If you need the assistance of a lawyer in filling out bankruptcy forms, you may seek help from the Bankruptcy Pro Se Help Desk. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in conjunction with the Chicago Bar Association and Legal Aid Chicago provide help. The volunteer lawyers are available to answer questions about filing out schedules, helping with motions and other pleadings or talking to you about appearing in court by yourself. To get this help, you should contact the paralegal who coordinates the Help Desk by calling 312-229-6344 or if you have a disability that makes a telephone call difficult, you may email ilbkhelpdesk@gmail.com. When you email or call, you should leave a message and the paralegal will contact you. The legal advice is free.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Bankruptcy Pro Se Help Desk, please contact Legal Aid Chicago at volunteer@legalaidchicago.org, or sign up through Legal Aid Chicago's website.

Rockford Bankruptcy Pro Se Help Desk:

Prairie State Legal Services has established a Legal Advice Line, 815-491-8110, for screening of income eligible clients who may wish to file a bankruptcy petition.  In addition, you may visit pslegal.org to complete an online application for services.