EVICTION HELP
Eviction papers in Michigan: free help
Free, and based on the court's and the legislature's own sources. No account, no payment.
Your deadline
Be in district court (in person or by video, as your papers say) on the day, date and time printed in item 2 of your summons. You may answer out loud at that hearing, or file a written answer (for example form DC 111a) before it and mail a copy to the landlord. Some courts require the written answer before the hearing; check your summons and call the court.
If you do not answer or appear
If you are not in court on time, you can be evicted without a trial, and a money judgment can be entered against you.
Source: Form DC 104 (Rev. 11/23) item 8; MCR 4.201(G)(5)(a)-(b)
Cost to answer
There is no fee to file an answer. A jury trial costs a $50 fee. Pay it at the moment you ask for a jury: the statute says not paying at the time of the demand gives up the jury (MCL 600.8371(9)), even though a court form allows 5 days. If you cannot pay court fees, you can ask the court to waive them with form MC 20.
What your papers are called
Summons, Landlord-Tenant (form DC 104), served with the landlord's Complaint (for example DC 102a, Complaint, Nonpayment of Rent) and the Advice of Rights and Information (form DC 538). District court (landlord-tenant summary proceedings), in the district where the rental is.
Free help
- The court's answer formAnswer, Nonpayment of Rent (Landlord-Tenant) (DC 111a) · Spanish version (for reading only; file the English form)
- Free online interview from the courtMichigan Legal Help: Do-It-Yourself Answer to Eviction Complaint
- The court's eviction self-help pageMichigan Legal Help: Eviction · In Spanish
- Free legal helpMichigan Legal Help: Guide to Legal Help (finds your local legal aid office)Lakeshore Legal Aid, Counsel and Advocacy Law Line · (888) 783-8190State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service · (800) 968-0738
- Free lawyer programs for tenantsDetroit (36th District Court): Detroit Right to Counsel (City of Detroit Office of Eviction Defense)Who qualifies: Detroit tenants in an eviction case at the 36th District Court whose household income is 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Line. Michigan Legal Help: 'To get a lawyer, you need to show up to your first court hearing. ... When you are at your hearing, ask to meet with a free legal aid lawyer.'
- Help in SpanishMichigan Legal Help: DesalojosMichigan Legal Help: Me están desalojando por no pagar el alquiler (vivienda no subsidiada)Hágalo usted mismo: Respuesta a la demanda de desalojo (Michigan Legal Help)
Are you the landlord?
A company landlord, such as an LLC or corporation, generally needs a lawyer to file an eviction in this state.
A corporation or LLC landlord must have a lawyer to file and appear in an eviction case in district court. The small claims rule that lets a corporation appear through an officer or employee (MCL 600.8408(2)) does not apply, because small claims can only hear money claims, not possession. A landlord who is a person may represent himself or herself. The demand for possession itself may be signed by the landlord's agent (MCL 600.5716), but that does not let an agent appear in court.
The court's landlord form: Complaint, Nonpayment of Rent (DC 102a)
Hello Court never helps with a lockout, removing a tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities. Only a court order and the officer it names can remove a tenant.
If you want more, Hello Court can help you organize your case and prepare your court forms for a one-time fee. Everything above stays free.
Start a caseSources read on 2026-10-05.