Where can I get legal help?

 

There are a few groups which may be able to help you with legal issues.

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The Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors 

This service is available to seniors and to people with disabilities.

 

Simply call the hotline number 800.347.5297 during the hours that it is in service

(Currently 10-3 Monday through Thursday).

 

They will take your basic information to make sure you are eligible, then you ask them your legal question.They will answer your question, either immediately or with a call back, depending on how complex your question is.

 

Elderlaw can advise you on a wide range of topics including Social Security, Medicare, Consumer Law, Financial Exploitation and Scams, Wills/Probate, Long Term Care, Medicaid, and many more.

 

If your case is complex and you need a lawyer, they have a referral panel of approved lawyers who agree to charge you less than the market rate for their services.Call for more information.

 

They can also help make sure that you are receiving all the benefits that you are entitled to receive.

If you want someone to help you make this call, make sure they are present when you call the Hotline, as you will have to give permission to the legal specialist to talk to someone else about your issue.

 

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Legal Services of Southwestern Michigan

Helps low income people with a variety of legal issues. Call for more information.

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Lansing Office:

3490 Belle Chase Way, #50

Lansing, MI 48911

Phone: 888-783-8190

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Michigan Protection and Advocacy

 

Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc.

4095 Legacy Pkwy Ste 500

Lansing, MI 48911-4264

P: (517) 487-1755, (800) 288-5923(Voice)

 

MPAS can provide information and referrals to help safeguard your rights in several areas:

• Eliminate Abuse and Neglect

• Increase the Protection of Individual Rights, Independence and Self-Determination

• Eliminate Employment Barriers and Protect Rights

• Improve Access to Services

• Ensure the Right to High Quality Education

 

Call with related issues, you will be connected with an advocate who will advise to the extent that they can. In rare cases, you may be eligible for more in depth help and the advocates will guide you through this.

 

 

Cooley Law School

WMU-Cooley Law School Sixty Plus, Inc. Clinic

300 S. Capitol Avenue

Lansing, Michigan 48933

517 371 5140

 

Sixty Plus, Inc. is a clinic which provides free legal assistance to elderly residents of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties. Students interview, counsel, represent, and advocate in a general civil law practice for clients who are 60 years old and older.  You must be 60 years or older to receive this service.

 

 

Michigan State University Legal Aid Clinics- Housing Clinic

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517- 432-6800 (press 6 for clinics)

 

MSU has legal clinics for the following issues:

• Animal Welfare Clinic

• Chance at Childhood Clinic

• Housing Clinic

• Immigration Law Clinic- very selective

• Indian Law Clinic

• Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurial Law Clinic

• Alvin L. Storrs Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic

 

Most of the clinics are very selective, but the Housing clinic is the exception.

They will help anyone who is renting a house or apartment who is having landlord/tenant issues.

 

They can provide these services:

• Work with clients

• Investigate

• Negotiate

• Research case law

• Draft contracts

• Represent clients in court

 

 

Michigan Legal Help Website

 

• Michigan Legal Help is a self-help website with lots of resources for people who are handling their legal problems without a lawyer.

• It can help you learn about your legal problems and get ready for court.

• There are many Do-It-Yourself tools to help you create court forms.

• This website does not give legal advice, and it is not a substitute for having a lawyer.

• If you need more help, search the website for a lawyer, community services, or a Self-Help Center nearby.

• The website does not cover all areas of law, but they do add new topics frequently.

• Housing, money, debt, and a variety of other topics can be researched here.