Welcome to Doorway to Hope (Elgin, IL)

Get the legal advice you need.

Don’t let your legal issue hold you back. For only $30, schedule a 45-minute session with one of our attorneys and receive support from the team.

We help with legal issues including:

Landlord / tenant
Debt / collections
Estate planning
Immigration
Criminal records
Divorce / custody

An appointment at our center provides:

Answers to your legal questions

A Next Steps Plan to overcome your challenges

Caring support for your situation

Hours:

Third Saturdays
9:00am – 12:00pm

Address:

1735 W. Highland Ave.
Elgin, IL 60123

Walk-ins welcome!
Spanish appointments available.

Schedule an appointment with the link below
or call toll-free (855) 818-4554

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Find another location

FAQ

Below are answers to common questions you may have about your visit and receiving legal help at your appointment.

What kinds of cases do you help with?

We can help you with any legal question. We are the best place to start to help you know what to do next. The most common areas of legal help we provide include:

What kind of help do you offer?

We offer three levels of service: legal, social, and spiritual. Our legal help is limited engagement assistance. This means the lawyer represents you in a limited capacity. They will coach you on a specific next steps plan for your circumstance but not represent you on an ongoing basis. Our social assistance is resource coaching provided by a client advocate to ensure you have additional support as needed. Our spiritual assistance is optional and consists of prayer and the offer to connect you with a church.

Will the attorney represent me?

No. The attorney will give you legal advice and a next steps plan to guide you through your circumstance. They will also empower you with referrals to other resources as needed. The attorney will not go to court for you or represent you in your case.

Can someone be with me for the appointment?

Depends. You may have a friend with you if they are not involved in your issue. You will be told this waives an attorney-client privilege, but we often find a friend helpful for understanding and remembering the legal help provided.

Can I bring my children with me to my appointment?

Many centers provide care for children but ask that they not be present during the attorney consultation. Contact your specific center to find out what they provide.

Do you have income guidelines?

No. We exist to provide legal aid those who cannot afford the high cost of lawyers. If that is you, then please make an appointment with us.

Is there a minimum age for booking an appointment?

Yes, the minimum age is 18 unless you are asking about being emancipated (legally requesting adult status before 18)

What is the cost?

We charge a one-time $30 copay per case. You may come back to follow-up on your Next Steps plan at no additional cost. If you have a new legal issue arise there will be a new copay.

What is your refund policy?

Paying a $30 copay per case is an important way Administer Justice’s clients participate as partners in seeking justice.

All copays are nonrefundable once collected. However, if you request that your appointment be rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance, the copay will be applied to the rescheduled appointment.

Administer Justice reserves the right to refuse to schedule clients for appointments based on repeated cancellations.

Can I reschedule my appointment?

Requests to reschedule an appointment must be made at least 24 before the appointment. Call (855) 818-4554 to reschedule at the same or nearby center.

Administer Justice reserves the right to refuse to schedule clients for appointments based on repeated cancellations.

Do you offer interpreting?

Yes, several of our centers provide Spanish translation and other languages may be accommodated. Please indicate your need prior to your appointment by calling (855) 818-4554 or emailing hope@administerjustice.org.

Do you only help Christians?

No. We provide legal help to all people regardless of race, religion, sex, immigration status, sexual orientation, or any other status. We believe God loves all people and so do we. We serve because of our faith and our teams have great love and compassion for all our neighbors.

What if I have a disability?

Our centers seek to provide reasonable accommodations for clients. Please check with your specific center on what they provide.

Have more questions? Call (855) 818-4554

Hear From Some of Our Clients

What to Expect
at Your Appointment

Hospitality

The team will warmly welcome you. They will provide food and drinks. They will help with any children present.

Gathering Info

Our Client Intake Specialist will check you in. They will ask about you and your legal issue. They will also collect or confirm payment of the $30 copay. This is all you will pay for help related to your legal issue.

Professional Help

Our Attorney will listen to your story with compassion. They will review your legal issue and create a Next Steps Plan with you.

Additional Support

Our Client Advocate is on your side. They will review your plan, answer your questions, and offer prayer. We want you to have the support you need. You will receive a folder from us to store information and resources.

Follow-up

We will follow up with you at regular intervals to see how you are doing. We come alongside you to continue to pray for you. We support you as you address barriers to move forward with your plan.

Hear From Past Clients

"Notes were taken for me. Easy Next Steps were provided. It was a safe, non-condemning environment."

SAM

"I was overwhelmed and didn't know where to turn. The lawyer put me at ease. Now I know what to do. Thank you."

JENNY

"The people trying to help me were 'real' people. There was no fakeness to them. It is easier to trust people like this."

FRAN

"Administer Justice is such a blessing! This ministry is a Godsend...It is well-organized and the minimal fee does not compare to the expert advice the attorneys provide."

MARY

"The team and the attorney were so kind and compassionate and so welcoming to my needs."

BRADEN

"I was extremely nervous, I had no direction, I was lost. The attorney calmed me with her tenderness, she gave me hope."

VIVIAN

"If you feel stuck with a legal burden, this is a good place to seek some helpful advice from caring individuals."

PERRY

"They all actively listened and gave concrete feedback and direction for next steps to be taken."

MARIE

"It was my very first time I felt I was a valued person. Being heard was a rare recognition according to my past experiences."

GEORGIA

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Join the team.

Do you feel called to be a part of a team providing access to justice for your neighbors in need? Click the link below to access training in one of the eight volunteer positions.

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Administer Justice

Administer Justice exists to equip churches in the work of justice for those in need. Learn more to get involved or support our work financially with the links below.

About Us