Last updated: July 14, 2026
Bottom line
For most civil legal problems in Michigan, start with the Guide to Legal Help. It asks about your county, income, and legal issue. It may point you to free legal aid, court forms, a self-help center, or a private lawyer.
Legal aid may help with custody, child support, divorce, eviction, public benefits, debt, disability rights, immigration, or a Personal Protection Order. Help is not guaranteed. Each office has rules about income, county, case type, conflicts of interest, and staff capacity.
This article gives general information, not legal advice. A lawyer, legal aid office, court, or official agency should review the facts of your case.
If you need legal help today
Some legal problems have short deadlines. Start with the most urgent date or safety issue.
- Immediate danger: Call 911. If domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking is involved, call or text the VOICES4 hotline at 1-855-864-2374. Use a safer device when possible if someone monitors your phone or browser.
- Court date or legal notice: Find the court name, case number, hearing date, and response deadline. Use the Michigan court forms page, but ask legal aid which form fits your case.
- Need legal-aid screening: Call the Counsel and Advocacy Law Line at 1-888-783-8190 or use CALL intake.
- Need food, shelter, or transport: Dial 211 or 844-875-9211. You can also text your ZIP code to 898211 through Michigan 211.
Related ASMOM pages include Michigan emergency help, Michigan housing help, and the Michigan safety guide.
Where to start
Choose the path that matches your problem. Do not wait for a return call if a court or agency deadline is close. Contact more than one trusted source when needed.
I need a lawyer
Use the Guide to Legal Help or CALL. Tell the intake worker your county, legal issue, hearing date, and the names of the other people in the case.
I need court forms
Use official court forms or Michigan Legal Help tools. A clerk can explain filing steps, but cannot tell you what legal choice to make.
I cannot pay fees
Ask the court about a fee waiver. Do not skip a filing deadline because you cannot pay before asking about the waiver process.
I have a safety concern
Contact an advocate before filing when notice to the other person could create more danger. A court order is only one part of a safety plan.
The national legal guide explains common legal-help paths. The Michigan help page covers state benefits and family resources beyond legal services.
Quick legal help table
| Problem | First place to try | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need free civil legal aid | Guide to Legal Help or CALL | Which office serves my county and issue? | Income, case type, conflicts, and capacity affect service. |
| Custody or parenting time | Legal aid or Friend of the Court | Which motion or process fits my order? | Informal agreements may not change a court order. |
| Child support | Michigan Child Support Program | How do I open, review, or enforce a case? | Changes usually require an official review or court order. |
| Domestic violence or stalking | Advocate, legal aid, or PPO office | Which PPO type may fit, and what proof helps? | A PPO does not promise safety or replace advocacy. |
| Eviction or debt lawsuit | Legal aid and the court | What is my response or hearing deadline? | Ignoring papers can lead to a default judgment. |
| Benefits denied or closed | MDHHS hearing process | What is my hearing deadline and correct form? | Medicaid service appeals may use different steps. |
Free and lower-cost legal help
Michigan legal-aid offices mainly handle civil cases. These may include family law, housing, public benefits, consumer debt, disability rights, education, and some employment or immigration matters. Criminal cases use a different system. If jail is possible, ask the court how to request appointed counsel.
Use the State Bar of Michigan’s legal aid directory to search by county and service. CALL can screen many low-income residents and older adults for legal aid, brief advice, or referrals.
If free legal aid cannot take the case, try the State Bar referral center. Its lawyer referral service currently charges a $25 administrative fee for up to a 25-minute first consultation with a participating lawyer. Confirm all later fees and the scope of work in writing.
Old resource warning
Michigan no longer participates in ABA Free Legal Answers. Do not spend time creating an account there. Use Michigan Legal Help, CALL, a county legal-aid office, a self-help center, or the State Bar referral center instead.
Court forms, self-help centers, and fees
Michigan Legal Help offers guided tools for many civil forms. The do-it-yourself forms page covers topics such as custody, divorce, eviction answers, fee waivers, and benefits hearings. Read the instructions before filing.
A legal self-help center can help you find forms and understand basic filing steps. Staff can explain legal information, but they cannot act as your lawyer or tell you what result to seek.
Use the official trial court directory to confirm the court address, phone number, website, and accessibility contact. Do not rely only on an address found in an old letter or an unofficial directory.
If you cannot afford filing fees, ask about form MC 20. If a fee-waiver request is denied, the form says you generally have 14 days from the issue date to pay or request review. Follow the order and ask the clerk what must be filed.
Custody, parenting time, and child support
Family cases may involve custody, parenting time, child support, divorce, paternity, relocation, or enforcement. If you already have an order, the order remains in effect until the court changes it.
The Friend of the Court helps with many custody, parenting-time, and support matters after a case is opened. Its role can include support enforcement, support review, case management, and some dispute-resolution services. Local procedures differ by county.
The Michigan child support program can help establish paternity and support, locate a parent, and enforce support orders. Use MiChildSupport to view case information and find local office contacts.
Ask before filing a motion on your own. A change in income, child care, insurance, schedule, or living arrangements does not automatically change the order. The Michigan child support guide gives more practical steps.
Keep communication clear
Save court orders, calendars, payment records, school notices, and messages. Keep written communication brief and focused on the child. Avoid posting case details on social media.
Domestic violence, stalking, and PPOs
Michigan has Personal Protection Orders, often called PPOs. A PPO can order another person to stop certain conduct. The right petition depends on the relationship and facts.
The PPO form tool can help prepare forms. The Michigan Courts site also has official PPO court forms.
Talk with an advocate before filing if notice, service, or a hearing may increase danger. Ask about confidential contact information, court accompaniment, shelter, and local legal help. A PPO may be helpful, but it cannot promise safety.
The national domestic violence guide explains safer support paths. For immediate family needs during a crisis, check Michigan food help, Michigan cash help, and Michigan child care.
Eviction, housing discrimination, and debt
If you receive an eviction summons, debt complaint, garnishment notice, or other court paper, save the envelope and every page. Find the hearing date and response deadline. Call legal aid before the date when possible.
Do not assume a landlord, creditor, or debt collector will pause the case because you called or offered a payment plan. Get any agreement in writing and keep attending court unless the court confirms a change.
If you believe a landlord, lender, or housing provider discriminated against you, contact the Michigan fair housing office at 800-482-3604. Deadlines apply, so ask how soon a complaint must be filed.
The Michigan housing guide linked above covers rent and shelter help. A legal-aid office may also screen for improper lockouts, unsafe conditions, security-deposit disputes, debt collection, or bankruptcy referrals.
Public benefits denials and hearings
If MDHHS denies, reduces, closes, or delays Food Assistance, cash assistance, child care, State Emergency Relief, Medicaid eligibility, MIChild, or Healthy Michigan Plan coverage, read the notice. It should explain the action and hearing rights.
The MDHHS hearing page lists the forms used for public assistance and several Medicaid appeal types. The standard hearing request form can be delivered or mailed to the local MDHHS office for many eligibility disputes.
Michigan policy lists 90 calendar days from the notice date for many public-assistance hearing requests. Medicaid managed-care or service disputes may require an internal appeal or a different form. Follow the notice and ask MDHHS or legal aid if the path is unclear.
Keep the notice, application date, upload receipts, screenshots, names of workers, and proof you submitted. The Michigan health guide covers health-coverage starting points. The denied benefits guide helps you organize appeal steps.
Specialized legal help
| Issue | Trusted starting point | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Disability rights | Disability Rights Michigan | Offers information, advice, advocacy, and selected representation. Call 800-288-5923 or use online intake. |
| Immigration | Michigan immigrant legal help | Immigration rules are complex. Use a licensed lawyer or accredited nonprofit, not an unlicensed form preparer. |
| Work or pregnancy rights | Legal aid, MDCR, or a private lawyer | Save schedules, pay records, leave requests, messages, and written job actions. |
| Criminal charge | The court handling the case | Ask how to request appointed counsel if you cannot afford a lawyer and jail is possible. |
ASMOM’s disability help guide covers related benefits and services. The workplace rights guide covers pregnancy and work protections in more detail.
Documents to gather
You do not need every paper before asking for help. Start intake, then ask what is most important. Keep secure copies when possible.
| Issue | Helpful documents | Why they matter |
|---|---|---|
| Custody or support | Orders, case number, notices, income proof, child care and insurance costs | They show the current order and what may have changed. |
| Eviction or housing | Lease, notices, summons, rent ledger, receipts, repair requests, photos | They show deadlines, payments, and housing conditions. |
| Benefits appeal | Notice, application date, upload proof, income records, worker messages | They show the agency action and what you submitted. |
| PPO or safety | Incident dates, messages, reports, photos, witness names, prior orders | Clear dates and facts help an advocate or lawyer understand the case. |
| Debt or consumer case | Complaint, bills, contracts, payment records, collection letters | They help confirm the amount, parties, and court deadline. |
Use the documents checklist to build one folder for legal and benefits papers.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing a hearing. Contact the court before the date if you cannot attend.
- Ignoring mail. Open court, MDHHS, landlord, debt, and child-support notices right away.
- Using an outdated form. Download forms from Michigan Courts or Michigan Legal Help.
- Paying an unverified person. Check a lawyer through the State Bar and use accredited immigration help.
- Changing an order informally. A private agreement may not replace a court order.
- Posting online. Messages and social posts may become evidence.
If legal help is denied or delayed
Legal aid may turn down a case because of income, location, case type, a conflict of interest, missing information, or limited staff. Ask for the reason and another referral.
- Try the Guide to Legal Help again with the exact county and issue.
- Ask whether brief advice, a clinic, or limited-scope help is available.
- Contact a self-help center for forms and process information.
- Use the State Bar referral center if you can pay for some lawyer time.
- Keep working on court or appeal deadlines while waiting for a call.
When legal trouble is tied to several family needs, the Michigan state page and Michigan 211 can help you build a wider support list.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling legal aid
“Hi, I live in [county] and need help with [custody, eviction, benefits, PPO, debt, or another issue]. My hearing or deadline is [date]. Can you screen me or tell me which office handles this problem?”
Calling the court clerk
“Hi, I have case number [number]. I am not asking for legal advice. Can you confirm my hearing date, filing method, fee, and whether I can request a fee waiver?”
Calling Friend of the Court
“Hi, I need help understanding my custody, parenting-time, or support order. Can you tell me which local process or form is used for enforcement, review, or a change request?”
Calling MDHHS
“Hi, I received a notice dated [date] about [benefit]. I want to understand my hearing rights. Which form applies, what is my deadline, and where should I submit it?”
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda legal civil en Michigan, empiece con Guide to Legal Help o llame a CALL al 1-888-783-8190. Guarde todos los papeles, sobres, mensajes, fechas de audiencia y números de caso.
Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para violencia doméstica, agresión sexual o trata, llame o envíe un texto a VOICES4 al 1-855-864-2374 desde un dispositivo seguro cuando sea posible. Si recibe una negación de beneficios, revise la fecha límite para pedir una audiencia.
FAQs
Can single mothers get a free lawyer in Michigan?
Sometimes. Free civil legal aid depends on income, county, case type, conflicts, and office capacity. Start with the Guide to Legal Help or CALL at 1-888-783-8190.
Can legal aid help with custody or child support?
Some offices handle custody, parenting time, support, divorce, and PPO cases. Not every office takes every case. Ask for screening and contact Friend of the Court when a case is already open.
Where can I get Michigan court forms?
Use Michigan Courts SCAO forms or Michigan Legal Help tools. Confirm that the form fits your case and court. A self-help center can explain basic filing steps.
Can I ask the court to waive filing fees?
Yes. Ask about form MC 20 when you cannot afford fees. If the request is denied, follow the order quickly because payment or review deadlines may apply.
Can I appeal an MDHHS benefits denial?
Many MDHHS decisions can be challenged through a hearing. Save the notice and follow its deadline. Medicaid service disputes may require a different form or an internal appeal first.
Is Michigan Free Legal Answers still available?
No. Michigan no longer participates in ABA Free Legal Answers. Use Michigan Legal Help, CALL, a legal-aid office, a self-help center, or the State Bar referral center instead.
Review dates
Last updated: July 14, 2026
Next review: October 14, 2026
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 14, 2026, next review October 14, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.