Legal Services
New Mexico Legal Services
We help fund some organizations that provide advocacy and legal representation to assist older adults with greatest economic or social needs in securing and maintaining government benefits, housing, health care, basic human rights, consumer protection and domestic relation protection. Services range from brief telephone consultation to legal representation.
Do you need help? One of the organizations below may be able to help you.
Pegasus Legal Services for Children
Pegasus Legal Services for Children is a non-profit agency that provides civil legal services to children, youth, and their caregivers. They can help you seek guardianship of a child who is in your care (kinship guardianship). Visit their website or call their office in Albuquerque at 505-244-1101.
The Legal Resources for the Elderly Program
The Legal Resources for the Elderly Program of the New Mexico State Bar Association provides negotiated-fee or free legal assistance to New Mexicans ages 55 and older. (Services are not available for criminal defense.) You can visit their website or call toll free at 800-876-6657.
The New Mexico State Bar Association
The New Mexico State Bar Association also publishes the Senior Legal Handbook in both English and Spanish, which informs seniors of their legal rights in a variety of situations and of resources available to enforce those rights. You can access these handbooks by clicking below.
The Senior Citizens Law Office
The Senior Citizens Law Office provides free legal advice and representation to Bernalillo County seniors age 60 and over on healthcare, public benefits, advance directives, consumer rights and other issues such as estate planning, wills, transfer on death, POA’s, affidavits and simple probate’s. Visit their website, or call their office in Albuquerque at 505-265-2300.
New Mexico Legal Aid
New Mexico Legal Aid is a civil legal advocacy organization dedicated to opening the door to equal access to justice for all disenfranchised and low-income people and communities throughout New Mexico by providing outreach, training, education, and quality representation. Visit their website or call Central Administration at 833-545-4357.
DNA People’s Legal Services
DNA People’s Legal Services provides free legal aid, advice and court representation to low-income persons living on or near the reservation they serve. To find out more about DNA’s service area and how to apply for legal help, visit the link below.
The New Mexico Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The New Mexico Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for the recognition, respect and enforcement of the civil and human rights of residents of long-term care facilities in New Mexico; call 866-451-2901. If you need more information on services such as health care, transportation, assisted and independent living centers, legal assistance and home delivered meals; visit the Network of Care website or call toll free in New Mexico at 800-432-2080.
Disability Rights New Mexico
Disability Rights New Mexico promotes and protects the legal rights of persons with disabilities by providing services such as information and referral, client advocacy, group advocacy, and training on legal rights issues. Visit their website for a full description of their organization and services, or by calling 800-432-4682.
The New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Planning Council’s
The New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Planning Council’s Office of Guardianship provides a statewide publicly-funded guardianship services program for “guardians of last resort” to incapacitated income- and resource-eligible adults. They also provide Mental Health Treatment Guardians for appointment by the courts. They can petition for appointment of a guardian and pay for a “corporate guardian” for people who are eligible. Their website includes forms you can use for powers of attorney and advance health-care directives. Visit their website or call toll free 800-779-6183.