The Need for Legal Aid

Families in Cook County need your help Legal aid is an essential service for individuals facing legal issues who cannot afford legal representation. In Illinois, there is a growing need for legal aid as many people struggle to navigate the complexities of the legal system on their own. Without legal assistance, individuals may face dire …

The Need for Legal Aid Read More »

Adult Guardianship 101 – Representing a Petitioner

Lisa Murphy, Director of the CVLS Guardian ad Litem for Adults Program, will cover the steps involved in representing a petitioner in an adult guardianship case from start to finish. This CLE will also cover new training requirements for guardians in Cook County. This training is for licensed attorneys interested in representing clients in adult guardianship matters through CVLS. No prior experience is necessary.

Storage Unit Struggles

In 2018, Patricia started renting a storage unit. The contract obligated Patricia to make monthly payments in exchange for using the unit, and she paid extra for an insurance policy to protect her stored belongings. She paid rent consistently and on-time, using the storage unit to store things like furniture, clothing, and other personal items.

Amicus Poloniae Client Receives Fresh Start through Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy offers a fresh start to clients who are overwhelmed by their debts. There are several options for bankruptcy, each with different filing requirements and legal ramifications. An attorney is recommended, but many people cannot afford to pay an attorney if they are already struggling to pay their bills.

Divorce Case Settled!

In order to address the issue of child support and move on to the next chapter of her life, Mary filed for divorce with the help of CVLS Volunteer Meredith R.W. DeCarlo of ArentFox Schiff LLP. In response to the filing, Mary’s husband retained his own lawyer, and a contested divorce case began in 2018.

Furnace Fix

A broken appliance at home can range from mundane annoyance to client’s worst nightmare. Reba experienced this firsthand when her furnace stopped working in the middle of the winter. Fortunately for Reba, the furnace was covered by warranty, so she reached out to the company to have it fixed. Unfortunately for her, the story didn’t end there.

Everything You Thought About Immigration Law Was Wrong

Assumptions, misconceptions, and myths abound in immigration law; from just “getting in line” for legal status to the U.S. government being able to immediately sending prospective immigrants back to their home countries. How we think immigration law should function is very different from the reality. Join us on January 22nd to separate fact from fiction and get answers to the questions you’ve always wanted to ask an immigration attorney.

GAL Training for Adult Guardianship Cases

Lisa Murphy, CVLS Guardian ad Litem for Adults staff attorney, will cover the skills required to be a successful GAL for adult guardianship cases and the issues that may arise during adult guardianship cases. This training is for licensed attorneys interested in working as pro bono Guardians ad Litem for adults through CVLS. No prior experience is necessary.

Years-Long Guardianship Case Resolved through Volunteer’s Persistence

CVLS was appointed as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) for a 77-year-old man named Mr. R. At the time of our appointment, Mr. R. was living independently in his own home, which was in major disrepair. Mr. R has dementia, among several other health issues, and although he had some family members to check in on him from time to time, he had no consistent support network.