Explanation of Fees
GCLC is committed to providing affordable legal help to our neighbors in need. While many of our services are free, others involve fees on a sliding scale based on income.
Family Law
In certain types of cases GCLC is able to provide advice, brief services, and representation at no cost to the client. When this is not an option, fees are calculated on an income-based sliding scale.
Domestic Violence
GCLC provides free representation for Orders of Protection and family safety litigation.
Immigration Program
We do not charge fees for immigration matters involving domestic violence (U visas, VAWA petitions). GCLC partners with Illinois Access to Justice, a statewide initiative supporting community-based legal aid services. If you qualify for assistance through this program, services will be provided at no cost to you. If your case does not qualify for support through Illinois Access to Justice, fees are calculated on an income-based sliding scale.
Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Reconsiderations and Appeals
There is no up-front charge for representation in Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income Disability reconsiderations and appeals. If a favorable decision for the client results from the appeal, the Social Security Administration withholds a portion of past-due benefits to cover attorney fees, which are paid directly to GCLC.
Consumer Program
We do not charge fees for this program.
Criminal Records Program
We offer free full representation for the expungement or sealing of all eligible Cook County cases for individuals with cannabis cases in their background as part of New Leaf Illinois. We also offer free brief services to research, draft, and e-file Cook County expungement and sealing cases for individuals who attend a GCLC outreach event but do not qualify for New Leaf. For all other criminal records services, we charge a flat fee set via a sliding scale based on income.
Eviction Program
We do not charge fees for this program.
Real Estate Program
We charge fees for real estate matters on a sliding scale based on income.