--- name: mi-pro-se description: > This skill should be used when drafting Michigan court documents for a self-represented (pro se) litigant. Triggers include "Michigan pro se", "represent myself Michigan", "self-represented Michigan court", "filing without a lawyer in Michigan", "drafting a pro se motion in Michigan", "answer without an attorney", "SCAO form", "MC 20 fee waiver", "fee waiver Michigan court", "Michigan Legal Help", "do I need a bar number to file pro se". Covers the pro-se drafting framework adapted for Michigan civil practice, the MCR 1.109(E) signature requirement (self-represented filers OMIT the P-number), service of subsequent papers under MCR 2.107, the MC 20 fee-waiver (suspension of fees) under MCR 2.002, court interpreters under MCR 1.111 and ADA accommodations, the SCAO approved-forms ecosystem, and Michigan Legal Help self-help resources. Composes with `mi-statewide-format`, `mi-draft-motion`, and the venue skills. version: 0.1.0 --- # Pro Se Drafting for Michigan > **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** This skill helps a self-represented party > prepare paper and procedure. It is not a substitute for advice from a > licensed Michigan attorney, and you should consult one where the > stakes warrant. Verify against the current Michigan Court Rules and > local practice before filing. Use this skill alongside `mi-statewide-format` whenever the filer is unrepresented. Michigan courts use **"self-represented"** (the SCAO / Michigan Legal Help phrasing) interchangeably with "pro se." ## Use the official SCAO form where one exists Michigan has an unusually mature self-help ecosystem; reach for an official form **before** drafting from scratch: - The **State Court Administrative Office (SCAO)** publishes statewide approved forms in numbered series — the **MC** (general civil/miscellaneous), **DC** (district court), and **FOC** (Friend of the Court / domestic) series among others. Where a SCAO form exists, courts expect it and clerks process it faster. - **Michigan Legal Help (michiganlegalhelp.org)** hosts guided "Do-It- Yourself" interviews that assemble the correct SCAO forms for common matters (divorce, custody, eviction defense, small claims, name change, fee waivers) and explain the steps. When a SCAO form covers the task, prefer it; reserve free-form drafting (`mi-draft-motion` and the other `mi-draft-*` scaffolders) for filings with no governing form. Confirm the current revision on courts.michigan.gov — SCAO revises forms periodically. ## The pro-se drafting framework — adapted for Michigan Michigan courts read self-represented filings with some leniency on form, but will **not act as the filer's lawyer** — they will not supply missing elements of a claim or defense or develop the record. Form slips are tolerated if the substance is present, but the filer does the advocacy. Apply this to every filing: 1. State the relief clearly in the opening sentence. 2. Cite the rule or statute (MCR ____ / MCL § ____). 3. State the facts that satisfy each element, with verification or an affidavit where facts must be proven (see `mi-draft-declaration`). 4. Apply the controlling Michigan authority. 5. Conclude with the specific order sought. ## Signature block — self-represented filers omit the P-number **MCR 1.109(E)** requires every document to be signed; the signature **certifies** that, to the best of the signer's knowledge, the filing is well-grounded in fact, warranted by law, and not interposed for an improper purpose. This certification — and MCR 1.109(E) sanctions — **apply to self-represented filers just as to attorneys.** Michigan-licensed attorneys sign with their **State Bar P-number**. A self-represented filer **has no P-number and omits that field** — do not write "N/A." Add a clear self-represented designation: ``` ____________________________ Jane Q. Doe [Street address] [City, MI ZIP] Phone: (###) ###-#### Email: jane@example.com Defendant, Self-Represented ``` See `mi-statewide-format` for the full caption and signature conventions. ## Service of subsequent papers — MCR 2.107 After the initial summons and complaint, **MCR 2.107** governs service of every later paper (motions, notices, responses) on the other parties: - Serve every filed paper on every other party (or that party's attorney of record). Permitted methods include personal delivery, mail to the last-known address, and, where authorized, electronic service through the court's e-filing system (MiFILE). - File a **proof of service** stating who was served, when, and how. See `mi-statewide-format` for the template; for service-method deadline add-ons use `mi-deadlines`. (Service of the original summons and complaint is governed by MCR 2.105 — see `mi-first-30-days` / the venue skills.) ## Fee waiver — the MC 20 under MCR 2.002 A filer who cannot afford court fees may ask the court to **waive or suspend fees and costs** under **MCR 2.002** by filing the SCAO **MC 20, Fee Waiver Request** (paired with the MC 20a order). MCR 2.002 provides for suspension on a showing of indigency — receipt of public assistance, income below the rule's threshold, or other inability to pay. File the MC 20 with (or before) the document that triggers the fee. Confirm the current MCR 2.002 standard and MC 20 revision rather than relying on a fixed income figure (the threshold drifts — see `mi-law-references`). ## Court interpreters and ADA accommodations - **Court interpreters**: **MCR 1.111** governs appointment of a foreign-language or sign-language interpreter for a limited-English- proficient or deaf/hard-of-hearing party or witness, at no cost to the party in the cases the rule covers. Request one from the clerk early. - **ADA accommodations**: Michigan courts provide reasonable accommodations for litigants with disabilities (SCAO publishes a request form). Request well before the hearing date. ## Picking the right court A self-represented filer must route to the correct trial court: | Court | Civil scope | |---|---| | **Circuit Court** | General civil over $25,000; family division (divorce, custody, support); appeals from District/Probate | | **District Court** | Civil up to $25,000; landlord-tenant / eviction; small claims (up to the statutory cap — verify the current amount) | | **Probate Court** | Decedents' estates, guardianship, conservatorship, mental-health and certain minor matters | Route to the venue skill for your court: `mi-wayne` (Wayne County), `mi-oakland` (Oakland County), `mi-36th-district` (36th District Court, Detroit), `mi-circuit-courts` (other circuits), `mi-district-courts` (other district courts), and `mi-family-court` (family-division mechanics). The clerk's office can explain filing mechanics and fees but **cannot give legal advice.** ## Common self-represented pitfalls in Michigan 1. **Drafting from scratch when a SCAO form exists** — check courts.michigan.gov / Michigan Legal Help first; the form is expected. 2. **Writing "N/A" for the P-number** — omit the field and add "Self-Represented" with your role instead. 3. **Underweighting the MCR 1.109(E) certification** — sanctions reach pro se filers; the signature is a sworn-quality representation. 4. **Skipping the MCR 2.107 proof of service** — unproven service can sink an otherwise-timely filing. 5. **Paying fees you could have had waived** — file the MC 20 (MCR 2.002). 6. **Filing in the wrong court** — confirm Circuit vs. District vs. Probate against the amount and subject matter first. ## Composition - Format and signature block: `mi-statewide-format` - Drafting scaffolders: `mi-draft-motion`, `mi-draft-declaration` (affidavits/verifications), `mi-draft-note` (notices of hearing), `mi-draft-order` (proposed orders) - Answer and first responses: `mi-first-30-days` - Deadline math (service add-ons, computation): `mi-deadlines` - Subject bundles: `mi-consumer-debt`, `mi-family-law`, `mi-family-court`, `mi-landlord-tenant` - Venue overlay: `mi-wayne`, `mi-oakland`, `mi-36th-district`, `mi-circuit-courts`, `mi-district-courts` ## References - `mi-law-references` — canonical MCR, MRE, fees, and SCAO-form pointers - Confirm current SCAO form revisions, the MCR 2.002 indigency standard, and the small-claims cap at courts.michigan.gov before filing