Business Details
Free Legal Services for Low-Income Michigan Residents
Legal Services of South Central Michigan has dedicated itself to providing free legal advice and representation to low-income individuals, families, and older adults across 13 Michigan counties. Our organization focuses on civil legal matters, including family law, housing stability, public benefits, consumer rights, and healthcare access, addressing critical needs that impact vulnerable populations. We prioritize cases involving domestic violence prevention, eviction defense, and income maintenance to ensure household stability. Our team offers comprehensive legal support through document preparation, court representation, and community education initiatives. We operate under strict non-discrimination policies and comply with federal and state civil rights requirements.With funding from the Legal Services Corporation and local grants, we maintain specialized programs for older adults and underserved communities. Our staff combines legal expertise with compassionate service to address the growing legal challenges faced by low-income residents. We work closely with community organizations to expand access to justice and improve systemic outcomes. While we cannot accept criminal cases or fee-generating civil matters, our commitment to equitable legal representation remains unwavering. Through strategic resource allocation, we strive to assist as many individuals as possible facing civil legal crises.
Services
Family Law
Housing Preservation
Public Benefits
Consumer Rights
Healthcare Access
Elder Legal Services
Eviction Defense
Domestic Violence Cases
Income Maintenance
Community Education
Highlights and features
- We provide free legal representation to eligible low-income individuals
- Our staff specializes in critical civil legal matters affecting vulnerable populations
- We serve 13 Michigan counties with localized legal expertise
- We offer comprehensive services from document preparation to court representation
- Our organization complies with strict non-discrimination policies
Services
Family Law
We handle family law matters including domestic violence protection orders, divorce proceedings, and child custody cases. Our attorneys help survivors of domestic violence secure safe housing arrangements for their families. We work to maintain stable custodial environments for children facing potential displacement.
Housing Preservation
Our housing specialists assist clients facing imminent homelessness through eviction defense and foreclosure prevention. We advocate for improved low-income housing availability and safety standards. Services include court representation and negotiation with landlords or mortgage providers to prevent displacement.
Public Benefits
We help clients maintain essential income sources through public benefits advocacy. Our services include defending against benefit terminations, assisting with applications for emergency relief programs, and resolving issues with unemployment or disability benefits. We also help restore driver's licenses to maintain employment access.
Consumer Rights
Our consumer law team protects clients from unfair debt collection practices and credit reporting errors. We assist with bankruptcy filings and contract disputes. We help clients defend against illegal garnishments and protect essential personal property from seizure.
Healthcare Access
We help clients secure necessary medical coverage through Medicaid, Medicare, and county health plans. Our attorneys assist with insurance disputes and appeals for denied medical claims. We work to ensure low-income individuals receive appropriate healthcare services and coverage.
Questions
What income level qualifies for free legal services?
Household income must be below 125% of the federal poverty level, though some cases with incomes up to 200% may qualify based on specific circumstances and expenses.
What types of legal cases do you handle?
We specialize in civil legal matters including family law, housing preservation, public benefits advocacy, consumer rights, and healthcare access cases for low-income individuals.
Do you help with criminal cases?
No, we cannot accept criminal cases or civil cases that generate fees. Our services are limited to qualifying civil legal matters for eligible clients.
Are services available for seniors?
Yes, we have specialized programs for older adults in 11 Michigan counties, addressing unique legal challenges faced by senior citizens with low income.
