Free help near you · Michigan
You may qualify for free legal help. Here's where to look first.
In danger? Call 911. In crisis? Call or text 988.
Free legal aid offices
Free civil legal help for low-income Michiganders
- Michigan Legal Help: Find help near you ↗
Answer a few questions to find free legal aid, clinics and lawyers in your county.
- Counsel & Advocacy Law Line ↗
Michigan's statewide legal aid phone line for low-income residents.
- Lakeshore Legal Aid ↗
Free civil legal help, southeast Michigan and the Thumb.
- Legal Aid of Western Michigan ↗
Free civil legal help across western Michigan.
- Legal Services of Northern Michigan ↗
Free legal help in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
Help by problem
What's happening in your case?
Custody and family
- Michigan Legal Help: Family ↗
Free plain-language guides and court forms for custody, parenting time and support.
- Friend of the Court (your county) ↗
Your county's office that handles custody, parenting time and support investigations.
Safety and protection orders
If you're in danger now, call 911.
- Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence ↗
Find a local domestic violence program, shelter or advocate in Michigan.
- Michigan Legal Help: Safety ↗
How to ask for a personal protection order (PPO), step by step.
Small claims, debt and money
- Michigan Legal Help: Money and Debt ↗
Guides on debt collection, small claims and consumer problems.
- Michigan Courts: Self-help ↗
Court forms, including small claims, plus links to local self-help centers.
Housing and eviction
- Michigan Legal Help: Housing ↗
Tenant rights, eviction answers and what to bring to court.
Criminal charges
- Michigan Indigent Defense Commission ↗
If you can't afford a lawyer for a criminal charge, ask the court for one. Ask early.
Benefits and unemployment
- Michigan Legal Help: Public Benefits ↗
Help appealing denied or cut-off benefits and unemployment.
Lower the cost
Fee waivers and low-cost lawyers
- Fee waiver (form MC 20) ↗
Ask the court to waive filing fees if you can't afford them. Search the forms list for MC 20.
- State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral ↗
Get matched with a lawyer. Ask about "limited scope" help, paying for one task only.
Help for specific groups
Seniors, veterans, disability and immigration
- Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors ↗
Free legal advice for Michigan residents 60 and older.
- Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency ↗
Benefits help and connections to legal clinics for veterans.
- Disability Rights Michigan ↗
Legal advocacy for people with disabilities.
- Michigan Immigrant Rights Center ↗
Free and low-cost immigration legal help.
Use these services first. Unshaken helps you prepare, practice and follow through.
Unshaken is not connected to these organizations unless listed as a partner. Programs and links change; listings last checked November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.