"Equal justice under law is not just a caption on the facade of the Supreme Court building. It is perhaps the most inspiring ideal of our society . . . It is fundamental that justice should be the same, in substance and availability, without regard to economic status."  - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, Jr.

What is Poverty?  For information about poverty in the United States, visit:  www.povertyusa.org

• Adoption
• Bankruptcy
• Conservatorships
• Consumer Debt
• Car repossessions
• Contracts/Warranties
• Miscellaneous debt collection matters
• Domestic/Family Law, both through the Family Law Court Program and otherwise.
  • Divorce (Dissolution of Marriage)
  • Custody (Allocation of Parental Responsibilities)
  • On a very limited basis, "post-decree" matters arising after divorces, such as enforcing parental responsibility rights (also sometimes called "custody"), parenting time (also sometimes called "visitation"), or child support orders
  • Protection orders for victims of domestic violence
• Estate planning
  • Wills
  • Living wills
  • Power of Attorney
  • Trusts
• Guardianships
  • To provide for the protection and oversight of persons who cannot care for themselves because of their age (children or the elderly) or conditions that affect their ability to think and act for themselves (such as Alzheimers, etc.)
• Immigration ( in cooperation with Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network http://www.rmian.org/)
  • Appeals of denials of residency
  • Political asylum
  • Representation of inmates at the INS ("Wackenhut") Detention Center
• Landlord/Tenant
  • Evictions
  • Security deposit disputes
  • Mobile home issues
• Persons with HIV/AIDS
  • Via referrals from the Colorado AIDS Project
• Probate
  • Will contests
  • Mental health issues
• Real estate
  • Fraudulent transfers
• Tax
  • Audit issues
• Tort Defense
  • Uninsured motorists sued for personal injuries or property damage caused in accidents

We are unable to accept criminal cases of any kind.

Typical MVL clients range from single parents seeking court-ordered parenting plans, to working folks facing foreclosure or eviction, to elderly and/or disabled adults who need access to limited resources and protection from financial scams.    

For the story of one Mom's struggle to have her daughter returned to her, see: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2006/aug/30/moms-persistence-fbis-clout-got-her-daughter/

The provision of legal services helps stabilize families, saves taxpayers money, reduces the number of cases clogging the courts, and helps people move toward self-sufficiency and full participation in society. Thanks to the support of MVL's volunteers and sponsors, we have been able to assist over 1800 needy community members with their legal needs so far this year. Without the volunteers who give their time and skill, we cannot provide pro bono legal services to needy metro area clients.

If the motto "and justice for all" becomes "and justice for those who can afford it", we threaten the very underpinnings of our social contract. - Chief Justice Ronald George California Supreme Court, Annual "State of Judiciary" Speech, 2001