Free legal information, aid organizations, and court resources for residents of Michigan. Know your rights and find help.
Statewide online resource providing legal information, self-help tools, and referrals to legal aid programs.
Visit Website →Provides free civil legal services to low-income residents in western Michigan covering housing, family, and benefits.
Visit Website →Serves low-income residents in southeast Michigan with free legal assistance in housing, consumer, family, and employment matters.
Visit Website →Provides free legal representation to low-income residents statewide, with special focus on public benefits, housing, and consumer issues.
Visit Website →Serves low-income residents in metropolitan Detroit with free civil legal services and criminal defense.
Visit Website →Defends civil liberties through litigation and advocacy on racial justice, criminal justice reform, and voting rights.
Visit Website →The Supreme Court of Michigan is the court of last resort with seven justices. The Court of Appeals handles intermediate appeals across four districts. Circuit Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction. District Courts handle lesser civil cases, small claims, and misdemeanors. Probate Courts handle estates, guardianships, and mental health matters.
The Supreme Court of Michigan has seven justices and sits in Lansing. The Court of Appeals has 25 judges across four districts. Circuit Courts (57 circuits) serve as general jurisdiction trial courts handling felonies, civil cases over $25,000, and family matters. District Courts handle misdemeanors, civil cases under $25,000, small claims (up to $6,500), and landlord-tenant disputes. Probate Courts handle wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments. The Wayne County Circuit Court (Detroit) is the state's busiest.
Protects tenants from unfair lease provisions and establishes landlord obligations for habitability and security deposits (1.5 months' rent max).
Prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, familial status, and marital status.
Prohibits unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive business practices in trade or commerce under MCL 445.901.
Requires employers with 50+ employees to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year.
Provides for Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) that can be obtained without a filing fee, with provisions for firearms surrender and custody.
Requires employers to provide paid sick time to employees, with full-time workers earning up to 72 hours per year for health and safety needs.
Allows automatic expungement of certain misdemeanors after 7 years and felonies after 10 years if no subsequent convictions, expanding access to employment and housing.
24/7 confidential support for domestic violence victims
1-800-799-7233
Statewide domestic violence support and shelter referrals
1-800-996-6228
Michigan Attorney General consumer complaint line
1-877-765-8388
Call or text 988 for immediate mental health crisis support
988
Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act requires employers to provide paid sick leave, with full-time workers earning up to 72 hours annually.
Michigan's minimum wage increased with planned annual adjustments tied to inflation, reaching $12.48/hour for tipped workers.
Michigan's automatic record expungement system is now processing eligible cases, clearing hundreds of thousands of old criminal records.
Statute of Limitations: 3 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 6 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 3 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 2 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 6 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Typical filing fee: $30-$70 (claims up to $6,500)
Small claims court is designed for individuals to resolve minor disputes quickly and affordably without an attorney.
Typical filing fee: $150-$260
Civil court handles larger disputes including personal injury, contract breaches, and property claims. Attorney representation is common.
Typical filing fee: $175-$255
Family court handles divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence matters. Fee waivers are often available for low-income filers.
Online self-help legal tools and referrals for Michigan residents in housing, family, and consumer matters.
Visit Website →Free civil legal services for low-income residents in western Michigan counties.
Visit Website →Serves low-income residents in southeastern Michigan with free legal help in housing, family, and benefits.
Visit Website →Michigan's highest court with seven justices, sitting in Lansing. Handles discretionary appeals and establishes rules for all Michigan courts.
Visit Court Website →Twenty-five judges across four districts handling intermediate appeals from Circuit Courts. Access case searches, opinions, and filing procedures.
Visit Court Website →Circuit Courts (57 circuits) handle major civil and criminal cases. District Courts handle smaller civil claims, misdemeanors, and landlord-tenant disputes.
Find Your Local Court →Truth in Renting Act. Protects tenants from unfair lease provisions and void clauses. Combined with MCL §554.601a, limits security deposits to 1.5 months' rent and governs return timelines.
Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. Amended in 2023 to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes.
Michigan Consumer Protection Act. Prohibits unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive business practices in trade or commerce, with private right of action for actual damages and attorney fees.
Personal Protection Orders. Authorizes PPOs for domestic violence victims and stalking victims, available without a filing fee, with provisions for firearms surrender and no-contact.
Michigan Clean Slate Law. Automatic expungement of qualifying misdemeanors after 7 years and felonies after 10 years, expanding access to employment, housing, and education.
Statewide online resource providing free legal information, interactive court forms, and referrals to legal aid programs throughout Michigan.
Visit Website →Provides training, support, and resources to legal aid attorneys statewide, focusing on systemic advocacy for low-income Michigan residents.
Visit Website →Free civil legal services for low-income residents in mid-Michigan covering housing, public benefits, consumer matters, and family law.
Visit Website →The Michigan AG's Consumer Protection Division investigates complaints about scams, deceptive business practices, identity theft, and data breaches. The office also handles lemon law complaints and maintains a Do Not Call list.
Phone: (877) 765-8388
Online Complaints: File at michigan.gov/ag/consumer-protection
Visit AG Consumer Protection →The MDCR enforces the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, investigating complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, and education. The department is a HUD-certified agency and work-shares with the EEOC.
Phone: (800) 482-3604
Filing Deadline: 180 days from the discriminatory act
Visit MDCR Website →