One clinic each month is staffed by a single large law firm, while the other monthly clinic is staffed by a variety of volunteer lawyers. The Pro Bono Coordinator, a staff member of the Prairie State Legal Services office, prescreens clients for financial eligibility, and an initial assessment is made that the client needs only legal advice rather than representation. If the volunteer attorney determines that the client needs legal representation, the matter is referred to the Prairie State office, or can be referred to the volunteer attorney. The Peoria County Pro Bono Program conducts Divorce Clinics on a quarterly basis. Approximately 20 persons are helped by between four and six volunteer attorneys at each clinic.
Clients receive legal assistance in their divorce case.
The Pro Bono Coordinator prescreens the clients for income eligibility and to make sure that only uncontested cases are referred to the clinic. The Coordinator prepares initial paperwork, including a draft Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Prior to the clinic, the volunteer attorney will be given a list of clients to make a conflicts check. The volunteer also reviews all of the initial paperwork to determine the accuracy of the documents. On the night of the clinic, the assembled clients are given an overview of the clinic process, and asked to sign a retainer agreement.