1. Statewide Legal Aid Organizations
- Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA)
- Provides free civil legal aid statewide (housing, family law, public benefits, consumer rights, Native American law).
- Website: mtlsa.org
- Phone: 1-800-666-6899 (Statewide Hotline)
- ACLU of Montana
- Focuses on civil rights cases (discrimination, voting rights, free speech).
- Website: aclumontana.org
- Phone: 1-406-443-8590
- Montana Immigrant Justice Project
- Legal support for immigrants and refugees.
- Website: mtijp.org
- Phone: 1-406-219-4325
2. Directories & Search Tools
- LawHelp Montana
- Search for legal aid by topic or county: lawhelp.org/montana.
- State Bar of Montana Lawyer Referral Service
- Low-cost consultations: montanabar.org.
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Directory
- Federally funded programs in Montana: lsc.gov/find-legal-aid (includes MLSA).
- Montana Courts Self-Help Center
- Guides, forms, and referrals: courts.mt.gov/self-help.
3. Hotlines
- MLSA Statewide Hotline: 1-800-666-6899
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-219-7334 (Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence).
- Senior Legal Hotline: 1-800-666-6899 (via MLSA for residents 60+).
- Native American Legal Hotline: Contact MLSA’s Native American Outreach Program for tribal communities.
4. Additional Resources
- 211 Montana: Dial 211 or visit montana211.org for community referrals.
- Pro Bono Programs:
- MLSA Pro Bono Panel: mtlsa.org/pro-bono (volunteer attorneys for low-income Montanans).
- University of Montana Legal Clinics: Free services in family law, tax, and Indian law: umontana.edu/law/clinics.
- Self-Help Centers:
- Missoula Self-Help Law Center: selfhelp.mt.gov.
- Yellowstone County Self-Help Center: yellowstonecounty.us.
- Immigrant & Refugee Resources:
- Native American Legal Aid:
- MLSA Tribal Outreach: Specialized services for tribal members (e.g., Blackfeet, Crow, Northern Cheyenne).
- Tribal Courts: Contact local tribal governments (e.g., Fort Peck Tribes, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes).
- Veterans’ Legal Assistance:
- Montana Veterans Legal Assistance Project: Contact MLSA or local VA offices.
Note
Eligibility for free legal aid often depends on income, residency, and case type (e.g., eviction, domestic violence, public benefits). Many offices offer online intake forms (e.g., MLSA Apply Online). For urgent issues (e.g., eviction, restraining orders), contact hotlines first. Tribal members should reach out to MLSA’s Native American Unit or their tribal court for specialized support. Let me know if you need help narrowing options!
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