Residents of Mid-Michigan now have a new place to go for legal help: the Eaton County Legal Self-Help Center – A Michigan Legal Help Partner, at the Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Dr. The center offers support, advocacy, referrals, resources, and education to residents of surrounding areas. The self-help center (SHC) is open to the public during normal library hours: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., seasonally on Sundays noon to 4 p.m.
The center will be a part of the Mid-Michigan Legal Self-Help Center Network with the Ingham County Legal Self-Help Center, located in the State of Michigan Law Library, and the Clinton County Legal Self-Help Center scheduled to open in the first half of 2023. Residents may access whichever center is most convenient for them.
The Eaton County Legal Self-Help Center is the twenty-sixth SHC to open in the statewide network. Visitors can use the Michigan Legal Help (MLH) website in English (MichiganLegalHelp.org) or Spanish (AyudaLegaldeMichigan.org). Library staff –“Navigators”— cannot give legal advice, but can answer questions about court practices and processes, help visitors locate and complete court-approved forms available on the website, and find referrals to lawyers and community service providers.
A non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people to participate in the justice system. This program consists of two major components: the MichiganLegalHelp.org website and the “brick-and-mortar” Michigan Legal Help Self-Help Centers located across the state. These centers provide visitors with access to high-speed internet, computers, printers, and assistance during certain hours of operation.
Visitors can obtain free information from the MLH website with toolkits that contain articles, answers to common questions, and court-approved forms. The Do-It-Yourself forms can be filled out online using a simple question-and-answer interview format. The Guide to Legal Help can help visitors look for a lawyer. It can also provide information about local community services and details about the court(s).
The MLH website has legal information about family law matters; personal safety; housing issues; money and debt; public assistance; income tax; crime, traffic, and ID; employment; end of life planning; education; immigration; farmworker issues; and going to court. In addition to Self-Help Centers, the Michigan Legal Help Program collaborates with lawyers, court personnel, librarians, community organizations, and volunteers.
The Michigan Legal Help Program is funded by the Michigan State Bar Foundation, the Michigan Supreme Court, and through grants from the Legal Services Corporation.
