Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Albuquerque, NM — including verified providers, contact details, who they help, and how to prepare before applying. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Albuquerque, NM: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Albuquerque and cannot afford a private attorney, several statewide and local legal-aid organizations offer free or low-cost civil legal assistance. These programs help with eviction defense, housing conditions, domestic violence, family law, debt and consumer issues, immigration-related civil matters, elder law, and public-benefits problems. Even when they cannot provide full representation, many offer advice lines, clinics, and self-help support. (You may also upload documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Albuquerque
New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA)
What they do: NMLA is the statewide civil-legal aid provider for low-income residents. They assist with eviction defense, housing repairs, domestic violence, divorce and custody (limited), debt and consumer issues, unemployment, benefits appeals, immigration-related civil cases, and elder law.
Contact: Albuquerque office: (505) 243-7871. Statewide intake: 1-833-545-4357. Website: newmexicolegalaid.org.
DNA People’s Legal Services
What they do: Provides free civil legal services to Native American individuals living in tribal communities and nearby areas. They assist with family law, housing issues, consumer problems, public benefits, and civil rights matters.
Contact: Statewide line: (505) 867-3391. Website: dnalegalservices.org.
Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center (FAC)
What they do: Provides coordinated support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse. Services include legal advocacy, help with protective orders, and referrals to attorneys.
Contact: Phone: (505) 243-2333. Website: cabq.gov.
University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Law Legal Clinics
What they do: Offers free or low-cost representation through supervised law-student clinics. Topics include child and family justice, immigration, housing, consumer rights, tax issues, and record expungement. Services depend on the academic calendar and limited caseloads.
Website: lawschool.unm.edu/clinic
NM Immigrant Law Center (NMILC)
What they do: Provides low-cost or free immigration legal assistance including DACA, humanitarian visas, asylum support (non-court), family-based applications, and legal clinics.
Contact: Phone: (505) 247-1023. Website: nmilc.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Albuquerque
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions
- Domestic violence and protection orders
- Family law (custody, child support, divorce — limited)
- Consumer-protection issues and debt collection
- Unemployment and public-benefits appeals
- Immigration-related civil matters
- Tax disputes and IRS issues (through UNM clinics)
- Record expungement or sealing
- Elder-law issues, including exploitation
What Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense matters
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial disputes
- Immigration removal or detention
- High-asset or highly contested family law litigation
When Albuquerque Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court summons: New Mexico eviction timelines move quickly — contact NMLA immediately.
- Your landlord refuses repairs or attempts an illegal lockout: Document everything and seek help quickly.
- You experience domestic violence: Contact the Family Advocacy Center or seek an emergency protection order.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment paperwork: Deadlines are strict — keep all documents.
- Your benefits are denied or cut off: Appeals require timely submission.
- Seniors facing abuse or eviction: Specialized elder services may apply.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather important documents: leases, notices, repair logs, debt letters, benefit denials, ID, pay stubs, court papers, and written communications.
- Create a timeline: note key dates for notices, payments, repair requests, incidents, and deadlines.
- Prepare financial information: income, household size, benefits, and expenses.
- Write a brief summary: 2–3 sentences that explain your problem and the help you need.
- Highlight urgent factors: DV safety concerns, disability, senior status, eviction risk, or court dates.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- State Bar of New Mexico Lawyer Referral Service: modest-cost consultations with licensed attorneys.
- NM Courts Self-Help Center: free civil court forms and step-by-step guides.
- Pro bono legal clinics: periodic community workshops hosted by NMLA and UNM.
- LegalClarity upload tool: get a plain-English explanation of your legal documents (informational only).
Conclusion: Where Albuquerque Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Albuquerque and cannot afford a lawyer, start by contacting New Mexico Legal Aid at (505) 243-7871 or the statewide hotline 1-833-545-4357. Survivors of violence should also reach out to the Family Advocacy Center. If you don’t qualify for free aid, try the NM Bar Referral Service or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.