Laketown residents using Legal Assistance Center

Agency helps with civil cases, divorces, landlord-tenant disputes.

Laketown Township residents are using the services of the Allegan County Legal Assistance Center.

Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Bakker addressed the township board on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and explained how the free service started in 2012 to meet the needs of domestic violence victims and divorce issues.

“We’re helping people get the work done they need to get done,” Bakker said. “It’s an incredible organization. We have incredible support in the community. Laketown Township is part of that.”

Laketown has financially contributed to the group since 2019. In 2024, the township approved $1,725. The board will consider the funding again next month.

“Thank you for being one of the first townships to support the Legal Assistance Center in 2019,” said Linda Teeter, director of finance and fundraising for the center. “We’re glad word is getting out.”

Laketown numbers

The Legal Assistance Center has assisted 27 Laketown residents from Jan. 3, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

Most cases have been related to divorces (55.5 percent) followed by custody cases (11.1 percent) and civil issues (11.1 percent). Other reasons residents have used the center include landlord-tenant disputes (3.7 percent), expungement (3.7 percent) and attorney referral (3.7 percent).

Most of the Laketown residents are between 31 to 40 years old (37 percent) followed by 41 to 50 years old (25.9 percent).

By income, Laketown residents who use the agency make $50,001 or more (54.5 percent) and $40,001 to $50,000 (18.2 percent) and $30,001 to $40,000 (18.2 percent).

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.

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.