Hot lines set up to offer legal help for flood victims

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Toll-free phone hot lines will direct North Dakota and Minnesota residents to legal help for flood-related problems.

Legal aid offices in the two states will direct callers to attorneys and resources to help with flood recovery issues such as hiring contractors, landlord-tenant disputes and proof of identity, insurance and mortgage matters.

North Dakota residents can call (800) 634-5263; Minnesota residents can call (800) 450-8585.

“Some callers will qualify for free legal assistance and some will need to hire lawyers, depending on ability to pay, but all callers will get assistance finding the right kind of legal help for their problem,” said Mary Schneider, executive director of Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, which is staffing the Minnesota hot line. Legal Services of North Dakota is staffing the North Dakota hotline.

“Cooperation among Legal Services of North Dakota, the State Bar Association of North Dakota and our Minnesota counterparts has been impressive,” said Bill Neumann, executive director of the North Dakota Bar. “Everyone is pulling together to help people affected by the flooding throughout our two states.”

Tags: spring flood 2009, north dakota, flood, news, minnesota