Our office does not have an income requirement, and attorney fees are routinely requested during the pendency of the case. Upon our appointment, the court orders a retainer fee. Our required retainer is $500 per party unless the court orders a different amount. Arrangements for payment of the retainer must be made when we are appointed to the case. Payments may be made by cashier’s check or money order only and made payable to the Office of the Public Guardian. In the memo section of the check, please write the name of the party and the case/docket number so that we can easily identify the case. In addition to the retainer fee, our office charges attorney fees, upon approval of the court. Our hourly rate is $110 and is generally split 50/50 between the parties unless the court orders a different split between the parties. All payments should be mailed to:
Office of the Public Guardian
Domestic Relations Division
69 West Washington, Suite 700
Chicago, Illinois 60602
