Legal Assistance Center helps in civil cases

The Allegan County Legal Assistance Center is a grant- and donation-funded initiative specifically targeting those Allegan County residents needing assistance with the legal process, but who cannot afford an attorney.

Laketown Township approved $1,725 for the group in 2024.

The main goal of the center is to minimize the impact on justice involving children, victims of crime, and people with disabilities caused by inadequate paperwork, untimely filings, or confusion about service and notice requirements.

By providing legal assistance to self-represented litigants to facilitate access to the court system, the center affords the residents of Allegan County, specifically targeting low-income families, access to justice in civil proceedings including divorce, child custody, parenting time, personal protection orders, landlord-tenant disputes, guardianships, and other non-criminal matters.

Legal Assistance Center services are free, but patrons may be charged a nominal fee for copying and printing.

Under the direction of the Allegan County Legal Assistance Center’s Navigator/Coordinator, volunteers are responsible for providing legal information to residents of Allegan County who are representing themselves in a civil action. The center does not provide assistance with criminal matters and the volunteers will not give legal advice to anyone.

Location and hours

The Allegan County Legal Assistance Center is in the lower level of the Allegan County Courthouse building in downtown Allegan. The public entrance to the courthouse is off Hubbard Street between Walnut and Chestnut streets.

Hours are Monday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last patron assisted 30 minutes prior to closing.

For more information, visit here.