Programs
CVLS has extensive resources to help our volunteers get started quickly and develop deeper skills through continued use.
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO MANUAL
An outline of the instructional videos is listed below. Click on any section to view a short instructional video. All documents described in the training videos can be found in the forms/templates section below.
Description of the Case
Step 1 - Preparing to File
Step 2 - Filing the Petition
Step 3 - Getting a Court Date
Step 4 - Giving Notice
Step 5 - Appearing in Court
- Who Should Come and What Do They Need
- Preparing Order Appointing Guardian
- Logistics of Appearing in Court
WRITTEN MANUALS
FORMS AND TEMPLATES
- Affidavit of Service by Publication
- Affidavit of Service by Publication (Sample)
- Birth Certificate Authorization Letter (Sample)
- Birth Certificate Request Form
- Appearance and Consent for Letters Appointing Guardian
- Appearance and Consent for Letters Appointing Guardian (Sample)
- CANTS Background Check
- CLSP Form - Fee Waiver
- CLSP Form - Fee Waiver (Sample)
- Exhibit A
- Exhibit A (Sample)
- Notice of Motion
- Notice of Motion (Sample)
- Oath and Bond of Representative-No Surety
- Oath and Bond of Representative-No Surety (Sample)
- Order Allowing Petitioner to Obtain Death Certificate
- Order Allowing Petitioner to Obtain Minor's Birth Certificate
- Order Allowing Petitioner to Obtain Minor's Birth Certificate (Sample)
- Order Appointing Guardian of Minor
- Order Appointing Guardian of Minor (Sample)
- Order for Free Publication
- Order for Free Publication (Sample)
- Petition for Guardianship
- Petition for Guardianship (Sample)
- Proposed Appointed Guardian Checklist
- Proposed Appointed Guardian Checklist (Sample)
Welcome to the new age of pro bono. With Legal Server you can:
- Browse for new pro bono opportunities from anywhere with an internet connection.
- View and edit your case notes, track your pro bono hours, and obtain training materials all online with a click of a button.
- Never again be constrained by where your are or what time it is.
If you are not a volunteer and are interested in CVLS and our Legal Server system please register for one of our volunteer orientations. If you are currently a CVLS volunteer and do not have a Legal Server account, please contact Jessica Engle to have one created.
- Click Here to login to Legal Server and start managing your cases today.
- Click Here to access our CVLS Legal Server Tutorial.
An outline of the instructional videos is listed below. Click on any section to view a short instructional video. All documents described in the training videos can be found in the templates/pleadings section below.
POWERPOINTS
GUIDES
FORMS AND TEMPLATES
- Appointment of Short-Term Guardian (English)
- Appointment of Short-Term Guardian (Sample)
- Appointment of Short-Term Guardian (Spanish)
- Disclaimer Form for Guardianship Clinics
- FAQ - Guardianship and Immigration (English)
- FAQ - Guardianship and Immigration (Spanish)
- FAQ - Minor Guardianship (Attorneys)
- Intake Form for Guardianship Clinics
STATUTES
COLLEGE GUIDE SERIES FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO MANUAL
An outline of the instructional videos is listed below. Click on any section to view a short instructional video. All documents described in the training videos can be found in the forms/templates section below.
Intro to Guardian ad Litem for Minors
Getting Started
1806: Hearing and Procedure
If Your Case Goes to Trial
CVLS Support and Supervision
Case Closure
WRITTEN MANUALS
FORMS AND TEMPLATES
- Forensic Center Referral Form
- GAL for Minors Case Checklist
- CANTS Background Check
- Criminal Background Check Information
- GAL Case Closure Checklist
- GAL Party Background Questionnaire
- GAL Report (Sample)
- Intake Background Questionnaire
- Interwoven and The Forensic Center FAQ
- Interwoven and The Forensic Center Service and Referral Information
- Interwoven Referral Form
- Letter to Client - First Attempt (Sample)
- Letter to Client - Second Attempt (Sample)
- Nomination of Minor
- Order - Agreed (Sample)
- Order - Handwritten (Sample)
- Order - Proposed (Sample)
- Order Appointing Guardian of Minor
- Order Appointing GAL (Sample)
- Order for Supervised Visitation (sample)
- Order for Visitation (sample)
- Referral Form for Mental Health Services - The Chicago School
OTHER RESOURCES
COLLEGE GUIDE SERIES FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO MANUAL
An outline of the instructional videos is listed below. Click on any section to view a short instructional video. All documents described in the training videos can be found in the FORMS AND TEMPLATES section below. Always check www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org for the latest versions of Court Forms.
Intro to Adult GAL
Types of Guardianship
Terminology
Law and Location
Types of GAL Appointments
Taking a CVLS GAL Case
GAL Duties and Initial Petition
GAL Investigation
GAL Report
Court Forms
Court Hearing
Video Training
WRITTEN MANUALS
Electronic filing (e-file) is mandatory in all Illinois State Courts, with limited exceptions for self-represented litigants (see below). Clerks at the Daley Center and other Illinois State Courts will not accept in-person filings. In order to e-file in Cook County, all CVLS volunteers must register with an Electronic Filing Service Provider (“EFSP”).
ELECTRONIC FILING SERVICE PROVIDERS
There are many EFSP’s to choose from. CVLS uses Odyssey eFileIL for all in-house state court filing purposes. CVLS has chosen Odyssey eFileIL because it is the only fully free service that charges no service fees for its use. The Odyssey eFileIL portal can be found here and Odyssey’s training videos, webinars, and user manuals are available here.
Although Odyssey eFileIL lacks features of other EFSPs, we believe that it fully accommodates our needs.
If you are volunteering with CVLS and need assistance from CVLS staff in order to e-file, the only EFSP we can provide guidance for is Odyssey eFileIL.
LAWYER REGISTRATION
You must register with Odyssey eFileIL or another EFSP of your choice before you can e-file in Cook County. To get set up with an EFSP, you may also need a five-digit Cook County Attorney Number (also called a “firm number”) to create an account. If your firm does not already have its own Cook County Attorney Number, you can find instructions for obtaining one here. The Cook County Attorney Code Request Form can be found here.
If you have already registered with an EFSP using your firm’s five-digit Cook County Attorney Number, you can still use CVLS’ Attorney Number when filing into cases you are handling as a CVLS volunteer. Please reach out to the supervising attorney for your CVLS case to obtain our Attorney Number, and then use it as your “Cook County Attorney/Self-Represented Litigant Code” under the “Case Cross Reference Number” field when filing with Odyssey eFileIL (as pictured below).

FILING FEES & FEE WAIVERS
As the largest provider of pro bono civil legal representation in Cook County, CVLS clients and their attorneys can get most court costs waived under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 298, without the need for a hearing regarding that client’s financial situation. In order to accomplish this, you need to file form called a “Rule 298 Certification for Waiver of Fees – Representation by Civil Legal Services Provider,” otherwise known as a CLSP. The previously e-file system automatically generated a CLSP, but that is no longer the case and CVLS volunteers must draft and file their own CLSP for each CVLS client.
CVLS has a template CLSP in Microsoft Word Format that is available upon request for CVLS volunteer attorneys. Alternatively, the Clerk of the Circuit Court has its own, fillable PDF template, available here. If that direct link is broken, you can also find the form, along with instructions for use, in the Clerk’s forms bank under “CCG N642.” If you are working on a CVLS case, we believe that you should include a CLSP with any filing that would normally require a fee in order to show the Clerk that those fees should be waived. Your filing may be rejected (or fees may be assessed) if you don’t include a CLSP. If the filing does not require a fee, you do not need to file a CLSP with the free filing.
To file with a CLSP, you will need to follow these steps (instructions applicable for Odyssey eFileIL):
- Create a new Payment Account and select “Waiver” as your method of payment. You will be prompted to name the account.
- Follow the steps for e-filing a document.
- Upload your primary document as the “Lead Document” and select the appropriate Filing Code. Save your changes.
- Select “Add another filing” and upload a completed CLSP as a separate document. In the Filing Code drop down menu, select “Cert. Of Representation By Civil Legal Serv. Provider Fld.” in order for the Clerks to properly process the form. See below for an example. Note: If you select “waiver filed” or another option, the Clerks may reject your filing or set the matter for hearing on the fee waiver. You will need to contact the Clerks to remedy the issue.
- Select your named “Waiver” account as the payment method.

Additional Notes on CVLS & CLSPs:
- CVLS cannot reimburse volunteers for fees that are eligible to be waived using a CLSP. Therefore, it is imperative that you follow the instructions on this page for those fees to be properly waived, including setting up a “Waiver” payment account and using it anytime you are filing for a CLSP-eligible client.
- CVLS cannot reimburse for third party vendor fees, and a CLSP does not waive third party e-filing vendor fees. Therefore, we urge you to use a free e-filing vendor such as Odyssey eFileIL.
- If the case is not a CLSP case and client is paying filing fees you may set up and use a “Pay at Counter” payment account and CVLS staff can pay filing fees from the client’s trust account after you e-file.
- For instructions on how to get the costs of publication waived for Decedent’s Estate matters with CVLS, we encourage you to watch the following CLE: Decedent’s Estate Training / PCAP (MCLE credit for Illinois Attorneys available upon completion).
OTHER ELECTRONIC FILING TIPS
- If you mark your filing as “confidential,” you may need to include a court order to that effect or your filing could be rejected.
- The Cook County Sheriff’s Department has also developed its own e-file portal for issuance of summons. CVLS has its own account for issuing summons through this portal, and you should contact CVLS’ Director of Operations and Training, Peter Ashmore, for account information and additional instructions on using this portal.
PRO SE GOOD CAUSE EXEMPTION FROM E-FILING
COVID-19 UPDATE (as of September 16, 2020): Most court services in Cook County, including Courtroom access and the e-filing assistance mentioned here are operating at reduced capacity or have gone completely remote as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. You can find additional information on the availability of services by visiting the Clerk of Court’s homepage or by calling the statewide Court Information Helpline at (872) 529-1093 (available M-F, 9am-4pm).
All self-represented (pro se) litigants at the Daley Center who need e-filing assistance should be directed to LL-12 (Lower Level). The Clerk’s office has established a large e-filing self-help center with many computers and scanners available at no cost. Please be aware that the computers in LL-12 may not be hooked up to printers and may not have Adobe or Microsoft Office installed. Without that hardware/software, it may be challenging for self-represented litigants to create new documents or fill out online forms. To avoid delays, we encourage self-represented litigants to fill out forms ahead of time and to bring paper copies with them to LL-12 where they can be scanned at no cost. Printers are available for use in the Law Library on the 29th floor for a fee. If you encounter self-represented litigants who may struggle to use and access the technology necessary to e-file, consider sharing information about the E-Filing Exemption Certificate.
The Illinois Supreme Court has approved new language clarifying the scope of Rule 9(c)(4) which permits a good cause exemption from e-filing. A self-represented litigant may be exempted from e-filing if he or she falls into one of the following categories:
- No computer or Internet access in the home and travel presents a hardship (financial or otherwise)
- Disability (as defined by the ADA) that prevents e-filing
- Low literacy
- Limited English proficiency
- Sensitive filing (e.g. Order of Protection)
A self-represented litigant can claim the exemption by attaching a certificate (signed under penalty of perjury) with the filing. The Access to Justice Commission’s Forms Committee has drafted a Circuit Court Certificate and an Appellate Court Certificate for use by self-represented litigants.
Judges will retain discretion to grant an e-filing waiver on their own (sua sponte) should they determine good cause exists, even without the filing of a certificate. Judges will also retain discretion to order a litigant to begin e-filing at any point should they determine that good cause was not adequately shown.
IN-DEPTH GUIDES FOR SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS
- The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts has prepared how-to guides and videos for self-represented litigants. These instructions are specifically for Odyssey eFileIL, the same EFSP that CVLS uses for e-filing.
- Illinois Legal Aid Online has assembled its own instruction materials for self-represented litigants who need assistance with e-filing.
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO MANUAL
An outline of the instructional videos is listed below. Click on any section to view a short instructional video. All documents described in the training videos can be found in the templates/pleadings section below.
Intro to Simple Divorce
Preparing to File
Filing
Service
After Service
Default and Prove-Up
Notice of Motion to Respondent
Prepare for Default Prove-Up
Prove-Up
Post Prove-Up
Summary
WRITTEN MANUALS
TEMPLATES/PLEADINGS
- Affidavit for Service by Publication
- Affidavit of Military Service
- Affidavit of Special Process Server
- Appearance
- Certificate and Motion to Default
- Certificate of Dissolution (may be printed and completed by hand)
- Certificate of Service
- Certification and Agreement
- CLSP Form-Fee Waiver
- Court Reporter Information Sheet
- Domestic Relations Cover Sheet
- Financial Affidavit
- Judgment
- Judgment, Publication
- Motion to Appoint Special Process Server
- Notice of Motion
- Notice to Withhold Cover Letter to Employer
- Notice to Withhold Cover Letter to Respondent
- Notice to Withhold Income
- Order for Free Publication Service
- Order for Free Transcript
- Order to File Transcript Within 28 Days
- Petition for Dissolution Template
- Questions for Prove-Up
- Questions for Stipulated Prove-Up
- Summons
- Uniform Order for Support
- Uniform Prove-Up Sheet
Written Manual
Forms and Templates
- Forms to be completed for opening intestate estate (no will):
- Forms to be completed for opening intestate estate (no will):
- Cover Sheet
- Probate CLSP
- Affidavit – Copy of Will
- Petition for Probate of Will and Letters Testamentary
- Oath & Bond – No Surety
- Affidavit of Heirship
- Order Declaring Heirship
- Order Admitting Will
- Notice to Heirs & Legatees – Will Admitted
- Motion to Waive Publication Fees
- Order Waiving Publication Fees
- Forms to be completed for closing estate:
- Miscellaneous Forms:
QUESTIONNAIRES
- Adoption Questionnaire
- Adult Guardianship Questionnaire
- Bankruptcy
- Collection Questionnaire
- Divorce Questionnaire
- Eviction Questionnaire
- Family - Enforcement of Domestic Relations Order
- Family - Modification of Domestic Relations Order
- Family - Parentage or Allocation Only
- General Client Questionnaire
- Immigration Questionnaire
- Minor Guardianship Questionnaire
- Probate
- Social Security Questionnaire
- Tort Defense Questionnaire
- Traffic Accident Questionnaire
- Will / POA Questionnaire
FORMS AND TEMPLATES
COLLEGE GUIDE SERIES FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS
TRAINING SEMINAR
If you would like to view the Child Rep training video, please click here. If you are interested in participating in this program and accepting appointments as a child representative through CVLS you MUST attend this training in person.The training will not be webcast.
WRITTEN MANUALS
FORMS AND TEMPLATES
- Child Rep Closure Checklist
- Circuit Court Rule 13.4(f) Consolidated Referral Order
- Civil Legal Services Provider (CLSP) Form
- Domestic Relations Appearance Form
- Form Pretrial Memorandum with Schedule H
- Order Appointing Child Representative
- Order for Enrollment in Drug and/or Alcohol Testing Program
- Order for Home Study
- Order for Supervised Parenting Time (Agency Only)
- Rule 13.3.3 Custody Disclosure Statement
- Sample Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Plan
- Sample Consent for Medical & Mental Health Records
- Sample Consent for School Records
- Sample Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Report for Domestic Relations
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO MANUAL
An outline of the instructional videos is listed below. Click on any section to view a short instructional video. All documents described in the training videos can be found in the templates/pleadings section below.
Intro to Bankruptcy
Eligibility Requirements for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Is a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the Best Interests of the Client
Fees
Bankruptcy Documents
Pre-Filing Credit Counseling Courses
Preparing the Petition
Preparing a Bankruptcy Petition in Best Case
Reviewing the Petition with Your Client
Filing the Petition
Meeting of the Creditors
Post-Filing Debtor Education
Closing Your Case
WRITTEN MANUALS
FORMS AND TEMPLATES
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO MANUAL
An outline of the instructional videos is listed below. Click on any section to view a short instructional video. All documents described in the training videos can be found in the templates/pleadings section below.
Intro to Adult Guardianship
What is Guardianship and When is it Appropriate?
Guardianship Definitions
Types of Guardianship
Who Can Act as Guardian
Duties of a Guardian
Review of guardianship court case
Guardianship Forms
- Representation by Civil Legal Services Provider (CLSP) (Note: Form has been updated - available below)
- Probate Division Cover Sheet
- Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Disabled Person (Note: Form has been updated - available below)
- Exhibit A
- Order Appointing GAL, Motion to Waive GAL, Motion to Appoint Pro Bono GAL
- Summons for Appointment of Guardian, Notice of Rights of Respondent, Notice of Motion (Note: Summons form has been updated and now includes the notice of rights on page 2 - available below)
Report of Physician, CCP 0211
Filing the Petition
Service and Notice to Parties
Post Filing Procedures and Required Court Forms
Court Hearing
Post-Adjudication Matters
WRITTEN MANUALS
FORMS AND TEMPLATES
Forms to be completed for filing case:
- Representation by Civil Legal Services Provider (CLSP)
- Cover Sheet
- Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Person with a Disability
- Summons for Appointment of Guardian of a Person with a Disability
- Motion for Pro Bono GAL
- Motion Slip
- Notice of Motion
Forms to be completed for the court hearing:
- Report of Physician (Client must provide original Report of Physician for the hearing)
- Oath and Bond of Representative-No Surety
- Order Appointing Plenary Guardian for Adult with Disabilities
- Statement of Right to Discharge Guardian or Modify Guardianship Order
Miscellaneous Forms:
- Appearance and Consent
- Order Appointing Limited Guardian for Person with a Disability
- Petition for Temporary Guardian of Alleged Person with a Disability
- Order Appointing Temporary Guardian for Person with a Disability
- Petition to Extend Temporary Guardianship of Alleged Person with a Disability
- Order Extending Temporary Guardianship of Alleged Person with a Disability
- Instructions to Guardian of the Estate of an Adult with a Disability
- Guardian’s Annual Report Regarding Ward
- Guardianship Closing Letter
- Instructions for Guardians - Training and ARRW
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO MANUAL
An outline of the instructional videos is listed below. Click on any section to view a short instructional video. All documents described in the training videos can be found in the templates/pleadings section below.
PLEADING
FILING
INITIAL PRESENTATION
PARENTAL CONSENT
GUARDIAN AD LITEM
INVESTIGATION
INVESTIGATION - UNRELATED
CONTINUANCES AND MOTIONS
MOTION FOR DEFAULT
MOTION FOR ENTRY OF JUDGEMENT
POST JUDGEMENT
WRITTEN MANUALS
- Uncontested Adoption Manual
- Appendix I – Admin Order 2018-5 – Court Procedures
- Appendix II – 2018-2 Admin Order
- Appendix III – Admin Order 2017-2 – GAL Duties
- Appendix IV – Adoption GAL Appointments
- Appendix V – Requirements to Default a Parent
- Appendix VI – Fingerprinting Procedure
- Appendix VII – Required Fingerprinting Form
- Appendix VIII – Unrelated Case – DAFSS Fees
- Appendix IX – Unrelated Case – DAFSS Investigation Requirements
- Legal Server Guide
FORMS AND TEMPLATES
- Affidavit Due Diligence
- Affidavit for Publication
- Affidavit for Publication Multiple Defs
- Affidavit in Support of Petition to Adopt
- Affidavit of ID
- Affidavit of Military Service
- Affidavit of Separation
- Affidavit of Separation - Verified
- Affidavit for Service by Publication
- Affidavit of Special Process Server
- Application to Waive Court Costs (Old Rule 298 Petition)
- CANTS Form
- Case Management Order
- Case Management Order - Subsequent
- Case Management Order Without Custody Reference
- Certificate of Adoption
- CLSP
- Consent for Adoption By Specified Person
- Consent for Adoption
- Consent for Standby Adoption
- Consent of a Person Aged Fourteen or Older
- Cover Sheet
- Default Order - Personal Service
- Default Order - Publication Service
- Interim Order for Custody
- Interim Order - No Custody
- Judgment Order
- Motion for Appointment of Special Process Server
- Motion for Default
- Motion for Default and Entry of Judgement
- Motion for Entry of Judgement
- Motion for Order of DAFSS $15 Waiver
- Motion to Continue
- Motion to Waive Background Check or OACCA Fee
- Motion to Waive Publication Fees
- Notice of Filing
- Notice of Motion Without Service Type
- Notice of Motion Without Service Type 2
- Notice to Putative Father
- Order Appointing GAL and Investigator
- Order for Background Check Waiver
- Order for Free Publication
- Order for DAFSS Fee Waiver
- Order Granting File Access
- Order of Dismissal
- Petition for Adoption
- Putative Father Registry Search - (Contact Phil Mohr for CVLS' Free Login Info)
- Summons
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