Legal Resources
FREE DOWNLOAD
KINSHIP CAREGIVER LEGAL GUIDE
This 91-page pdf is a valuable legal manual that provides the tools necessary to establish a legal relationship for the children in your care with specific reference to the laws of the State of New Mexico.
FREE VIRTUAL TRAININGS
LEGAL QUESTION & ANSWERS VIDEO
STATEWIDE LEGAL TELECLINICS SERIES (FLYER)
FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO THE FOSTERING FAMILY PROGRAM
DNA LEGAL SERVICES
Provides direct legal services to caregivers concerning: Obtaining guardianship; Power of attorney; Child/Parent visitation; if part of kinship guardianship final order; Culturally appropriate legal services to immigrant caregivers; Public benefits (applications or denials) and financial matters; Medicaid; Housing; Social Security Disability Insurance; and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Request a call back at (505) 325-8886.
NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID
Provides direct civil legal services to caregivers concerning Public benefits (applications or denials) and financial matters; Medicaid; Housing; Social Security Disability Insurance; and Supplemental Security Income.
PEGASUS LAW FIRM
Pegasus is a law resource focusing primarily on legal services for children and caregivers. They provide guardianship legal services aimed at grandparents and other adults taking care of children whose parents are unable or unwilling to care for them themselves. They also have education law resources to ensure every child has the right to free, meaningful, and appropriate education. This organization also acts as Guardian ad Litems to act in the children’s best interests and as a youth’s attorney for clients 14 years or older. Other services include: obtaining guardianship or power of attorney, child/parent visitation (if part of kinship guardianship final order), and culturally appropriate legal services to immigrant caregivers.
ADVOCACY, INC.
Advocacy Inc. is a non-profit with the sole intention of providing free and low-cost legal support services for at-risk children. Opened in 1986, they have provided legal support and care for numerous at-risk children and currently recruit, train, support, and monitor 32 New Mexico attorneys representing over 800 children.
GUARDIANSHIP LEGAL HELPLINE
If you need help or have questions about kinship guardianship of a child, please call the Guardianship Legal Helpline (505) 217-1660 or 1-833-355-6944.
LEGAL SERVICES FOR HIRE
NM CASA ASSOCIATION
NM CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) is an organization that specializes in child advocacy, whether it be in court or their foster home environment, ensuring that the child’s voice is heard and that their needs are being met.
PEAK LAW FIRM
Peake Law Firm is a New Mexico business specializing in numerous types of law, but directly relating to kinship caregivers, they can help by providing family law services. Child custody, child support, and parent visitation services are primarily helpful for this group, as well as obtaining uncontested guardianship, powers of attorney, and caregiver affidavits.