Legal Clinics: Ask A Lawyer

Find Legal Help

The Law Library, in partnership with the Kalamazoo County Bar Association, offers monthly Legal Clinics that provide up to 45 minutes with a lawyer for patrons who meet income guidelines. Attorneys may answer questions about your legal situation, but they will not take on your case, represent you in court, or answer follow-up questions later. Registration is required.

The Law Library sponsors a Civil Law Clinic and a Family Law Clinic.

For other legal issues, please see the Other Local Legal Clinics that are not sponsored by the Law Library.

Civil Law Clinic

Civil Law Legal Clinics are on the second Thursday of each month.

Volunteer attorneys can help with landlord/tenant matters, employment issues, garnishments, and small claims paperwork.

These clinics are by appointment only. Register by calling the Law Library at (269) 553-7920.

Family Law Clinic

Family Law Legal Clinics are on the third Thursday of each month.

Volunteer attorneys can help with family legal issues such as divorce, custody, child support, and paternity, among others.

These clinics are by appointment only. Register by calling the Law Library at (269) 553-7920.

Please note:

• Attorneys are volunteering their time and expertise and the Law Library may not always have a volunteer able to assist with your specific legal concern.
• Clinic slots tend to fill up fast
• Because clinic lawyers counsel their clients on many different legal concerns, your attorney may not regularly help people with your particular need.
• The law library cannot guarantee that your lawyer will be able to help you resolve your legal problem.
• There are many legal topics that are better addressed by searching for an attorney that practices in the area of law that you are interested in.

These clinics are intended for lower income persons who are not able to afford the full cost of hiring an attorney. For these clinics, “lower income” follows the 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines (200%) as published by the State Bar of Michigan:

You may attend one clinic every five months (a total of two times per year). Patrons who do not show up for their appointment will be eligible to sign up again after five months. These clinics are intended for individuals who have not consulted with an attorney and cannot afford to do so.

Other Local Legal Clinics

These legal clinics are not sponsored by the Law Library.

Landlord/Tenant or Consumer Cases (with court date scheduled)

Legal Aid Eviction Hearings, 8th District Court (330 Eleanor Street, Kalamazoo)

• • Mondays from 8:30am to 11:00am
  • Walk-in (for court hearings on the docket that day)
  • Contact: 269-344-8113 (Kalamazoo Legal Aid)
  • Consultation and information about applying for assistance. Please contact the office before the court date!

Estates, Wills, Guardianships, and Conservatorships

Estate Planning Clinics

• • June 24, 4:00pm at the Kalamazoo Public Library Central Branch (315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo)
  • Register or just show up! To register, call Legal Aid: 616-928-9899
  • Get help with Wills, Powers of Attorney, Transfer on Death (“Lady Bird”) deeds
  • Attend the information session, and for those who meet eligibility criteria, have a one-on-one meeting with an attorney about your estate planning needs

Probate Clinic, Gull Road Justice Complex (1536 Gull Road, Kalamazoo)

• • First and third Tuesday of each month from 9:00am to Noon (20 minutes per session)
  • Appointment only: make an appointment here
  • Contact: 269-383-8666 (Kalamazoo Probate Court)

Expungement, Driver License Restoration, Criminal Issues

Willis and Willis Law Clinic, held at Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries (448 N. Burdick, Kalamazoo)

• • Last Friday of the month, time at the convenience of the guest
  • Appointment only
  • Contact: 269-345-2974 (Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries)
  • To register: pick up a registration form from Ben at the Kalamazoo Gospel Ministry; fill out and return to Ben before the third Friday of the month
  • No divorce

Personal Protection Orders

PPO Coordinator, Circuit Court Trial Division (330 Eleanor Street, Kalamazoo)

• • Monday through Friday
  • 8:30am, 9:00am, 10:00am, 10:30am, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm
  • Appointment only
  • Contact: 269-385-6081 (PPO Coordinator)
  • The PPO Coordinator interviews petitioners to assess their needs, assists with processing paperwork, and will often refer petitioners to local agencies for assistance

YWCA Legal Advocates, Circuit Court Trial Division (330 Eleanor Street, Kalamazoo)

• • Contact: 269-910-0190 (YWCA legal department)
  • Contact: 269-385-3587 and ask for a legal referral to be sent for a PPO application.
  • YWCA Services for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking Survivors

If you do not see a legal clinic for your issue, you may be able to find free and low-cost legal assistance through other resources.