Michigan Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
Going to family court in Michigan without a lawyer is common, and you do not have to figure it out alone. The court runs free help for people representing themselves, and nonprofit legal aid offices give free legal help to parents who qualify. Below, every county in Michigan gets no more than two places to call, both checked in September 2026.
Statewide: Self-Represented Litigants. The state courts' own hub for people representing themselves, which points people to Michigan Legal Help as the state's self-help resource.
Statewide: Michigan Legal Help. Statewide self-help site with plain-language legal information, court forms, and a directory that finds the local self-help center for each county.
Alcona County: court help from Alcona County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Harrisville and Lincoln.
Alger County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Chatham and Munising.
Allegan County: court help from Allegan County Legal Assistance Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Allegan, Douglas, Fennville, Holland, Hopkins, Martin, Otsego, Plainwell, Saugatuck, South Haven, and Wayland.
Alpena County: court help from Alpena County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Alpena and Hillman.
Antrim County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Bellaire, Central Lake, Elk Rapids, Ellsworth, and Mancelona.
Arenac County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Au Gres, Omer, Standish, Sterling, Turner, and Twining.
Baraga County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Baraga and L'Anse.
Barry County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Freeport, Hastings, Middleville, Nashville, and Woodland.
Bay County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Auburn, Bay City, Essexville, Midland, and Pinconning.
Benzie County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Benzonia, Beulah, Elberta, Frankfort, Honor, Lake Ann, and Thompsonville.
Berrien County: court help from Self-Help Legal Resource Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Baroda, Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, Bridgman, Buchanan, Coloma, Eau Claire, Galien, Grand Beach, Michiana, New Buffalo, and Niles.
Branch County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Bronson, Coldwater, Quincy, Sherwood, and Union City.
Calhoun County: court help from Calhoun County Legal Self-Help Center Network. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Albion, Athens, Battle Creek, Burlington, Homer, Marshall, Springfield, Tekonsha, and Union City.
Cass County: court help from Cass County Legal Self-Help Center Network. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg, Marcellus, Niles, and Vandalia.
Charlevoix County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Charlevoix, and East Jordan.
Cheboygan County: court help from Cheboygan County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Cheboygan, Mackinaw City, and Wolverine.
Chippewa County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers De Tour Village and Sault Ste. Marie.
Clare County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Clare, Farwell, and Harrison.
Clinton County: court help from Clinton County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers DeWitt, Eagle, East Lansing, Elsie, Fowler, Grand Ledge, Hubbardston, Lansing, Maple Rapids, Ovid, St. Johns, and Westphalia.
Crawford County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Grayling.
Delta County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Escanaba, Garden, and Gladstone.
Dickinson County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Iron Mountain, Kingsford, and Norway.
Eaton County: court help from Eaton County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Bellevue, Charlotte, Dimondale, Eaton Rapids, Grand Ledge, Lansing, Mulliken, Olivet, Potterville, Sunfield, and Vermontville.
Emmet County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Alanson, Harbor Springs, Mackinaw City, Pellston, and Petoskey.
Genesee County: court help from Genesee County Legal Resource Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Burton, Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Flushing, Gaines, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Lennon, Linden, and Montrose.
Gladwin County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Beaverton and Gladwin.
Gogebic County: court help from Gogebic County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Bessemer, Ironwood, and Wakefield.
Grand Traverse County: court help from Grand Traverse County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Fife Lake, Kingsley, and Traverse City.
Gratiot County: court help from Gratiot County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Alma, Ashley, Breckenridge, Ithaca, Perrinton, and St. Louis.
Hillsdale County: court help from Hillsdale County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Allen, Camden, Hillsdale, Jonesville, Litchfield, Montgomery, North Adams, Reading, and Waldron.
Houghton County: court help from Houghton County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Calumet, Copper City, Hancock, Houghton, Lake Linden, Laurium, and South Range.
Huron County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Bad Axe, Caseville, Elkton, Harbor Beach, Kinde, Owendale, Pigeon, Port Austin, Port Hope, Sebewaing, and Ubly.
Ingham County: court help from Ingham County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Dansville, East Lansing, Lansing, Leslie, Mason, Stockbridge, Webberville, and Williamston.
Ionia County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Belding, Clarksville, Hubbardston, Ionia, Lake Odessa, Lyons, Muir, Pewamo, Portland, and Saranac.
Iosco County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers East Tawas, Tawas City, and Whittemore.
Iron County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Alpha, Caspian, Crystal Falls, Gaastra, and Iron River.
Isabella County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Clare, Lake Isabella, Mount Pleasant, Rosebush, and Shepherd.
Jackson County: court help from Jackson County Legal Self-Help Center Network. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Brooklyn, Cement City, Concord, Grass Lake, Hanover, Jackson, Parma, and Springport.
Kalamazoo County: court help from Kalamazoo District Court Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Augusta, Climax, Galesburg, Kalamazoo, Parchment, Portage, Richland, Schoolcraft, and Vicksburg.
Kalkaska County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Kalkaska.
Kent County: court help from Legal Assistance Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Caledonia, Casnovia, Cedar Springs, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kent City, Kentwood, Lowell, Rockford, Sand Lake, and Sparta.
Keweenaw County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Ahmeek.
Lake County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Baldwin and Luther.
Lapeer County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Almont, Brown City, Clifford, Columbiaville, Dryden, Imlay City, Lapeer, Metamora, North Branch, and Otter Lake.
Leelanau County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Empire, Northport, Suttons Bay, and Traverse City.
Lenawee County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Addison, Adrian, Blissfield, Britton, Cement City, Clayton, Clinton, Deerfield, Hudson, Morenci, Onsted, and Tecumseh.
Livingston County: court help from Livingston County Legal Self-Help Center Network. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Brighton, Fenton, Fowlerville, Howell, and Pinckney.
Luce County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Newberry.
Mackinac County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Mackinac Island and St. Ignace.
Macomb County: court help from Macomb County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Lakeshore Legal Aid, phone (888) 783-8190. Covers Armada, Center Line, Eastpointe, Fraser, Memphis, Mount Clemens, New Baltimore, New Haven, Richmond, Romeo, Roseville, and St. Clair Shores.
Manistee County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Bear Lake, Copemish, Eastlake, Kaleva, Manistee, and Onekama.
Marquette County: court help from Marquette County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Ishpeming, Marquette, and Negaunee.
Mason County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Custer, Fountain, Free Soil, Ludington, and Scottville.
Mecosta County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Barryton, Big Rapids, Mecosta, Morley, and Stanwood.
Menominee County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Carney, Daggett, Menominee, Powers, and Stephenson.
Midland County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Coleman, Midland, and Sanford.
Missaukee County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Lake City and McBain.
Monroe County: court help from Monroe County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Carleton, Dundee, Estral Beach, Flat Rock, Luna Pier, Maybee, Milan, Monroe, Petersburg, and South Rockwood.
Montcalm County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Carson City, Edmore, Greenville, Howard City, Lakeview, McBride, Pierson, Sheridan, and Stanton.
Montmorency County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Hillman.
Muskegon County: court help from Muskegon County Legal Self-Help Centers. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Casnovia, Fruitport, Lakewood Club, Montague, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, North Muskegon, Norton Shores, Ravenna, Roosevelt Park, and Whitehall.
Newaygo County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo, and White Cloud.
Oakland County: court help from Oakland County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Lakeshore Legal Aid, phone (888) 783-8190. Covers Auburn Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Fenton, Ferndale, and Franklin.
Oceana County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Hart, Hesperia, New Era, Pentwater, Rothbury, Shelby, and Walkerville.
Ogemaw County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Prescott, Rose City, and West Branch.
Ontonagon County: court help from Ontonagon County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Ontonagon.
Osceola County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Evart, Hersey, Le Roy, Marion, Reed City, and Tustin.
Oscoda County: court help from Oscoda County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Mio.
Otsego County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Gaylord and Vanderbilt.
Ottawa County: court help from Ottawa County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Coopersville, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Holland, Hudsonville, Spring Lake, and Zeeland.
Presque Isle County: court help from Presque Isle County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Millersburg, Onaway, Posen, and Rogers City.
Roscommon County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Roscommon.
Saginaw County: court help from Saginaw County Legal Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Birch Run, Chesaning, Frankenmuth, Merrill, Oakley, Reese, Saginaw, St. Charles, and Zilwaukee.
St. Clair County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Algonac, Capac, Emmett, Marine City, Marysville, Memphis, Port Huron, Richmond, St. Clair, and Yale.
St. Joseph County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Sturgis, Three Rivers, and White Pigeon.
Sanilac County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Applegate, Brown City, Carsonville, Croswell, Deckerville, Forestville, Lexington, Marlette, Melvin, Minden City, Peck, and Port Sanilac.
Schoolcraft County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Manistique.
Shiawassee County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Bancroft, Byron, Corunna, Durand, Laingsburg, Lennon, Morrice, New Lothrop, Owosso, Perry, and Vernon.
Tuscola County: court help from Tuscola County Legal Self-Help Center Network. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, phone (800) 322-4512. Covers Akron, Caro, Cass City, Fairgrove, Gagetown, Kingston, Mayville, Millington, Reese, Unionville, and Vassar.
Van Buren County: court help from Van Buren County Legal Self-Help Center Network. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, phone (616) 774-0672. Covers Bangor, Bloomingdale, Breedsville, Decatur, Gobles, Hartford, Lawrence, Lawton, Mattawan, Paw Paw, and South Haven.
Washtenaw County: court help from Washtenaw County/EMU Legal Resource Center. Free legal aid from Michigan Advocacy Program, phone (734) 665-6181. Covers Ann Arbor, Barton Hills, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline, and Ypsilanti.
Wayne County: court help from 3rd Circuit Court Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Lakeshore Legal Aid, phone (888) 783-8190. Covers Allen Park, Belleville, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Garden City, Gibraltar, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Grosse Pointe Park.
Wexford County: court help from Self-Represented Litigants. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern Michigan, phone (800) 872-8432, email legsernm@lsnm.org. Covers Buckley, Cadillac, Harrietta, Manton, and Mesick.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Michigan without a lawyer? Start with Self-Represented Litigants, run by Michigan Supreme Court / State Court Administrative Office. 34 of 83 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program, and Lakeshore Legal Aid if you qualify by income.
Does every Michigan county have its own self-help center? No. 34 of 83 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Self-Represented Litigants, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Michigan.
Who gives free legal aid in Michigan? Michigan is served by 5 federally funded legal aid offices: Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program, and Lakeshore Legal Aid. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.
What is a court self-help center? It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.
What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid? A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.
What should I have ready before I call? Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Michigan without a lawyer?
Start with Self-Represented Litigants, run by Michigan Supreme Court / State Court Administrative Office. 34 of 83 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program, and Lakeshore Legal Aid if you qualify by income.
Does every Michigan county have its own self-help center?
No. 34 of 83 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Self-Represented Litigants, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Michigan.
Who gives free legal aid in Michigan?
Michigan is served by 5 federally funded legal aid offices: Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program, and Lakeshore Legal Aid. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.
What is a court self-help center?
It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.
What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid?
A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.
What should I have ready before I call?
Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.