Dealing with the legal system can be stressful, even for a traffic ticket. However, if you are the victim of domestic violence, a former foster kid facing eviction, or a veteran trying to access benefits, the stakes are high. These can be life-altering issues impacting someone’s safety, housing, health, and financial stability for decades.

Unlike criminal cases, people aren’t guaranteed a lawyer for civil cases. For many, that means going to court alone and facing property management companies, abusers, and out-of-state debt collectors with lawyers. Research shows that victims of domestic violence are four times more likely to successfully leave an abusive relationship when they have legal representation.

Yet civil legal assistance in Montana is incredibly limited. A recent study showed

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