Pro Se Information
How To Videos
Instruction Sheets: Filing a Case
Instruction Sheets: Service/Return of Service
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as chatbots and writing assistants, are becoming more common. While these tools can help you understand legal concepts or organize your thoughts, they can also provide incorrect or completely fabricated information.
Important: You Are Responsible for Your Filing
If you use AI to help prepare your documents:
- You are responsible for ensuring everything you submit is accurate
- The Court will rely on your filing as if you prepared it yourself
- Incorrect or false information may harm your case
What AI Can Help You Do
AI can be useful for:
- Explaining legal terms in plain language
- Helping you organize your thoughts
- Drafting outlines or summaries
- Improving grammar or clarity
What AI Should NOT Be Used For
Do not rely on AI to:
- Provide case law or legal citations without verification
- Tell you what the law is in your specific situation
- Replace legal advice from an attorney
AI tools can generate case names and citations that do not exist or misrepresent real cases.
Always Verify Before You File
If your document includes legal citations (cases, statutes, or rules), you must verify them.
Checklist
- Confirm the case says what you claim it says
- Confirm the citation is correct
- Confirm the case exists
Where to Verify
- Court websites
- Public legal research tools (such as Google Scholar)
- Law libraries
Example of a Common Problem
AI may generate something like:
"Smith v. Johnson, 123 F.3d 456 (9th Cir. 2020)"
This case may:
- Not exist at all
- Contain different facts than described
- Not support your argument
If you cannot find the case in a trusted source, do not include it.
Best Practice
Before filing:
- Review everything carefully
- Remove anything you cannot verify
- Make sure the document reflects your actual situation
Reminder
Submitting false or inaccurate information, even unintentionally, may negatively affect your case.
U of D Mercy Law Shool Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Clinic
The U of D Mercy Law School Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Clinic provides free legal assistance, not representation, to low-income pro se litigants (a person who does not have an attorney). Clinic services are not available for incarcerated individuals.
Clinic Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- To make an appointment call 313-234-2690 or email: proseclinic@udmercy.edu
Clinic Services May Include:
- Review of case before or after being filed for federal court jurisdiction
- Explaining legal claims and amending the complaint, if necessary
- Assistance completing forms
- Legal advice regarding the law, court rules and procedures
- Explanation of court orders, court pleadings, and discovery issues
- Limited legal research and assistance with writing motions and responses
- Assistance with preparing for conferences, hearings, settlement conferences, mediations and other court appearances
Clerk's Office staff is available to provide procedural assistance to pro se litigants (a person who does not have an attorney).
- Clerk's Office staff are not lawyers.
- Clerk's Office staff may only answer questions about forms and procedures.
- Clerk's Office staff cannot provide legal advice, legal assistance, complete forms or advocate on your behalf.
Hours
The Clerk's Office is open Monday - Friday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Procedural Assistance May Include:
- Identifying which forms to use and instructions to complete forms
- Case related procedural explanations
- Explaining the case filing process
- Explaining Court procedures
- Providing case status
- Procedural assistance with preparing for conferences, hearings, settlement conferences, mediations and other court appearances
These resources are provided for informational purposes and are not endorsed or supported by the Court
Free Legal Clincs - Low Income
The clinics listed only provide legal assistance and not legal representation
University of Detroit Mercy Law Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Clinic
Where:
Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse
231 W. Lafayette Blvd., Room 738 (7th Floor)
Detroit, MI 48226
When:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Contact:
(313) 234-2690 or proseclinic@udmercy.edu
Detroit Legal Services Clinic
Where:
Detroit Bar Association
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI, 48226
When:
4th Tuesday of the month, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Contact:
(313) 961-6120 or detroitlawyer.org/clinic
The Legal Aid and Defender Association Outreach Clinic
Where:
Oakland County Legal Resources Center, Courthouse West Wing Extension Building 14 East - 2nd Floor
1200 North Telegraph Road
Pontiac, MI 48341
When:
Every other Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Contact:
(248) 858-0012
Participation is on a first come, first served walk-in basis. Attendees may register any time before 3:00 p.m. on the clinic date.
Capuchin Soup Kitchen Legal Clinic
Where:
1264 Meldrum St
Detroit, MI 48207
When:
3rd Thursday of the month - 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Individuals should arrive at 8:30 am, the day of the clinic.
William Booth Legal Aid Clinic
Where:
3737 Lawton St
Detroit, MI 48208
When:
By appointment only - Wednesdays, 1:00-4:30 pm
Contact:
(313) 361-6340
Christian Legal Aid Clinics
Where:
St. Vincent de Paul
46408 Woodward
Pontiac, MI 48342
When:
Tuesday afternoons, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Contact:
(248) 478-4779
MACC Legal
Where:
7900 Mack Avenue
Detroit, MI 48214
When:
1st and 3rd Saturdays
Contact:
Lakeshore Legal Aid Counsel & Advocacy Law Line
When:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am-6:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Legal Aid and Defender Association
Contact:
Wayne County: 877-964-4700 or (313) 967-5800
Oakland County: (248) 253-1548
Macomb County: (586) 465-1344
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan
When:
Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Contact:
888-783-8190 or lsem-mi.org
Must call for intake interview first. Serves Arenac, Bay, Clare, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Lapeer, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair, and Tuscola counties.
Legal Services of South Central Michigan
When:
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm for intake interview
Contact:
Washtenaw County Office Phone: (734) 665-6181 or 1-888-665-6181
Monroe & Lenawee Counties Phone: (734) 241-8310 or 1-888-251-1598
Must call for intake interview first. Have available all documents relating to your legal problem. Serves Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw Counties.
Legal Assistance Hotline
Counsel and Advocacy Law Line (Call)
Contact:
(888) 783-7024
CALL provides legal advice over the phone and free of charge on a wide range of issues.
State Bar of Michigan
Lawyer Referral Program
When:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:45 pm
Contact:
(800) 968-0738
Cost:
$25.00 administrative fee
Clients pre-pay a $25.00 administrative fee for a referral to a lawyer for up to a 25-minute free consultation. The administrative fee will be waived for tenants with urgent housing problems, Social Security claimants, workers' compensation claimants, and personal injury plaintiffs.
Modest Means Program
When:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:45 pm
Contact:
(800) 968-0738
Cost:
$25.00 administrative fee
Modest means clients pre-pay a $25.00 administrative fee for a referral to a lawyer for up to a 25-minute free consultation. If you qualify for the program, the modest means attorney will charge a reduced fee for any legal work provided after the initial consultation. The reduced fee rate is $75 per hour. Unless using one of the fixed-fee services, the attorney will bill by the hour. Exceptions may apply. Eligibility for the program is based on the legal matter, income, assets and availability of lawyers.
County Lawyer Referral Services
Macomb County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Contact:
586-468-2940 or macombbar.org
The Macomb County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service program offers legal referrals to lawyers. The service does not provide referrals to pro bono attorneys or free legal services. The referral and up to a thirty-minute consultation are free.
Oakland County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Contact:
248-338-2100 or ocba.org
The OCBA's Lawyer Referral Service provides callers with referrals to lawyers. The service does not provide referrals to pro bono attorneys or free legal services. The referral and up to a thirty-minute consultation are free.
Washtenaw County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Contact:
(734) 996-3229 or washbar.org
Cost:
$30.00
Callers pre-pay a $30.00 administrative fee for a referral to a lawyer for up to a 30-minute consultation. The consultation does not cover document review or drafting of documents. It takes two to five business days for an initial consultation with the attorney. The Lawyer Referral Service is not an emergency service.
Genesee County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
When:
Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (Closed from 12:00 pm -1:00 pm)
Contact:
(810) 232-6000 or gcbalaw.org
Cost:
$30.00
Callers pre-pay a $30.00 administrative fee for a referral to a lawyer for up to a 30-minute consultation. The $30.00 administrative fee is waived for personal injury and social security matters.
Michigan Legal Help - Website
Michigan Legal Help
Website:
The Michigan Legal Help website is for people who are handling their legal problems without a lawyer. The website provides information about how to handle simple civil legal matters, such as housing, family matters, or other civil rights. There are also forms and Do-It-Yourself guides available at no cost. The site does not give legal advice and it is NOT a substitute for having a lawyer.
Michigan Legal Help Self-help Centers
The Michigan Legal Help Self-Help Centers have staff available to help visitors find what they need on the website, answer questions about court practices and processes, and answer simple questions about forms available on the website. Navigators cannot give legal advice. There is also access to computers and the internet.
Wayne County: Family Alliance for Change
Where:
5716 Michigan Ave, Suite 4100
Detroit, MI 48210
When:
Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Contact:
(313) 297-2975
Visitors can access computers and printers during these hours. Help is available in both English and Spanish. All services are free.
Wayne County: Friend of the Court
Where:
11th floor (Room 1145), Penobscot Building
645 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226
When:
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Visitors must sign in no later than 2:30 pm. This office closes promptly at 3:00 pm.
Wayne County: Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Where:
19th floor (Room 1901)
2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
When:
Fridays, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Visitors to this center must sign in no later than 2:30 pm. The office closes promptly at 3:00 pm.
Oakland County: Oakland County Legal Resources Center
Where:
Building 14 East - 2nd Floor Oakland County Courthouse
1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48340
When:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Oakland County: Oakland County Clerk's Office
Where:
Building 12 East
1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48340
When:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am until 4:30 pm
Macomb County: Old County Building 13th Floor
Where:
10 N. Main St, Mt. Clemens, MI
When:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Residents from any nearby county may use the computers and high-speed internet connection to access the tools and resources on MichiganLegalHelp.org.
Monroe County: Monroe County Opportunity Program
Where:
1140 S. Telegraph Road, Monroe, MI 48161
When:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Contact:
(734) 241-2775, ext. 208
Visitors should come before 4:00 pm to have enough time to search the website.
Livingston County: Howell Carnegie District Library
Where:
314 W. Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843
When:
Mon - Thu: 10:00 am-8:00 pm
Fri - Sat: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm (The library is closed on Sundays in June, July, and August.)
Contact:
(517) 546-0720
Saginaw County: Hoyt Library
Where:
505 Janes Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607
When:
Mon - Thu: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Fri - Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Contact:
(989) 755-0904
Complaint
Service
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan Rules:
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure:
Legal Research Resources:
Researching the law can be difficult even for those trained in the law. The following resources may help with preparing your case.
Federal Law:
Michigan Court Rules:
Other Helpful Links:
Public Libraries with Legal Documents:
Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 481-1300
University of Detroit Mercy Kresge Law Library
651 East Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 596-0244
Wayne State University Arthur Neef Law Library
474 Gilmour Mall
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-3925
For more information about electronic filing, visit our eFiling Resources page
For more informaton, check out our FAQ section.