Updated 2007
The Law and Aging Guide is a comprehensive listing of the state-wide resources available to help older persons with law-related issues. Published by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Guide includes important contact numbers and addresses for legal assistance providers and other law-related services for the elderly. Many states now have toll-free senior legal hotlines. If you are an older person (or family member or trusted friend of an older person) who needs legal advice or assistance, the first step is to see if your state has a hotline, and, if it does, to call the hotline listed below.
[Note: If you are legal services provider or entity listed below, please email any changes of address or information to the ABA Commission at abaelderly@abanet.org , attn: Law and Aging Guide.]
Montana
A. Senior Legal Hotline: (800) 999-4941 or (800) 926-3144
B. Legal Services Developer
John McCrea
MT Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Seniors and Long-term Care
111 N. Sanders, Rm. 210
P.O. Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604-4210
(406) 444-7783; fax (406) 444-7743
The Montana Legal Guide is available on the Web at http://www.dphhs.state.mt.us/sltc. Select "Publications" and scroll down to "Legal Guide."
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Kelly Moorse
Montana Department of Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 4210
111 North Sanders
Helena, MT 59604-4210
(800) 551-3191; fax (406) 444-7743
D. Legal Services Funded Under the Older Americans Act
If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to get legal help from the Legal Services or Legal Aid program in your area. In some communities, the Older Americans Act program serving older people and the legal aid program are one and the same. For a state-by-state listing of Legal Services programs, go to http://www.lsc.gov/
Area I Action for Eastern Montana
Action for Eastern Montana
PO Box 1309
Glendive, MT 59330
(406) 377-3564; (800) 227-0703
Serves Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux and Fort Peck Reservation
Area II Agency on Aging
PO Box 127
1502 4th. Street West
Roundup, MT 59072
(406) 323-1320
Web: www.imt.net/~gedison/area.html
Serves Big Horn, Carbon, Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, Yellowstone, Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations
Area III North Central AAA
(406) 278-5662
Serves Blaine, Chouteau, Glacier, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, Toole, Blackfeet and Fort Belknap Reservations
Area IV Agency on Aging
(406) 447-1680
Serves Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Meagher and Park
Area V Agency on Aging
(406)563-3110
Serves Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell and Silver Bow
Area VI Western Mt AAA
(406)883-7284
Serves Lake, Lincoln, Mineral and Sanders and Salish/ Kootnai Reservation
Area VIII Agency on Aging
(406)454-6990
Serves Cascade
Area IX Agency on Aging
(406)758-5730 ext.322
Serves Flathead
Area X Agency on Aging
(406)265-5464
Serves Hill and Rocky Boy Reservation
Area XI Agency on Aging
(406)728-7682
Serves Missoula and Ravalli
E. Bar Committees/Sections
State Bar of Montana
John S. Carty, Chair
Elderly Assistance Committee
P.O. Box 577
Helena, MT 59624
(406) 442-7660; fax (406) 442-7763
Web: mailbox@montanabar.org
The committee sponsors Continuing Legal Education seminars on Legal Issues of the Elderly and conducts an outreach program through Senior Citizen Centers.
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Montana Chapter
None listed
G. Legal Assistance Projects Involving Private Attorneys
Many communities are also served by volunteer lawyer (pro bono) programs. These programs are usually sponsored by bar associations. Lawyers in private practice volunteer to help low-income persons free of charge. To find the pro bono program in your state, click on http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/probonodirectory.html
None listed
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
University of Montana
School of Law
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243- 4311
Web: http://www.umt.edu/law
I. Attorney General's Office
Mike McGrath, Attorney General
Justice Bldg.
215 N. Sanders
Helena, MT 59620-1401
(406) 444-2026
Web: http://www.doj.state.mt.us/default.asp
The Attorney General's office does not have a separate unit addressing elderly issues. The office provides information and referral. Community education is offered on topics such as consumer fraud through speakers.
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Montana Advocacy Program
400 N. Park, 2nd Fl.
P.O. Box 1681
Helena, MT 59624
(406) 449-2344; (800) 245-4743; fax (406) 449-2418
K. Dispute Resolution
Montana Consensus Council
Office of the Governor
State Capitol Bldg.
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-2075
Matthew McKinney, director
Dispute Resolution Center of Central Montana
P.O. Box 8081
Bozeman, MT 59773
(406) 522-8442
Louise R. Forrest, coordinator
Community Dispute Resolution Center of Missoula County
P.O. Box 159
Missoula, MT 59806
(406) 543-1157
The Community Dispute Resolution Center of Missoula County is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The center-established in 1995-provides mediation and conflict resolution services, as well as conflict education in Missoula and surrounding areas. Through referrals from both city and county organizations-including the Justice and Youth Court-the center's 40 some trained volunteers mediate disputes at minimal or no cost. The center mediates a wide array of conflict types, including: neighborhood, landlord/tenant, family, parenting plans, victim/offender, small claims, consumer/merchant and commercial.
Montana State Bar
Dispute Resolution Committee
P.O. Box 535
Helena, MT 59624
L. Other Projects and Activities
None listed
