Chicago family law / Fees by service
What Minor Guardianship Representation Costs in Chicago
For full representation on a petition for guardianship of a minor, the fee is an initial payment of $1,500 to $2,500, followed by $500 to $650 per month beginning 30 days after the initial payment while representation remains active.
Initial consultations are free for people seeking to hire an attorney. Your fee is confirmed in writing before you engage the firm.
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Fee structure: Guardianship of a minor
You can request a flat-fee limited-scope engagement to have a minor guardianship petition drafted for you to file, or full representation to handle the petition and hearings about the child's care within the agreed scope. Full representation uses an initial payment plus monthly payments. A disputed proposed guardianship generally involves more work and a broader scope than an agreed matter. Call 312-965-5618 for a quote.
| Service level | How it is billed | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Full representation | Initial payment plus monthly payments | Initial payment of $1,500 to $2,500, then $500 to $650 per month beginning 30 days after the initial payment while representation remains active. |
| Limited scope: one defined task | Flat fee | Quoted after a consultation. Call 312-965-5618 for a quote. |
Limited-scope work is billed as a flat fee for a defined task. Full representation is billed as an initial payment plus monthly payments.
Full-representation fees cover drafting, hearings, motions and phone calls within the agreed scope. Expert fees and court filing costs are separate, are paid by the client and are not advanced by the firm. The written agreement confirms the fee, the covered work and separate expenses before you engage the firm. Any amount shown is not a quote for your matter.
Limited scope compared with full representation
Both options are confirmed in writing. Compare what each covers before you choose.
Limited scope (flat fee)
- Drafting a minor guardianship petition for you to file
- Review of your petition and supporting documents as a defined task to discuss and quote after a consultation
- Guardianship hearing preparation as a defined task to discuss and quote after a consultation
- Appearing for you at a specified guardianship hearing
Full representation (initial payment plus monthly payments)
- Drafting your guardianship petition and related documents
- Representing you at guardianship hearings
- Preparing and responding to motions about your proposed guardianship
- Phone calls about your guardianship petition
Usually outside the quoted fee
- Court filing costs, paid by you and not advanced by the firm
- Expert fees, paid by you and not advanced by the firm
- Service and evaluation costs, paid by you and not advanced by the firm
- Work outside the scope stated in your written agreement, discussed and confirmed in writing
Factors that move the total
The same case label can involve very different work. These factors shape the scope we quote.
The help you request
Having a petition drafted for you to file is different from hiring the firm to handle the petition and related court proceedings. Your choice of scope determines whether the fee is a limited-scope flat fee or an initial payment plus monthly payments.
Parents' circumstances
Information about the parents' circumstances and any disagreement over the proposed guardianship can affect the preparation, motions and hearings involved. Discuss those circumstances when requesting your quote.
Existing orders and records
Existing orders involving the child and records about current care arrangements may need review before a petition is prepared. The amount of review can affect the work included in your quote.
School and medical concerns
Explain any school or medical decisions that prompted you to seek guardianship. These concerns help define the requested work and any related hearing preparation.
Changes during representation
Additional disputes, motions or hearings can change the work needed for your petition. Full representation includes monthly payments while representation remains active, and your written agreement confirms the fee, covered work and separate expenses before you engage the firm.
Bring these to your consultation
- A description of who currently cares for the child and the responsibilities you want to assume
- Information about the parents' circumstances and any known disagreement about guardianship
- Copies of existing orders involving the child
- Relevant school or medical documents connected to your request
- Any petition drafts you prepared and any court papers you have received about the child
Guardianship of a minor fees
Frequently asked questions
Pricing and process questions, answered in general terms.
What does the full-representation fee cover?
Full representation uses an initial payment plus monthly payments, not a flat fee. Within the agreed scope, it covers drafting your guardianship petition and related documents, hearings about the child's care, motions about the proposed guardianship and phone calls about your petition. Court filing costs and expert fees are separate, paid by you and not advanced by the firm.
How do payments work for limited-scope help?
Limited-scope representation has a flat fee for a defined task, such as drafting your guardianship petition or appearing at a specified hearing. It is usually paid up front, although in some cases the fee can be paid in two installments. Your written agreement confirms the task and payment terms before you engage the firm.
How do existing orders or records about the child affect your quote?
Bring existing orders and records about the child's care so you can discuss the review needed for your guardianship petition and the scope of your quote. Incomplete records mean more work to gather them. The scope of your written agreement controls what the fee covers.
How do I start and request a quote?
Call 312-965-5618 for a quote from Chicago Family Attorneys LLC about your minor guardianship petition. The initial consultation is free for people seeking to hire an attorney. We handle family law only and serve Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.