The State Bar of Michigan Modest Means Program connects moderate-income people with attorneys who offer reduced cost legal assistance. The Modest Means Program is not a free program. If you use this program, you must pay for any services received. This is a pilot project, and can only help people with family law or bankruptcy problems.
Your eligibility for the program is based on your legal matter, income and assets, as well as the availability of participating lawyers in your area. 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 you are using one of the fixed-fee services, your attorney is billing by the hour. Modest means clients will pay $25 to the State Bar of Michigan for a referral to a lawyer for a 25-minute consultation. Exceptions may apply.