Divorce and Parenting Mediation in Montana

The Montana Family Transition Project is a mediation program that offers you the chance to decide what’s next for your family, instead of going to court and having a judge decide. The program is free to families who are eligible. A trained professional mediator will help you and your co-parent talk through the issues and …

National Health Center Week

This week is National Health Center Week (NHCW)! NHCW gives us a chance to recognize the dedication of Community Health Center teams. Did you know MLSA works with Community Health Centers in Montana to offer free legal help? Since 2015, MLSA’s Montana Health Justice Partnership (MHJP) has connected low-income patients facing health-harming legal problems with …

HelpLine Pause 2024

Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) is taking a brief pause on accepting new applications from July 29th through August 11th. We will return to business as usual on August 12th. MLSA has always aimed to respond to applicants in a timely manner. However, the need for free legal help has grown, and as a result …

How to Serve Divorce Papers in Montana

Do you know how to serve divorce papers? To start a court case for divorce, you file a Petition and a Summons with the court. Then you have to serve your spouse with the Petition and Summons. One of the questions we frequently get is “but how do I serve my divorce papers?” To answer …

I Have Mold in My Rental Unit

Frequently Asked Question: I have mold in my home and my landlord isn’t fixing it. What can I do? Answer: You have rights. Your landlord must make repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the rental in a fit and habitable condition. If your landlord does not make necessary repairs, you have …

Do you know how to protect your security deposit?

When you move out, it’s a good idea to clean the unit, keep a copy of the condition report, and give your landlord your new address. There are steps you can take if your landlord refuses to return your security deposit. The first step is to send your landlord a letter asking for your deposit …

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Do you know the warning signs of elder abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation? -Being without necessary food or medical care. -Being prevented from seeing friends or family. -Feeling concerned about something you were convinced to purchase that you do not really need or want. -Feeling uneasy about how someone handles your money. -Feeling uncomfortable about how …

Partner Spotlight: Misdemeanor Expungement Support for Survivors

Learn about a project dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence clear misdemeanor convictions from their records. Outside the world of advocacy and shelter programs like The Friendship Center, our advocates have probably all had the experience of being thanked when they describe the work they do. In those same conversations, they’ve likely also gone …

Free Fishing

Father’s Day is coming up, which means free fishing! By Montana law, each year on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day weekends any person (resident or nonresident) may fish within the state without a fishing license. You can find the 2024 Montana Fishing Regulations online or at a local sporting goods store. Montana Legal Services Association …