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.]
New Mexico
A. Law Access New Mexico; Legal Hotline: (800) 340-9771
Lawyer Referral for the Elderly Program: (800) 876-6657
B. Legal Services Developer
Jack Mack
NM Aging and Long Term Services Department
2550 Cerrillos Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-4767; fax (505) 827-7649
C. Long-term Care Ombudsman
Sondra Everhart
New Mexico State Agency on Aging
2550 Cerrillos Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-4790; fax (505) 476-4836
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 Agency on Aging
(505) 924-3693
Serves Bernalillo County and City of Albuquerque
North Central New Mexico Economic Development District
(505) 827-7313
www.epcog.org/nc/nc_age.htm
Serves Cibola, Colfax, Los Alamos, McKinley, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Juan, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Taos, Torrance and Valencia
Eastern New Mexico AAA, Inc.
(505) 769-1613
Serves Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Eddy, Guadalupe, Harding, Lea, Lincoln, Quay, Union and Roosevelt
Southwestern NM AAA, Inc.
(505) 541-4200; 800-762-8690 (Ombudsman); 1-800-49SENIOR
Serves Catron, Dona Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Otero, Sierra Socorro
Navajo Aging Services Department
(602) 871-6868
Serves the Navajo Nation
Aging & Long-Term Services Department
(505) 827-7640
Serves New Mexico Pueblos and Apache Tribes
E. Bar Committees/Sections
Elder Law Section
Amanda Harriett Hartmann, Chair
State Bar of New Mexico
PO Box 92860
Albuquerque, NM 87199-2860
(505) 797- 6000; fax (505) 828- 3765
Web: http://www.nmbar.org/
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- New Mexico 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
Lawyer Referral for the Elderly Program
State Bar of New Mexico
P.O. Box 25883
Albuquerque, NM 87125
(505) 797-6005; (800) 876-6657
Clients call an 800 number and are referred to local attorneys for legal assistance on a pro bono basis.
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
University of New Mexico School of Law - Clinical Law Program
1117 Stanford, N.E., #3228
Albuquerque, NM 87131-1431
(505) 277-5265
I. Attorney General's Office
Gary King, Attorney General
P.O. Drawer 1508
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508
(505) 827-6000
Web: http://www.ago.state.nm.us
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
1720 Louisiana Blvd., N.E., Ste. 204
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 256-3100; (800) 432-4682 (Voice and TDD); fax (505) 256- 3184
Web: www.nmpanda.org
Email: info@nmpanda.org
Private, non-profit legal rights center for people with disabilities.
K. Dispute Resolution
None listed
L. Other Projects
Lawyers Care
State Bar of New Mexico Pro Bono/Referral
P.O. Box 25883
Albuquerque, NM 87125
(505) 797-6050; fax (505) 828-3765
Senior Citizens Law Office
4317 Lead Avenue SE, Suite A
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 265-2300; fax (505) 265-3600
