 55 and older needing legal assistance should call the State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (505-707-6005 or 800-876-6657) rather than the Modest Means Helpline. The decades-old program has no income restrictions, and is a joint project of the Bar Foundation and the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department.