LAKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN Experienced, independent, law firms / lawyers / attorneys, "Access-Certified," and committed to providing affordable legal advice and services. Limited-scope and Full-Representation available. Free case assessment and affordable legal services often at 20-40% savings compared to typical attorneys. Low up-front fees and Payment Plans. CLICK HERE for a Free Case Assessment
Who We Are
The Access Lawyer Network (ALN) is not a law firm, but is an affiliation of licensed & experienced local law firms, attorneys, and team members nationwide who are dedicated to providing individuals, small businesses, and non-profits with free case assessments and affordable legal advice & services for their most common legal needs.
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What We Offer
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**Limited-Scope / Unbundled Options
Unlike many traditional law firms, Access Lawyer Network firms offer limited-scope / unbundled legal services. Unbundling, or limited scope representation, is an alternative to traditional, full-service representation. Instead of requiring large, up-front retainer fees and then handling every task in a matter from start to finish, our lawyers handle one phase of legal services at a time, for an affordable flat-rate and payment plan, and then allows the client to decide if they want to handle any of the phases themselves. This approach allows clients to get expert legal advice and representation on a “pay as you go” or “flat-rate” basis, reducing both up-front and total costs, and giving the client complete control over their legal matter.
Practice Areas Covered in Your State
Below is a list of our primary practice areas that member law firms currently provide in your state. Check back often to see if we offer other services in the near future. Please click the [Learn More] link next to any service to get more details.
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If you want to file a legal claim or need to defend against one, you’ll want to hire a litigation attorney. A litigation attorney is present in courtrooms prosecuting or defending claims on behalf of clients. These experts focus on investigating and prosecuting criminal cases.
Types of Litigation Services Offered
Consult a litigation lawyer when filing a lawsuit or negotiating a dispute. You may or may not need to face the courtroom. However, our award-winning firm will provide guidance and walk you through the legal aspects of your case.
Common litigation services offered include the following:
Litigation attorneys will explain the process and assist you in identifying your potential claims and how to prove them. We also alert you to potential pitfalls or defenses employed by the opposing party.
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BUSINESS AND NON-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICES
Member law firms can assist you and ensure that your new business venture gets off to a strong start, adapts to changing needs, and lays the groundwork for a successful future in any industry. Our knowledgeable and creative attorneys have years of combined experience assisting clients in forming new business entities and structuring their operations for maximum efficiency.
Attorneys will provide you with practical advice and intelligent legal strategies focused on avoiding unnecessary legal issues, minimizing liability, and eliminating high costs, regardless of the stage of your business. We work with companies of every size throughout our service areas.
Types of Business Services Offered
Your company should feel confident and competent when it comes to making legal choices. Member business lawyers ensure put the power of negotiation back on your side. Your attorney will explain your rights and obligations throughout every contract and transaction.
Common business services offered include:
Attorneys are not only well-versed in the law, but we also take pride in quickly handling unexpected problems. Attorneys understand the challenges that business owners face daily. Attorneys provide practical, results-oriented advice with a laser-like focus on maintaining a healthy bottom line.
Why Hire Qualified Business Services Lawyers
It is a wise decision to hire a business lawyer for any company. Here are some of the top reasons you should have a lawyer on your side, whether you are just starting or have been in business for a long time.
Keeping Your Assets Safe
Protecting everything you’ve worked so hard for, including intellectual and physical property, is one of the most important advantages of hiring a business lawyer. A lawyer can assist you in ensuring that all of your assets, including sensitive personal information and business plans, are safeguarded.
Formation and Maintenance
It’s critical to hire a business lawyer who can successfully draft and enforce contracts. Contacts are the most effective way to safeguard your company. They can assist in preserving all parties’ interests and resolving any issues that may arise in the future.
A good lawyer will also create contracts for your clients that are tailored to each client relationship and beneficial to them. You can end, he said, she said debates and get down to business with contracts.
Non-Profit Services
There are times when forming a non-profit or tax-exempt organization has advantages. However, non-profit organization leaders must adhere to specific IRS regulations to maintain tax-exempt status. They can ensure compliance with all applicable laws by working closely with skilled legal counsel.
Charitable organizations face legal issues, as well as administrative and judicial proceedings. Your ALN-member attorney has the experience needed to represent your organization as efficiently and affordably as possible.
Types of Non-Profit Legal Services Offered
ALN-Member lawyers assist non-profits in obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status from the IRS, as well as providing them with the advice they require. In helping non-profit and tax-exempt clients, non-profit organization attorneys draw on a wealth of experience.
As a result, non-profit lawyers are well-positioned to address the various tax issues that a non-profit organization may face.
Common non-profit organization services offered include:
ALN Member-attorneys assist many non-profits in forming formal partnerships and reciprocal relationships with for-profit businesses. These partnerships strengthen charities while maintaining their tax-exempt status by making more resources available to them.r
From a tax standpoint, these nonprofit-for-profit relationships are incredibly complicated. This situation necessitates a thorough understanding of non-profit laws, gained through research and, more importantly, experience. It’s what we offer our non-profit clients, and it’s what we’ll bring to your organization as well.
Legal Services that Collaborate with Your Non-Profit
The non-profit lawyers in the network have the knowledge and experience necessary to set up your non-profit in a way that complies with state and federal regulations. The lawyers will focus on the legal aspects of forming your non-profit organization so you can concentrate on your mission of helping others.
It’s also worth noting that the legal obligations of non-profit organizations don’t end with their formation. You’ll have to meet periodic reporting deadlines and adapt to any regulatory changes that may affect your business.
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When charged with a crime, under investigation, or already arrested, the first step to successfully navigating the criminal justice system is to hire a criminal defense lawyer who will fight for your rights. Your attorney is with you every step of the way, from negotiating a lower bond to providing legal counsel during police interviews to vehemently defending you in front of a jury at trial.
Every client who comes to a law firm expects their attorney to provide superior criminal defense representation. Experienced criminal law attorneys understand the difficulties and challenges of being a defendant in a criminal case, including cost. As such, your attorney will treat each client with dignity and offer the most affordable legal services.
Types of Criminal Law Services Offered
It is not your attorney's job to pass judgment on you; it is their job to protect you from being unfairly judged. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate every aspect of your case to devise an effective defense strategy.
Common criminal law services offered include:
Your attorney's negotiating skills, courtroom experience, and legal knowledge combine to provide state and federal court defendants with effective defense representation. We have built a solid and proven reputation as top criminal lawyers through our criminal defense practice.
How Criminal Law Services Can Help You
Potential penalties for criminal convictions include prison time, hefty fines, and felonies. If you’re facing charges as a result of a severe crime, you’ll need a solid criminal defense attorney on your side. It is challenging to effectively represent yourself in a criminal trial, no matter how smart you are.
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Estate planning and probate law attorneys help people choose and prepare documents to protect their assets and guide family members’ decisions when they can’t. Furthermore, they can assist will executors with all aspects of probate, including estate settlement, real estate sales, asset inventory, debt payment, and distributions to heirs.
If a loved one dies without a will, they can also help you appoint a personal representative. ALN-member attorneys have helped people throughout the country navigate these challenging issues. We offer affordable legal care from award-winning estate and probate lawyers.
Types of Estate and Probate Services Offered
There are many important decisions to make in life, but none is more crucial than estate planning. Everyone should have a simple will in place to declare their final wishes at a minimum. However, this document usually isn’t enough to get your family through incapacitation matters and may necessitate advanced directives.
You can also preserve assets for your loved ones and make your wishes known if you are ill or require long-term care with a little more legal groundwork. Estate planning can also save your family from having to go through complicated guardianship or probate proceedings.
Common Estate and Probate services offered include:
Life after the death of a loved one comes with a specific set of challenges. But haggling over property or money shouldn’t be one of them. Hiring an estate and probate attorney can mitigate many of the issues associated with end-of-life affairs.
Your Attorney Will Handle Your Loved One’s Estate Issues
Handling the unexpected death of a loved one is traumatic alone. When you add carrying out their wishes to the situation, it is emotionally taxing. Hiring a probate lawyer will ease your mind during this challenging time.
Finding the right probate and estate lawyer means the difference between straightforward probate and a long, drawn-out process. Our award-winning legal team will make the process affordable and efficient.
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Clients seeking various legal services, such as divorce, annulment, legal separation, and other issues, are frequently represented by family law attorneys. Attorneys who focus on family law can also help clients navigate the complexities that can arise from legal issues.
When you work with an ALN-member Law Firm, your initial case assessment is free and your legal strategy session with an attorney is very affordable. You are under no obligation to retain the attorney's services. Your legal team simply wants to provide each client with the best and most comprehensive service possible, regardless of who you are or what your problem may be.
Types of Family Law Services Offered
The legal obligations between individuals are governed by a body of statutes and case precedents known as family law. The parties in these cases are usually family by blood or marriage, but family law can also affect those in more distant or casual relationships.
Common family law services offered include:
Most people understand that hiring a skilled lawyer will give them an advantage in a contested family law case. If settlement talks fail, a lawyer can uncover income or assets that the other party is attempting to conceal, as well as current arguments about child support and visitation.
In uncontested cases, however, legal representation is just as important. A party is vulnerable without it and may unwittingly waive critical legal rights.
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Whether you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll be dealing with a variety of choices at various stages. Every party to a transaction is trying to secure their interests, which may or may not match yours. You can ensure that your interests are protected by hiring a home and property services lawyer to act as your advisor.
ALN-member law firms handle residential and commercial real estate matters. They represent residential and commercial parties of a property. Your legal team makes services affordable, so you always get the quality legal help you want and deserve.
Types of Home and Property Legal Services Offered
Whether you’re dealing with a personal or business matter, real estate transactions are complicated. Problems over the short and long term can have financially devastating consequences, so the best way to deal with a transactional issue is to protect your interests in the event of unforeseen events.
Common home and property services offered include:
Advantages of Hiring a Home and Property Services Lawyer
Real estate transactions require a ton of paperwork, and the parties must determine who is legally responsible for bearing the cost or burden of the issue. When these disagreements arise, you may find yourself in court.
It is critical to hire an attorney who is well-versed in real estate law in the appropriate jurisdiction if you intend to litigate a real estate transaction, whether as plaintiff or defendant. The rules, regulations, and case law are complex and extensive.
Real estate-related contracts and agreements have a unique language and significance that only a real estate attorney may be qualified to interpret. When so much is on the line, you want to make sure your lawyer is a skilled and knowledgeable advocate.
Get Legal Help from Our Home and Properties Group
Before your next transaction, hire a trustworthy real estate lawyer who can guide you through the complicated home and property buying process. ALN-member attorneys provide dedicated legal services to those just starting their search for a property or are about to buy or sell one.
Your home and property attorneys are knowledgeable in all aspects of real estate, including the purchase and sale of residential and commercial property, title searches, closings, and housing court issues. As a client, you can expect a simple process where we explain complicated legal jargon. You won’t feel left out of the decision-making process throughout the time we work together, too.
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With Immigration services at ALN-member firms, the attorneys will assist prospective-immigrants, employees, and travelers with the ability to visit, reside in, and work in the United States of America. The immigration lawyers will provide dependable solutions for your legal needs. We will listen to you and determine your goals and background and then offer you a viable solution based on your current circumstances.
Your legal team can handle both family and employment-based immigration cases to make their clients’ lives as simple as possible. When you contact an ALN-member attorney, you will undoubtedly receive personalized attention to all of your concerns. Our goal is to assist our clients with all immigration-related concerns successfully, and we are dedicated to this goal.
Types of Visas We Support
There are four types of U.S.A. visas, all of which we support. Visa Type #1 is the tourist visa (pleasure travel visas); Visa Type #2 are the Immigration and naturalization visas (including by marriage, fiance’, family member, etc); Visa Type #3 are Student visas (for those living abroad to study in the U.S.A.); and Visa Type #4 are Business or work visas (for working, which include both non-immigrant and immigrant types). ALN-member Law Firms provide services for all four visa types.
Types of Immigration Services Offered
Your ALN-member law firm keeps up with the ever-changing laws of immigration to ensure their clients’ satisfaction throughout their legal journey. To provide the most appropriate immigration legal strategies, we work with individuals, employers, and employees.
Common immigration services offered include:
If you or a member of your family has been placed under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Court, an ALN-member attorney can help you navigate the process.
Your Lawyer will also carry out the following services:
ALN-member attorneys help clients with the following types of applications and responses:
Our member-attorneys have previously assisted many people in situations similar to yours. Allow an ALN-member attorney to handle your case. Your immigration services lawyer will ensure that you exhaust all of your legal options to attain your objectives. You’ll never feel left in the dark about your rights, obligations, or how to navigate complicated issues.
Experienced Attorneys working with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services administers the nation’s lawful immigration system with the goal of safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values.
ALN-member Attorneys work with the USCIS employees and departments to identify, understand, and navigate the latest applications, processes, forms, fees, and steps necessary to help our clients safely, effectively, and efficiently achieve their immigration, family, employment, educational, and/or visitation goals.
For additional information about USCIS, please visit their main website at http://www.uscis.gov
Get Legal Help from Our Immigration Services Lawyers
The immigration attorneys within the network are happy to meet you wherever is most convenient for you. Your legal team works hard to handle your case with the care you would expect from a law firm. We also make our award-winning immigration services as affordable as possible with numerous payment options.
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can be scary without owing them money. If you owe a large tax balance to the IRS, it can be terrifying. The IRS can hold onto your property, garnish your wages, freeze access to your financial balances, and put liens on or seize your property. If your money-related challenges have gotten you into difficulty with the IRS, you have to act quickly to avoid a terrible outcome.
In the event that you don't have the cash to take care of your obligation to the IRS, you need not fear. There are alternatives accessible to you, and an accomplished lawyer can assist you with negotiating an agreement with the IRS and help you get your life back on track.
You have the legitimate option to speak to the IRS yourself; however, most citizens have discovered that expert assistance, for example, specific lawyers, bookkeepers, or specialists who are knowledgeable about helping citizens settle unpaid assessment obligations, can improve your chances of arriving at an adequate settlement with the IRS.
Typically, the IRS will work with the individuals who owe cash, and you have a few unique alternatives available to help settle your obligation with them. For example, some of those options are installment agreements, an installment agreement with partial payments, an offer in compromise, not currently collective programs, bankruptcy, release of wage garnishments, stopping the IRS from levying any bank accounts, and releasing you from any IRS obligations which are past the statute of limitations. Permitting an accomplished IRS-negotiation lawyer to deal with your IRS correspondences and communications is smart choice. Using an experienced lawyer to communicate and negotiate with the IRS can save you significant money, lower your stress, and give you peace of mind.
ALN-member attorneys assist people throughout the U.S.A. with negotiating with the IRS to resolve their tax debts. Your fees depend on how much you owe, and we can work out low initial and monthly payment plan options.
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ALN-Member Attorneys provide mediation services in family/domestic matters, civil lawsuit matters, landlord/tenant matters, and in business disputes.
Mediation is a private process where our attorney acts as a neutral 3rd person who works with both parties to a dispute to gather facts, determine their respective positions, communicate and share those positions and proposals to the other party(ies), and then work back and forth between the party(ies) to reduce disagreements, find common ground, consider compromises and alternative approaches that all parties can accept, and ultimately come to a resolution on some or all issues which can then be written by a local attorney into a final Consent Judgment or Order, thus resolving the case.
Please Note: ALN-member attorneys can ONLY provide mediation if ALL PARTIES to the case (both sides) have already agreed to mediate, and all you need to do now is to select a mediator. We can NOT assist you if: 1) you are trying to convince the other party to mediate, but they haven't committed to do so; 2) you want to send an Attorney Letter demanding that the other party(ies) enter mediation; 3) you are really looking for someone to contact and negotiate with the other party to avoid court. We can NOT assist you for any of these scenarios -- we can only assist if both parties have already agreed to use a mediator.
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MONEY, CREDITOR, AND DEBTOR SERVICES
Debtor-creditor law applies to all aspects of the relationship between creditors and debtors. One of the main goals of money, creditor, and debtor services lawyers is to keep their clients out of bankruptcy court or help them navigate legal issues.
Regardless of the situation you’re facing, an ALN-member attorney can help. We offer an award-winning team of lawyers who focus on money, creditor, and debtor issues. All you have to do is let us know how we can help.
Types of Money, Creditor, and Debtor Services We Offer
Our money, creditor, and debtor lawyers have a deep bench of experience navigating complicated financial issues. These issues often include the proper procedures for debtor and creditor rights. An attorney who practices in this area of law may focus on small business and consumer issues, helping clients manage debt to remain solvent.
Common money, creditor, and debtor services we offer include:
Our legal team comprises of award-winning lawyers who represent their clients’ rights and interests. We ensure that our clients receive direct communication from their lawyers and make decisions from a place of knowledge. You can count on us to affordably represent your case while fighting for the best possible outcome.
Using a Wide Range Of Legal Techniques
You may occasionally come across someone who refuses to pay you for work or services you have rendered or who refuses to refund your money when you are entitled to it. This type of behavior only gets worse in a tight economy. Fortunately, our attorneys can assist you in overcoming these challenges by recovering owed money or remaining financially solvent.
We will pursue more aggressive collection or defense methods if your efforts go ignored. These strategies could include taking court action to stop wage garnishments, obtaining personal property liens, or requesting that the sheriff seize personal property and sell it at a public auction.
Maximizing Your Legal Options While Keeping Costs Under Control
In bankruptcy and collections proceedings, our firm represents lenders, creditors, and those enduring bankruptcy. We built our reputation on successfully represent our clients in courtroom litigation and pre-suit negotiations. Our hands-on and affordable approach to bankruptcy, loan default, and debt collection are at the heart of our success.
To develop comprehensive legal strategies, our attorneys combine the resources of a large firm with knowledge and experience in a variety of industries and disciplines. We will never leave you in the dark about your case and ensure that our award-winning legal services remain affordable.
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QDRO / EDRO RETIREMENT ORDER SERVICES
A “Qualified Domestic Relations Order” (also known as QDRO), and an Eligible Domestic Relations Order” (also known as an EDRO) is a court order used to divide specific types of retirement plans, including qualified and 403(b) plans. According to the Internal Revenue Service, a QDRO is “a judgment, decree or order for a retirement plan to pay child support, alimony or marital property rights to a spouse, former spouse, child or other dependents of a [retirement plan] participant.”
A QDRO grants a person known as the “alternate payee” the right to part of the retirement benefits a former spouse (the “participant”) earned through an employer-sponsored retirement plan. While a QDRO provides benefits to an alternate payee when the participant is alive, it can also award survivor benefits if the participant dies.
ALN-member attorneys prepares QDROs and EDROs for divorcing or divorced couples in all 50 states of the U.S. Our services include: Preparing the QDRO/EDRO to comply with U.S. Laws, Plan Administrator guidelines, and the divorce judgment itself; send to Plan Administrator for pre-approval; make changes after pre-approval and then work with couples to get signatures; send to the Court to get Judge’s signature; send judge-signed Order to the Plan Administrator for processing; and all legal advice to client throughout the process.
Common types of QDROs and EDROs that your attorney can prepare include:
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A trademark is a brand name. A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller or provider from those of others, and to indicate the source of the goods/services.
It is vitally important that you select or create a trademark that is both federally registrable and legally protectable. Although federal registration of a mark is not mandatory, it has several advantages, including notice to the public of the registrant's claim of ownership of the mark, legal presumption of ownership nationwide, and exclusive right to use the mark on or in connection with the goods/services listed in the registration.
If you are a foreign-domiciled applicant, you must have a U.S.-licensed attorney represent you at the USPTO. Non-U.S.-licensed attorneys and non-attorneys may give you inaccurate information and legal advice about your trademark rights and the registration process in the United States.
If you are domiciled in the United States, you are not required to have a U.S.-licensed attorney represent you, but we strongly encourage you to hire one who specializes in trademark law to guide you through the application process. Although USPTO staff can provide information about the federal application process, USPTO employees cannot give you legal advice or help you fill out forms.
ALN members can register Trademarks for your business in all 50 states. Our services include: Filing of trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); a basic federal direct-hit search of the federal trademark database for direct conflicts with your trademark; color adjustment and compilation of your trademark specimens and designs; Email delivery of your trademark application; Electronic copy of your trademark application; respond to and make changes to your application based on any initial communications from USPTO; 60 days unlimited legal advice.
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Attorneys
ALN-Member Attorneys provide qualified, affordable Attorneys in the following areas:
Abuse & Neglect Attorneys / Lawyers
Affidavit of Support Attorneys / Lawyers
Appellate Attorneys / Lawyers
Business Attorneys / Lawyers
Citizenship Attorneys / Lawyers
Collection Attorneys / Lawyers
CPS / DHS Attorneys / Lawyers
Creditor Attorneys / Lawyers
Criminal Attorneys / Lawyers
Criminal Sexual Conduct Attorneys / Lawyers
CSC Attorneys / Lawyers
Divorce Law Attorneys / Lawyers
Custody Attorneys / Lawyers
Debtor Attorneys / Lawyers
DUI Attorneys / Lawyers
Estate Planning Attorneys / Lawyers
Family-Law Attorneys / Lawyers
Family-based Visa Attorneys / Lawyers
Fiance’ Visa Attorneys / Lawyers
Green Card Attorneys / Lawyers
Immigration Attorneys / Lawyers
Incorporation Attorneys / Lawyers
IRS Tax Negotiation Attorneys / Lawyers
Felony Attorneys / Lawyers
Living Will & Medical Power of Attorney Attorneys / Lawyers
Married-based Visa Attorneys / Lawyers
Mediation Attorneys / Lawyers
Misdemeanor Attorneys / Lawyers
Naturalization Attorneys / Lawyers
Non-profit Attorneys / Lawyers
Powers of Attorney Attorneys / Lawyers
Probate Administration Attorneys / Lawyers
Property Deed Attorneys / Lawyers
QDRO / EDRO / Qualified Domestic Relations Attorneys / Lawyers
Real Estate Attorneys / Lawyers
Removal of Conditions Attorneys / Lawyers
Request for Evidence (RFE) Attorneys / Lawyers
Spousal Support / Alimony Attorneys / Lawyers
Trademark Attorneys / Lawyers
Visa Attorneys / Lawyers
Wills, Trusts, and Estates Attorneys / Lawyers
States, Counties, and Cities We Serve
Access-Certified independent attorneys who are members of the Access Lawyer Network provide affordable legal consultations and legal services to Americans in all states, all counties, and all cities listed below.
Lake County covers all of the following communities:
Villages
Baldwin
Luther
Townships
Chase
Cherry Valley
Dover
Eden
Elk
Ellsworth
Lake
Newkirk
Peacock
Pinora
Pleasant Plains
Sauble
Sweetwater
Webber
Yates
Other unincorporated communities
Branch
Chase
Idlewild
Irons
Peacock
Sauble
Wolf Lake
Lake County Trial Court Address :
Lake County Trial Court
800 E 10th St #300, Baldwin, MI 49304
Law Firms who are members of the Access Lawyer Network offer cheap and affordable legal advice and legal services with skilled lawyers & attorneys.