Ad
People who need legal advice and don't have the money to pay for it can get it free May 31.
The Sandoval County 13th Judicial District Court will play host to a free legal fair that day.
Isabella Zayani is the pro-bono coordinator for the volunteer attorney program of New Mexico Legal Aid and plans legal affairs throughout the state, including this event.
"New Mexico is an impoverished state, and we do have a lot of individuals who need legal help but cannot afford attorneys. The purpose of these legal affairs is to provide those with low income with the opportunity to have a one-on-one, brief one-time consultation with a private attorney," she said.
Zayani added people will have to apply in advance to get the advice they need.
"Individuals will come fill out an application. We will then go through our intake process. Then they sit down with someone who will look at their application and ask them for more information," she explained.
Then she will place them with an attorney so they can receive their consultation.
"The most common type of problem I see is people not knowing where they should go. A lot of individuals are overwhelmed by the system," she explained.
Most people, she says, just want to know what to file and how to file.
Finding volunteers can be an issue in rural areas according to Zayani. However, it is easier in the metro area.
Ad
"Our judges are very good at helping to recruit attorneys," she added.
During COVID, legal fairs weren't available due to shut downs. This event will be the first legal fair at the Sandoval County Judicial Complex since before the pandemic began.
Areas of law people can get advice in: Divorce, custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity, kinship, guardianship, landlord/tenant, creditor/debtor, wills/probate, powers of attorney, employment, unemployment, benefits, and contracts.
The event goes from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sandoval County Judicial Complex off of Idalia Rd. and NM 528.
