Welcome to the Legal Assistance Center

Our Services
The LAC is open to walk-in patrons Tuesday-Friday 8:30-5.
The LAC can assist you with a variety of non-criminal matters, including:

* Divorce
* Child Support
* Parenting Time
* Custody
* Paternity

* Landlord-Tenant
* Small Claims
* Court-Fee Waivers
* Judgment Collection

You can Help - Donate to the LAC

Need for Legal Self Help

Legal issues touch the lives of ordinary people now more than ever, but there is a growing gap between those who can afford legal representation and those who qualify for free legal representation in civil cases. In 2011 the Legal Assistance Center served 16,000 people, primarily those who have no choice but to represent themselves. By helping individuals resolve disputes using the courts, the LAC makes the lives of children, families and the community stronger and more stable.

Help Support the LAC

The Legal Assistance Center is an independent, community supported nonprofit organization. Your gift in support of the LAC is essential to continuing to provide legal self-help services. You can give online using the donate button below. Lawyers can give through State Bar of Michigan Access to Justice Fund, designated to the LAC. The LAC is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Welcome to the Legal Assistance Center

The Legal Assistance Center is a walk in legal self help center open to the public Tuesday to Friday each week from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

The LAC can help with family law matters including divorce, custody, paternity, support, and parenting time, landlord tenant matters including evictions and security deposits, consumer collections including garnishments and payment plans, small claims, and probate matters including guardianship.

LAC staff and volunteers do not give legal advice or representation but can provide information, forms, resources, instructions, and referrals to other legal and non-legal agencies to help patrons help themselves with legal questions and court cases. Each patron will receive an individual assessment and support specific to their needs. Packets with forms and instructions for divorce, custody and paternity cases are available at a maximum cost of $25. Most forms and resources are free. Notaries are available and copies can be made for a modest cost.

The LAC is located on the 5th Floor of the Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 (corner of Ottawa Avenue and Lyon Street).