Text below a keyboard that reads, "Negotiating a payment plan with a debt collector?"

Payment Plans, Debt Collectors, and Wage Garnishment

Negotiating a payment plan with a debt collector? Here is what you need to know: If you can’t agree on a payment plan, the debt collector could file a lawsuit. If they win, they could get a court judgment and garnish your wages.  The law sets limits on how much they can take from your …

Text that reads, "Legal information and legal advice are best when they come from people, not AI."

Legal Advice and AI

When it comes to legal advice and legal arguments, you should never rely only on artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This includes ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Google AI Overview, and AI chatbots on social media.  When you ask AI technology about a specific legal problem, it’s not the same as simply searching for information online. It rapidly scans …

Two notebooks with text that read, "When hiring, it is illegal for employers to discriminate because of a person's race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, or disability."

Illegal Questions at Job Interviews

Here are some examples of illegal questions you may be asked during a job interview that could be used to discriminate against you: What is your race? What is your age? Are you married? What is your religious background? Do you have any children? Do you have a back injury? Have you ever been on …

A reminder box that reads, "When it comes to stalking, some people might escalate their abusive behavior if they become aware that your devices, accounts, or passwords are secured. There is support available. Reach out to a victim advocacy or domestic violence organization to get resources and help with safety planning. Consider using another device, like a friend’s phone or library computer."

Stalking Is Not Romantic

This Valentine’s Day, a reminder that stalking – including through the use of technology – is not romantic. It’s illegal.  If you think someone is stalking you, trust your instincts. A local domestic violence program can help you come up with a safety plan. Many of them are listed on the Montana Coalition Against Domestic …

A notebook page that reads, "Domestic violence shelter partners."

Domestic Violence Shelter Partners

February is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! We’re proud to partner with these domestic violence shelters across Montana. Each one has a crisis hotline and offers safety, support, and resources to survivors in their communities.   Chippewa Cree Tribe Victim Services in Box Elder: Office & Crisis Line: (406) 395-4513  www.ccthumanservices.org/departments.php   Safe Space in Butte: …

Text that reads, "If you're feeling stressed about tax season, you've got options." Below is a stressed person at a desk.

Resources for Tax Season

Are tax documents arriving in the mail and weighing you down? There are a number of programs and resources that can help you file both your state and federal taxes! For federal taxes, you may be able to file for free using the Internal Revenue Service’s Free File. If you qualify based on your income, …

Texto que dice, "¿Ha estado preocupado? Quiero dejar mi trabajo, pero no creo que mi empleador me lo permita. Estoy endeudado con mi empleador y no sé qué hacer. Mi empleador me está obligando a hacer algo que me hace sentir incómodo. Mi empleador me ha amenazado de hacerme daño en mi lugar de trabajo y tengo miedo."

El Mes de la Prevención de la Trata de Personas

¡Enero es el Mes de la Prevención de la Trata de Personas! Este mes y cada mes, todos tienen el derecho a vivir y a trabajar de forma segura. Es ilegal obligar a alguien a trabajar o a tener relaciones sexuales a cambio, comida, alojamiento o seguridad.  Si ha estado preocupado por dejar su trabajo …

Text that reads, "Have you found yourself worrying? I want to leave my job, but I don't think my employer will let me. I'm in debt to my employer, and I don't know what to do. My employer is forcing me to do something that makes me uncomfortable. My employer has threatened harm at my workplace, and I'm scared."

Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month! This month and every month, everyone has the right to live and work safely. It is illegal to force someone to work or have sex for money, food, shelter, or safety. If you’ve been worrying about safely leaving your job, being in debt to your employer, or facing threats …

Text that reads, “Know your rights. Robocalls, prerecorded calls, and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).”

Telephone Consumer Protection Act – Know Your Rights

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) protects consumers from robocalls and prerecorded messages. This act applies to cell phones, residential phones, text messages, and faxes. Cell phones: Telemarketers, scammers, or debt collectors cannot make an automated robocall, prerecorded message, or text message to your cell phone without your permission. Residential phones: Telemarketers cannot call your …

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Montana Court Locator Tool

Trying to figure out which court you need to go to in Montana? With the Court Locator tool, you can search by county or city to see a list of courts that reside in each judicial district. Visit courts.mt.gov/CourtLocator/ Where a case is filed depends on many factors, including where you live or where the …