Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Clinton Township, MI — including verified providers, who they help, what cases they handle, and how to prepare before reaching out.
Legal Aid in Clinton Township, MI: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Clinton Township and need civil-legal help but cannot afford a private attorney, several organizations serving Macomb County offer free or low-cost legal services. These groups help with eviction defense, housing problems, domestic violence, family law, consumer and debt issues, elder law, and public-benefits disputes. Even if they cannot take your case, most provide brief advice, helplines, clinics, or self-help tools. (You can also upload documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Clinton Township
Lakeshore Legal Aid
What they do: Lakeshore Legal Aid is the primary legal-aid provider for residents of Clinton Township and greater Macomb County. They assist with eviction defense, landlord/tenant issues, unsafe housing, foreclosure prevention, domestic violence, senior legal needs, debt collection, consumer protection, and public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI).
Contact: Phone: (888) 783-8190. Website: lakeshorelegalaid.org.
Michigan Legal Help — Statewide Self-Help Resource
What they do: Provides DIY legal forms and easy-to-follow guides for eviction, divorce, custody, child support, debt collection, small claims, and Personal Protection Orders (PPOs).
Website: michiganlegalhelp.org.
Turning Point — Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Support
What they do: Offers shelter, crisis counseling, court advocacy, and help filing PPOs. While they do not offer full legal representation, they guide survivors through PPO and safety-planning processes.
24/7 Crisis Line: (586) 463-6990. Website: turningpointmacomb.org.
Macomb County Friend of the Court
What they do: Helps with child support, custody, and parenting-time procedures. They provide forms and filing instructions but do not offer legal advice.
Website: foc.macombgov.org.
State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service
What they do: Connects residents with private attorneys who offer low-cost initial consultations when legal aid cannot take a case or the issue falls outside their scope.
Website: lrs.michbar.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Clinton Township
- Evictions and landlord/tenant disputes
- Unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions
- Foreclosure prevention and mortgage problems
- Debt collection, garnishment, repossession, and consumer fraud
- Domestic violence, stalking, and Personal Protection Orders
- Family law: custody, child support, parenting time, divorce (limited eligibility)
- Public benefits: Medicaid, SNAP, SSI/SSDI, unemployment
- Elder law: guardianship, exploitation, long-term care issues
What Legal Aid Usually Does Not Handle
- Criminal defense (felonies, misdemeanors, DUI)
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial disputes
- Immigration detention or removal cases
When Clinton Township Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court date: Michigan eviction timelines move fast — contact legal aid right away.
- You experience domestic violence: Turning Point’s hotline provides immediate support and PPO assistance.
- You receive garnishment or debt-collection paperwork: deadlines are short — keep every document.
- Your public benefits are denied or stopped: appeals must be filed before the printed deadline.
- You have an upcoming hearing: contacting legal aid early increases the chances of getting help.
How to Prepare Before Calling or Applying
- Gather documents: leases, court papers, eviction notices, benefit letters, debt-collection documents, ID, pay stubs, photos of unsafe housing, police reports.
- Create a timeline: list important events such as notices, payments, conversations, or incidents.
- Prepare income & household information: legal-aid screening requires these details.
- Write a short summary: 2–3 sentences describing your issue and the help you're seeking.
- Highlight urgent issues: homelessness risk, domestic violence, disability, elderly or children involved, upcoming court dates.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Michigan Legal Help: free self-help forms and guides for many civil issues.
- State Bar Lawyer Referral: low-cost consultations with private attorneys.
- Limited-scope attorneys: many Macomb County lawyers offer affordable limited representation.
- LegalClarity document-explainer tool: upload legal paperwork for a plain-language explanation — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Clinton Township Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Clinton Township and can't afford a lawyer, start by contacting Lakeshore Legal Aid at (888) 783-8190. For domestic violence emergencies, Turning Point's 24/7 hotline provides immediate support and PPO help. If legal aid cannot take your case, Michigan Legal Help, lawyer referral services, and the LegalClarity upload tool can help you understand your documents — informational only, not legal advice.