Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Detroit, MI — including verified providers, eligibility rules, and how residents can prepare before reaching out.
Legal Aid in Detroit, MI: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Detroit and need civil legal help but cannot afford a private attorney, several organizations serve Wayne County with free or low-cost legal assistance. These providers help with eviction defense, housing conditions, domestic violence, family law, debt collection, foreclosure, public benefits, elder law, and more. Even if full representation isn’t available, many offer brief advice, hotlines, clinics, or self-help resources. (Residents may also upload legal documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Detroit
Legal Aid and Defender Association (LAD)
What they do: LAD is one of the largest providers of civil legal services in the region. They assist with eviction defense, unsafe housing, debt collection, domestic violence, public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI), and limited family-law matters. They also support returning citizens and offer help with record expungement.
Contact: Phone: (313) 967-5555. Website: ladadetroit.org.
Lakeshore Legal Aid
What they do: Provides free civil legal services across Southeast Michigan. They help with eviction defense, foreclosure prevention, seniors’ rights, consumer protection, domestic violence, and elder law issues.
Contact: Phone: (888) 783-8190. Website: lakeshorelegalaid.org.
Michigan Legal Help — Statewide Self-Help Center
What they do: Offers free legal information, DIY forms, and step-by-step guides for housing, family law, debt, consumer issues, small claims, and protection orders. This is one of the most robust self-help systems in the country.
Website: michiganlegalhelp.org.
Wayne County Friend of the Court — Family Law Support
What they do: Assists with child support, custody, and parenting time administrative processes. They do not provide legal advice but can help residents navigate filings and procedures.
Website: 3rdcc.org.
First Step — Domestic Violence Services
What they do: Provides domestic violence and sexual assault shelter, counseling, advocacy, and help filing Personal Protection Orders (PPOs).
24/7 Hotline: (734) 722-6800. Website: firststep-mi.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Detroit
- Evictions and landlord/tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing
- Debt collection, garnishment, repossession, consumer fraud
- Foreclosure prevention and mortgage issues
- Domestic violence, stalking, and Personal Protection Orders
- Family law: custody, child support, parenting time, divorce (limited eligibility)
- Public benefits: SNAP, Medicaid, SSDI/SSI, unemployment
- Elder law: exploitation, benefits, housing, guardianship
- Record expungement and reentry support
What Legal Aid Usually Does Not Handle
- Criminal defense (felonies, misdemeanors, DUI)
- Large business or commercial litigation
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Immigration court representation (detention or removal)
When Detroit Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court summons: Act quickly — Michigan eviction timelines move fast.
- You are experiencing domestic violence: Contact First Step’s 24/7 hotline immediately.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment paperwork: Keep every document and seek help promptly.
- Your benefits are denied or reduced: Many appeals must be filed within 10–30 days.
- You have an upcoming court hearing: Early contact increases the chance of assistance.
How to Prepare Before Calling or Applying
- Gather documents: leases, notices, court papers, debt-collection letters, pay stubs, ID, photos of housing conditions, medical paperwork, benefits denials, police reports.
- Create a simple timeline: include important dates (notices, incidents, payments, communications).
- Prepare income & household information: required for eligibility.
- Write a short summary: 2–3 sentences describing the issue and the type of help you need.
- Highlight urgent issues: domestic violence, homelessness risk, disabilities, elderly members, upcoming hearings.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Michigan Legal Help: free self-help tools and forms for common legal issues.
- Low-cost or limited-scope attorneys: many Detroit-area lawyers offer reduced-fee help.
- Lawyer Referral Service (State Bar of Michigan): connects residents with attorneys for low-cost consultations.
- LegalClarity document-explainer tool: upload documents for a plain-language explanation — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Detroit Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Detroit and cannot afford a lawyer, begin with Legal Aid and Defender Association at (313) 967-5555. For senior issues, domestic violence, or housing emergencies, Lakeshore Legal Aid and First Step provide essential support. When you simply need help understanding your legal documents, your LegalClarity upload tool offers plain-English explanations — informational only, not legal advice.