Michigan Legal Help Program (Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services)

In 75% of civil cases in state court, at least one side does not have an attorney. The Michigan Legal Help Program (MLH) works to address this inequity by democratizing access to legal information and working to make the court process more accessible for people navigating legal issues without a lawyer. MLH operates the nationally-recognized Michigan Legal Help website, which is used by over 2 million people each year, and provides:

• Free, accessible legal information to people representing themselves in Michigan
• Automated tools to help people fill out court forms
• Step-by-step instructions that break down court rules to help people handle their legal problems from start to finish
• Personalized referral resources

MLH also provides technical assistance and program support to libraries, courts, and other community organizations that have programs to assist members of their community with their legal issues.

MLH is a program within Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal services to Michigan’s low-income residents, Michigan’s immigrant communities, and seniors, through several statewide programs. MSAS is administered by the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP), which provides access to the justice system for those who need it the most through civil legal aid offices and statewide advocacy programs.