About this resource
Michigan Legal Help is a free statewide website that gives Michigan residents the information, forms, and tools they need to handle common legal problems on their own. For caregivers and families facing end-of-life issues, it is an especially valuable starting point, with plain-language guidance on wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, end-of-life planning, and what happens to property after someone dies.
The site organizes more than fifteen legal topics — from estate planning and disability planning to housing, family law, and public benefits — into a searchable resource library of articles, step-by-step instructions, and court-ready forms. Its signature “Guide to Legal Help” tool asks a few questions about your situation and income, then points you to the resources, do-it-yourself forms, self-help centers, or lawyer referrals that fit your circumstances.
This resource matters because legal tasks often surface at the hardest moments — when a loved one is declining, has lost capacity, or has died — and hiring an attorney is not always affordable or necessary. Michigan Legal Help empowers caregivers to put essential documents in place before a crisis and to settle affairs afterward with confidence. Self-Help Centers located in courthouses throughout Michigan offer in-person assistance for those who want a hand completing forms. The site is free and open to anyone with a Michigan legal issue, though it is careful to note that it provides legal information, not legal advice, and is not a substitute for a lawyer when one is truly needed.
What you'll get from this resource
- Michigan Legal Help is a free statewide resource covering wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, end-of-life planning, and estate matters.
- The “Guide to Legal Help” tool tailors recommendations — forms, articles, or referrals — based on your situation and income.
- Courthouse-based Self-Help Centers across Michigan offer in-person help completing legal forms.
- It provides legal information and DIY tools, not legal advice, and is not a substitute for an attorney in complex cases.
Frequently asked questions
No. The website is completely free, and anyone with a Michigan legal issue can use its articles, tools, and forms.
It addresses wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, end-of-life and disability planning, and how property is distributed after a person dies.
The site offers do-it-yourself forms and instructions, and courthouse Self-Help Centers provide in-person assistance, but it does not act as your attorney or give legal advice.
For many routine matters you can proceed on your own, but the site recommends consulting a lawyer for complicated situations and offers referral connections.
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