Community Resources: Legal Help

 

Baxter Community Center, opens a new window

Sponsors lawyer Jeffrey Portko on certain Saturdays throughout the year. Portko is available to answer legal questions including landlord issues, bankruptcy, and more.

Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan, opens a new window

Provides confidential and affordable mediation services, including legal, neighbor, workplace, civil rights, parenting, contracts, and many other kinds of disputes.

Legal Assistance Center, opens a new window

Offers legal information and forms about family, housing, small claims, guardianship, and other issues. Does not provide legal advice or representation.

Lawyer Referral & Information Service, opens a new window

The Grand Rapids Bar Association provides referral and information on qualified legal assistance. Arranges appointments with attorneys or provides referrals to community organizations.

MiChildSupport - DHHS

The MiChildSuport portal has added a What's New section to their site to address issues unique to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have created a document of FAQs addressing questions of child support and shared custody, Michigan Child Support Covid-19 Question and Answer. Additional resources can be found at the American Bar Association's COVID-19 and Family Law Issues.

Income Based

Legal Aid of Western Michigan, opens a new window

Provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals facing a civil legal problem. Will defend, but not initiate custody cases.

Mel Trotter Ministries, opens a new window

Partners with various agencies to provide free legal guidance to low income individuals. Legal volunteers are not able to represent in court.

Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, opens a new window

Provides low-cost legal representation in immigration matters, through Immigration Legal Services. Staff help their clients re-unite families, obtain citizenship and permanent resident status, and assist victims of crime. 

Migrant Legal Aid, opens a new window

Provides programs and services to help ensure migrants are not subject to discriminatory treatment, focusing on five areas: advocacy, community education, outreach, legal advice, and representation/referrals.

Other Resources

Disability Rights Michigan

DRM is a non-profit organization which provides legal assistance for people with disabilities. Services include information and referral, legal representation, systemic advocacy, monitoring, and training.

Elder Law of Michigan, opens a new window

Offers free access to attorneys for Michigan residents, age 60 and older. Provides advice on issues such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, will, real estate, personal injury, and other matters

Hispanic Center of West Michigan, opens a new window

Provides power of attorney letters, passport applications, birth certificate information, and immigration-related concerns. The center also sponsors Project H.O.P.E., which offers legal support for those impacted by domestic violence, assault, dating violence, or stalking. 

 

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