Elder Law and Advocacy Center

The Elder Law and Advocacy Center (ELAC), a division of Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan, has spent more than 25 years providing free civil legal assistance and education to older adults in Wayne County. For seniors facing legal problems they cannot afford to address, and for the caregivers helping them, ELAC is a trusted, no-cost resource.

ELAC offers civil legal services to qualifying seniors and delivers legal education and elder-abuse-prevention training through partnerships with community organizations and care facilities. Its flagship “First Tuesdays” program serves an estimated 50 to 100 clients each month, providing legal help and guidance. Services are free, made possible by grant funding from partners including the Michigan aging-services network, The Senior Alliance, the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, and Area Agency on Aging 1-B. Eligibility is straightforward: clients must be Wayne County residents aged 60 and older.

This resource matters because legal issues — from consumer disputes and benefits problems to elder abuse and exploitation — can be overwhelming and expensive, and seniors on fixed incomes are especially vulnerable. Free, specialized elder-law help levels the playing field and protects older adults’ rights, finances, and safety. ELAC’s emphasis on elder-abuse-prevention education is particularly valuable given how often financial and other exploitation goes unreported. For Wayne County seniors and their caregivers, ELAC is an essential ally; contact the center directly at (313) 937-8291 to learn what help is available.