About 8 months ago my daughters father and I seperated. My daughter lives with me and her father provides child support. However, he has an attorney and I dont becuase I cant afford one since I am a single parent dealing with bills on my own. He is seeking joint custody with his attorney and I am representing myself and I feel with the help of my own attorney I can avoid any mistakes. The only problem though is my inability to afford one.
Please help in reffering an attorney who is affordable and can accept payment plans.
Try the legal assistance foundation. Also start writing everything down, phone calls, visits, conversations. Keep a diary. You never know when it will come in handy. You can also hire an attorney and ask that your husband pay the legal fees. Try James Karotsuchi, Chicago, IL or Carol DiGiaccamo, Northbrook, IL. I don't have the number handy. You can search them online. Check the ARDC website for numbers. Good luck.
S.-
You can call Russ Stewart-he is fair and charges according to the job. He will provide phone consultation free of charge and speak with his secretary Michelle-she is great:). Also find out from Russ about having the ex pay your attorney fees. The state will allow joint custody that is pretty standard. GET EVERYTHING in writing-the schedule, phone calls, weekends, etcc... make sure that you do not want to upset your daughter's routine. Usually joint custody is 2 weekends a month for dad, every other holiday and 2 weeks in the summer. Of course the age of your daughter is also a factor but try to stick with the same for school aged children. Unless your ex is abusive this is what the state and the judges stick with.
Hope this helps!!
###-###-####-make sure you tell them I referred you and good luck.
Let me know if you have any other questions and he has office hours from 12-6. In the morning he is in court. He is located in uptown Park Ridge.
T. V.
I have no recommendation but please avoid Beermann Swerdlove
S.:
try Roselynn Don... ###-###-####
P.,RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
Call the "Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc." ###-###-####. They charge you based on your income.
Best of luck!
Definitly don't represent yourself!!! I'd reccommend that you call a few lawyers and explain your situation, chances are they will have some sort of payment plan in place. Once the case gets going the lawyer can file a motion to require your ex to pay your lawyer fees. I don't know what if any payment plan options they have but my husband works for The Law Office of Jeffrey Leving you might want to try calling them.
If you qualify, there are MANY low income providers who offer their services for free or very minimal cost. Otherwise, call Don Schiller's office (Schiller, DuCanto & Fleck) at ###-###-#### and he can direct you to the appropriate attorney. You can tell them M. Graham sent you. If Don's initial consultation fee is out of your budget, try Jessica Interlandi at his firm (half price). Tell them both M. sent you. They are my divorce attorneys now.
