An Administrative Review is the first step of the Fair Hearing Process. It is an informal phone call where you can talk to someone from the Office of Public Assistance (OPA) about your case before the Fair Hearing happens. It’s a chance for you to explain why you think there was a mistake with your …
If you are at least 16, emancipation is a way for you to be treated like a legal adult before you turn 18. When you are emancipated, you are free to act on your own and your parents or guardian is no longer responsible to support you. If you are considering emancipation, it is important …
Do you have questions about representing yourself in court? If you do not have an attorney, representing yourself in court is called “proceeding pro se” and you are called a “pro se litigant.” We have a resource answering the questions we hear most often from folks preparing to represent themselves. Learn how to plan for …
The Montana Property Tax Rebate is a rebate of up to $675 a year of property taxes paid on your primary residence for the 2023 tax year. To qualify, you must have: -owned and lived in a Montana residence for at least seven months in 2023; -had property taxes, including special assessments and other fees, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
