Website gives Michiganders free legal information, forms

A new legal self-help website, www.michigan legalhelp. org, offers information and many resources for Michigan residents who need to represent themselves in simple civil legal matters. The Michigan Legal Help website is part of a pilot project overseen by the Solutions on Self-Help Task Force. The Task Force was established in 2010 by (then) Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly to improve and coordinate resources for self-represented persons. "We are very pleased that the website will provide information to help people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer to handle basic legal problems," said Kelly. Michigan Legal Help is funded by the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the Legal Services Corporation. "This website will also benefit the courts because more self-represented litigants will be better prepared when they go to court. It will also assist many members of the public who ask the courts for information on legal processes and help users who need lawyers find a local attorney," said State Court Administrator Chad Schmucker. Angela Tripp is the website project director for the Michigan Poverty Law Program. "The website is not a substitute for hiring a lawyer," Tripp said. "It provides information, not legal advice, and many other states have similar resources. The Michigan website is modeled on an Illinois website that has operated successfully for more than a decade." The website was created to make legal information easier to understand and to show people how to navigate the court system properly and efficiently. The website can also help users look for a lawyer or legal self-help center in their area if they need more assistance. The website contains articles explaining specific areas of law, toolkits, forms and instructional checklists to help prepare people who represent themselves in court. Many court forms can be filled out online using a simple question and answer interview. The website also includes information about local community services and details about the court(s) where a website visitor's legal issue may be handled. The housing section, for instance, deals with leases, security deposits, landlord/tenant issues, mobile homes, eviction and subsidized housing. Expungement provides information about setting aside a criminal conviction. Visit www.michiganlegalhelp.org to view the website. Published: Thu, Aug 23, 2012

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