Housing Law Help Priced by What You Can Afford
Chicago Advocate Legal, NFP is a nonprofit law firm. For housing cases, every fee we charge, from your first consultation to motions, depositions, and trial, is set by your household size and income. You see your price in writing before we begin.
Before you pay for a housing lawyer, check whether you can get help at no cost:
- Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD): free help with eviction, foreclosure, and related problems for Cook County residents and property owners. Call (855) 956-5763, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 4:30.
- Chicago Advocate Legal, NFP: some of our help is free for households that qualify through grant-funded programs. When you complete your intake, we check whether you qualify before we talk about fees.
What We Handle
Eviction Defense
Tenants facing an eviction case in Cook County.
- Defending the case in court
- Time to move or a payment agreement
- Sealing questions after the case
Tenant Rights
Tenants with problems while they still live in the unit.
- Security deposit claims
- Bad conditions and repairs
- Lockouts and lease disputes
Small Landlords
Owners of small rental buildings.
- Eviction cases
- Breach of lease
- Security deposit disputes
Foreclosure Defense
Homeowners behind on the mortgage.
- Defending the foreclosure case
- Loan modification and mediation
- Time and options before a sale
Condominium Association Disputes
Unit owners in a dispute with their association.
- Assessment and fine disputes
- Rule enforcement
- Association eviction cases
Ordinance Violation Defense
Owners cited by the City or a village.
- Building code violations
- Housing court cases
- Administrative hearings
How Our Fees Work
Your fee is based on two things: what your household can afford, and how much work your case is likely to take. Everything, including court work and travel, is listed in one written agreement before we begin.
Find your fee level
Use your household’s total yearly income before taxes. Your household is you and the people who live with you and share income. We ask for proof, such as pay stubs or a tax return.
Swipe the table sideways to see every level.
| Household size | Level A | Level B | Level C | Level D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | Up to $31,920 | $31,921 to $47,880 | $47,881 to $63,840 | Over $63,840 |
| 2 people | Up to $43,280 | $43,281 to $64,920 | $64,921 to $86,560 | Over $86,560 |
| 3 people | Up to $54,640 | $54,641 to $81,960 | $81,961 to $109,280 | Over $109,280 |
| 4 people | Up to $66,000 | $66,001 to $99,000 | $99,001 to $132,000 | Over $132,000 |
| 5 people | Up to $77,360 | $77,361 to $116,040 | $116,041 to $154,720 | Over $154,720 |
| 6 people | Up to $88,720 | $88,721 to $133,080 | $133,081 to $177,440 | Over $177,440 |
Levels follow the 2026 federal poverty guidelines: Level A up to 200%, Level B up to 300%, Level C up to 400%, and Level D above 400%. Households of 7 or more, please call us.
Find your housing case fee
When we represent you in your case, you pay an opening fee at signing, then a monthly fee by automatic payment while your case is open. The same fee applies to every type of housing case below.
Swipe the table sideways to see every level.
| Housing case | Level A | Level B | Level C | Level D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eviction defense for tenantsDefending your eviction case, including negotiating time to move, a payment agreement, or dismissal | $2,000to open your casethen $400 a month while your case is open | $2,750to open your casethen $500 a month while your case is open | $3,500to open your casethen $600 a month while your case is open | $4,250to open your casethen $700 a month while your case is open |
| Tenant rightsSecurity deposit claims, bad conditions and repairs, lockouts, and other lease disputes | $2,000to open your casethen $400 a month while your case is open | $2,750to open your casethen $500 a month while your case is open | $3,500to open your casethen $600 a month while your case is open | $4,250to open your casethen $700 a month while your case is open |
| Small landlordsEviction cases, breach of lease, and security deposit disputes | $2,000to open your casethen $400 a month while your case is open | $2,750to open your casethen $500 a month while your case is open | $3,500to open your casethen $600 a month while your case is open | $4,250to open your casethen $700 a month while your case is open |
| Foreclosure defenseDefending your home in foreclosure court and working toward a solution you can afford | $2,000to open your casethen $400 a month while your case is open | $2,750to open your casethen $500 a month while your case is open | $3,500to open your casethen $600 a month while your case is open | $4,250to open your casethen $700 a month while your case is open |
| Condominium association disputesUnit owners in disputes with their association over assessments, rules, or eviction | $2,000to open your casethen $400 a month while your case is open | $2,750to open your casethen $500 a month while your case is open | $3,500to open your casethen $600 a month while your case is open | $4,250to open your casethen $700 a month while your case is open |
| Ordinance violation defenseBuilding code and other ordinance cases in housing court or at administrative hearings | $2,000to open your casethen $400 a month while your case is open | $2,750to open your casethen $500 a month while your case is open | $3,500to open your casethen $600 a month while your case is open | $4,250to open your casethen $700 a month while your case is open |
Consultations and limited scope services:
Swipe the table sideways to see every level.
| Other services | Level A | Level B | Level C | Level D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation45 to 60 minutes; credited to your fee if you hire us within 30 days | $75consultationPaid in full | $100consultationPaid in full | $125consultationPaid in full | $150consultationPaid in full |
| Limited scope: one court appearanceSupreme Court Rule 13 limited scope appearance | $2,000per appearancePaid in full at signing | $2,750per appearancePaid in full at signing | $3,500per appearancePaid in full at signing | $4,250per appearancePaid in full at signing |
| Document review or draftingLease review, notices, demand letters, or settlement papers; no court appearance | $500flat feePaid in full at signing | $650flat feePaid in full at signing | $800flat feePaid in full at signing | $950flat feePaid in full at signing |
Court work, depositions, and trial
These are added to your case fee only when your case needs them, and you will know the price before the work happens. Each one is priced by your level.
Swipe the table sideways to see every level.
| Court work | Level A | Level B | Level C | Level D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency motionFiled and presented to the court, such as a motion to stay an eviction or a sale | $1,500per motionPaid before the date | $2,000per motionPaid before the date | $2,500per motionPaid before the date | $3,000per motionPaid before the date |
| Evidentiary hearingWitnesses and evidence before the judge | $2,000per hearing dayPaid before the date | $2,750per hearing dayPaid before the date | $3,500per hearing dayPaid before the date | $4,250per hearing dayPaid before the date |
| Trial discoveryWritten discovery, document requests, and exchange before trial | $1,000per casePaid before the date | $1,375per casePaid before the date | $1,750per casePaid before the date | $2,125per casePaid before the date |
| Deposition, remoteTaking or defending one deposition by video | $2,000per depositionPaid before the date | $2,750per depositionPaid before the date | $3,500per depositionPaid before the date | $4,250per depositionPaid before the date |
| Deposition, in personTaking or defending one deposition in person | $2,500per depositionPaid before the date | $3,500per depositionPaid before the date | $4,500per depositionPaid before the date | $5,500per depositionPaid before the date |
| Trial day, 4 hours or lessEach day of bench or jury trial lasting 4 hours or less | $4,000per trial dayPaid before the date | $5,500per trial dayPaid before the date | $7,000per trial dayPaid before the date | $8,500per trial dayPaid before the date |
| Trial day, over 4 hoursEach day of bench or jury trial lasting more than 4 hours | $7,000per trial dayPaid before the date | $9,000per trial dayPaid before the date | $11,000per trial dayPaid before the date | $13,000per trial dayPaid before the date |
Court work is charged in addition to your opening and monthly fees, only when your case needs it, and is paid before the date. Court reporter and transcript costs for depositions are separate, at actual cost. Trial fees are paid before trial as a security retainer held in our client trust account and applied on each day of trial; any unused amount is refunded.
Travel outside Chicago
When we travel outside the City of Chicago for a court date, deposition, trial day, inspection, or meeting, a travel fee is added for each round trip. Distance is one-way driving miles from our office at 211 W. Wacker Dr.
Swipe the table sideways to see every level.
| Distance | Level A | Level B | Level C | Level D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside the City of Chicago | No travel fee | No travel fee | No travel fee | No travel fee |
| Up to 30 milesIncludes the Cook County suburban courthouses in Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview, and Markham | $100per round tripPaid before the trip | $200per round tripPaid before the trip | $300per round tripPaid before the trip | $400per round tripPaid before the trip |
| 31 to 60 miles | $200per round tripPaid before the trip | $300per round tripPaid before the trip | $400per round tripPaid before the trip | $500per round tripPaid before the trip |
| 61 to 100 miles | $300per round tripPaid before the trip | $400per round tripPaid before the trip | $500per round tripPaid before the trip | $600per round tripPaid before the trip |
| More than 100 miles | Quoted in writing before travel | Quoted in writing before travel | Quoted in writing before travel | Quoted in writing before travel |
| Remote appearanceBy video or phone, when the court allows it | No travel fee | No travel fee | No travel fee | No travel fee |
Your travel zone is listed in your written agreement. If the court allows a remote appearance and it serves your case, we appear remotely and there is no travel fee. Travel fees are due before the trip.
See your fee and payments
An estimate only. Your exact fee is set in your written agreement after your consultation.
Our commitments to you
Every motion, deposition, trial day, and travel fee is priced by your level and agreed in writing before the work happens.
No lawyer can guarantee a result. We will tell you what is realistic, including whether a free program may fit your case better.
We will review your level and your monthly fee. Call us right away if you fall behind.
Your fee covers
- Your consultation and an assessment of your case
- Preparing and filing your court papers
- Regular court dates and status hearings
- Negotiation with the other side, including move-out, payment, and settlement agreements
- Mediation and settlement conferences
Not included
- Emergency motions, evidentiary hearings, trial discovery, depositions, and trial days (priced by your level above)
- Travel outside Chicago (priced by your level above)
- Filing fees, service of process, court reporters, transcripts, inspectors, and experts, at actual cost
- Appeals
How payment works
- Housing cases: opening fee due at signing, then the monthly fee by automatic payment while your case is open
- Consultations, limited scope services, and document help are paid in full
- Court work, depositions, trial days, and travel are paid before the date
- You may qualify to have court filing fees waived; ask us
Common questions
Should I call a free program first?
Yes. Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt offers free help with eviction, foreclosure, and related problems at (855) 956-5763. If a free program cannot take your case, or you want your own attorney, we are here.
Do you help landlords?
Yes, owners of small rental buildings. Landlords use the same fee levels, based on household income, and the same written agreement.
Can the other side be ordered to pay my attorney fees?
Sometimes. Some Chicago and Illinois housing laws let the court order the other side to pay attorney fees. We will tell you at your consultation if your case may qualify.
Why is court work priced separately?
Some cases settle at the first court date. Others need hearings, depositions, and trial. That extra work is priced separately, and your level sets what you pay for it.
What if my case is outside Chicago?
We handle cases in Cook County and surrounding counties. A travel fee, priced by your level and distance, is added for each trip outside the City of Chicago. When the court allows us to appear by video, there is no travel fee.
Why does my price depend on my income?
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm. IRS guidance for nonprofit legal services ties fees to what clients can afford, so every fee we charge, including motions, depositions, trial days, and travel, is set by your level.
Talk to Our Housing Team
Start your intake to talk about your case, your options, and a fee your household can manage.
Start Your Intake