Legal Aid
Pokagon Band citizens can receive free legal aid in both Michigan and Indiana.
“Michigan Legal Indian Services provided me last year with an estate planning. They made it layman’s terms that I could understand it. It was very efficient. We got it done in really good time, and I applaud them.”
-Martha McConnell
“She called me almost everyday to let me know where she was at. I would not hesitate to use her. She’s a great person to work with.”
-Jack Mix
Do you need advice or assistance with a legal issue? The Band has arranged for Michigan Indian Legal Services (MILS) and Indiana Legal Services (ILS) to provide free legal services to Pokagon citizens (and in some cases, spouses of Pokagon citizens) regarding certain types of legal issues:
- Guardianships and Conservatorships
- Power of Attorney (Medical and/or Financial)
- Simple Wills
- Real Estate Matters
- Landlord Tenant Matters
- General civil matter legal advice
- Expungements [Indiana and for those under 200% of poverty in Michigan]
- Specialized Driving Permits [Indiana] and Driver’s License Restoration [for those under 200% of poverty in Michigan]
Except for criminal matters in Pokagon Tribal Court, there are no asset or income restrictions for Pokagon Band citizens receiving this free legal service under the tribal contracts. Not all legal services provided include representation in court, in some instances the available legal services are limited to document review, document preparation, and/or providing legal advice.
Michigan Indian Legal Services
For questions about Michigan or Pokagon Band law, contact Michigan Indian Legal Services at (231) 947-0122 or visit their website at www.mils3.org
MILS will maintain a presence at the Community Center on the first Friday of each month.
We encourage citizens to reach out to MILS prior to visiting the Community Center. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that Band citizens now have the option to start the MILS intake process online. While phone calls are still encouraged for those who prefer them, the online intake process is available for your convenience.
To begin the MILS intake process online, please visit the following link: https://map.tfaforms.net/f/apply.
Indiana Legal Services
For questions about Indiana law, contact Indiana Legal Services at 1-844-243-8570.
Citizens seeking ILS assistance start the process by either calling ILS at 1-844-243-8570 Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or completing the online intake form at Online Intake.
ILS provides its services under the agreement with the Band out of their South Bend office, located at 227 South Main Street, Suite 200, South Bend, Indiana 46601.
You can also access their website at https://www.indianalegalservices.org/
Under the agreement with the Band, there is a limited range of services that can be provided, if Band citizens otherwise meet ILS eligibility and case acceptance guidelines Eligibility & Case Acceptance Guidelines - Indiana Legal Services, those Band citizens can receive whatever services ILS offers (Legal Information - Indiana Legal Services).