Updated March 2024
New Mexico Legal Aid and Law Help New Mexico
There are agencies in New Mexico that can assist you in navigating through such things as evictions, foreclosures, bankruptcy and family law matters.
New Mexico Legal Aid provides free services to eligible low-income New Mexico residents with civil (non-criminal) matters. You can call them at 833-LGL-HELP (1-833-545-4357). You can also get information from them online at LawHelpNewMexico.org.
New Mexico Legal Aid has another phone number specifically for cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking: 1-877-974-3400. This team can also be reached at helpline@nmlegalaid.org.
Law Help New Mexico offers on going virtual and in-person clinics on a variety of topics including family law, housing, and taxes at https://www.lawhelpnewmexico.org/resources?tab=events
American Bar Association Free Legal Answers
The American Bar Association has set up a website where you can register to ask civil legal questions and receive answers. Go to nm.freelegalanswers.org and click Get Started to determine if your situation qualifies and register to ask questions.
New Mexico Courts Self-Help
The New Mexico Courts website has a self-help section here: https://selfrepresentation.nmcourts.gov/
New Mexico State Bar Foundation
Modest Means Helpline is a civil legal telephone helpline and attorney referral service of the New Mexico State Bar Foundation. The Modest Means Helpline assists New Mexico residents with incomes below 500%* of the federal poverty guidelines. The Modest Means Helpline can assist in civil legal matters including but not limited to domestic relations (divorce, child custody, kinship guardianship, domestic violence), landlord/tenant, small business issues, consumer, and probate.
The Modest Means Helpline’s staff attorneys provide legal advice by phone and, if appropriate, may refer the case to pro bono attorneys for representation ranging from legal advice to limited or full representation. Those interested may reach the Modest Means Helpline at 505-797-6013 or 888-857-9935, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Los abogados del personal de la Línea de ayuda para medios modestos brindan asesoramiento legal por teléfono y si se corresponde, pueden remitir el caso a abogados pro-bono para una representación que va desde asesoramiento legal hasta representación limitada o total. Los interesados pueden comunicarse con la Línea de ayuda para medios modestos al 505-797-6013 o al 888-857-9935, de lunes a viernes entre las 8 a.m. y las 4 p.m.
Seniors: The New Mexico Legal Resources for the Elderly program (LREP) helps New Mexicans age 55 and older. Call 1-800-876-6657.
Visit the State Bar of New Mexico LREP web page for informational videos.
The State Bar of New Mexico offers a variety of legal workshops in addition to the Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (see above). View workshops here: https://www.sbnm.org/For-Public/Workshop-Legal-Clinics . The State Bar can be reached by phone at 1-800-876-6227. You can also search the State Bar directory here: https://www.sbnm.org/For-Public/I-Need-a-Lawyer/Online-Bar-Directory
Military and Veterans
ABA Home Front provides legal information, resources, and a directory of legal programs for veterans, service members, and military families. Programs listed include military legal assistance offices, legal aid and pro bono organizations, lawyer referral and information services, and military-specific programs where available. Visit www.abahomefront.org.
The ABA Military Pro Bono Project accepts case referrals from military attorneys on behalf of junior-enlisted, active-duty military personnel facing civil legal issues, and it works to place these cases with pro bono attorneys. Visit www.militaryprobono.org.
If you have any questions about the above information, you can call the Silver City Public Library at 575-538-3672.