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Catholic Charities Legal Services

CC legal services logo 1.jpgCatholic Charities Legal Services assists people residing within the Roman Catholic Charities Diocese of Springfield in Illinois with little to no income in obtaining Pro bono legal assistance from area attorneys in specialized fields while also providing compassion, empathy, and a listening ear to all who come seeking help. Through the CCLS program, our program director matches a client's legal case with an area lawyer who has agreed to represent him/her. 

Catholic Charities Legal Services believes that regardless of a person's ability to pay, every human being has a right to competent legal counsel. Through CCLS, the program director matches a client's legal case with an area lawyer who has agreed to represent the client. This community-based, quality legal services program provides qualifying clients with the best legal service area lawyers can offer, with compassion, empathy, and a listening ear to all the clients who come seeking help. 


CCLS provides assistance in these areas:

Adoption

To learn more about adoptions, your rights, and how to start the process of adoption, click here.


Creditor and Debtor Issues

CCLS refers many creditor/debtor cases to Legal Advocates for Seniors and People with Disabilities.

If you are curious about filing for bankruptcy, we suggest that you read about the steps involved and what kind of bankruptcy would best suit you. Visit IL Legal Aid.

Guardianship

You must be heard in court for Guardianship cases. To learn more about guardianships, visit Illinois Legal Aid Online.

To obtain a State Guardianship, visit GAC IL

Another useful site for general questions is Law Depot.

Immigration Referral

Visit "The Immigration Project", for more information and additional resources. CCLS refers the majority of immigration cases to "The Immigration Project."

Landlord-Tenant

Here are a few questions to expect to be asked if you have a landlord-tenant issue:

  • Do you have a lease?
  • How long have you lived there?
  • Have you ever received an eviction notice?

If you have a lease, please send it to legalservices@cc.dio.org following your initial call.

To learn more about your rights as a renter/landlord, visit Illinois Legal Aid Online.


Government Benefits

To see a list of Government Benefits and Services in the Sangamon Co. area (and other surrounding counties), click here.

Wills and Probate

If you do not have a will, select "Free Will!"

Answer the questions and once you are done, print out the form and take it to a bank to have it notarized for free.

Another useful site for general questions is Law Depot.

If you believe that you qualify for our services, begin filling out the intake form from the link below. Once it has been completed, our legal assistant will begin working to find a volunteer attorney for you or our legal director may be able to assist you. 

CCLS Intake Form

Do you have a will? If you do not, select ‘Free Will’ below and follow the instructions. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at 217-523-9201.

Free Will

Contact Information: 

Phone Number: 217-523-9201, Ext. 317

Email: legalservices@cc.dio.org

Resources   

 

Additional Legal Services


Common Forms

Click here for a full list of approved standardized statewide forms.


Community Resources
  • Springfield Community Resources
  • Children's Home and Aid Society (618-334-4246)
  • Sojourn Crisis Shelter (217-726-5100)
  • Oasis Women's Center (618-465-1978)
  • Mercy Communities
  • Catholic Charities Springfield (217-523-4551)
  • Catholic Charities Carlinville (217-854-4511)
  • Catholic Charities Decatur (217-428-3458)
  • Catholic Charities STL (314-367-5500)
  • Mason Co. Meals on Wheels (217-428-3459)
  • Equip for Equality
  • Catholic Charities Granite City (618-877-1184)
  • Catholic Charities Belleville (618-235-9601)
  • NAMI (217-522-1403)
Governmental Services

Click here for a full list of Governmental Resources/Services.


Homeless Shelters (Springfield Area)
Counties in the Springfield Diocese

Adams, Bond, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Fayette, Greene, Jasper, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Macon, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Pike, Sangamon, Scott, and Shelby