Services
Ms. Petelle is a general practice attorney. She focuses her practice on individuals, families, and small businesses. The bulk of her practice is made up of estate work - including wills, trusts, advance medical directives, and living wills - and contractual work, primarily for small businesses. Among the areas in which she regularly practices are:
- Wills, trusts, and estates
- Living wills and advance medical directives (e.g., DNRs)
- Contracts for small businesses, including sales, purchase, work orders, non-compete agreements, etc.
- Business incorporations
- Elder law
- First Amendment law, especially religious issues and press freedom issues
- Consumer advocacy
- Landlord/Tenant issues
- Small business collections
- FSBO home sales and purchases
- General advice for small businesses on legal issues
- Other areas where individuals, families, and small businesses need advice
The other area in which Ms. Petelle specializes is religious and non-profit organizations. She has a great deal of experience in dealing with these types of organizations and is often able to provide reduced rates for these organizations.
Ms. Petelle does not handle divorces or major corporate litigation, and is not, at this time, accepting new litigation clients, but she is happy to offer referrals to excellent area lawyers and law firms who do handle these issues.
Fees
General rate: $150/hour
Ms. Petelle works hard to keep her overhead low and keep her rates lower than other lawyers in the area so that average families and small businesses can afford her services. Discounted rates or alternative payment plans and methods, including barter, may be available to families or small businesses that cannot pay $150/hour.
Because she is keenly aware of the shortfalls of ministerial salaries, she offers a discount rate for ordained ministers. She also offers the discount rate for public school teachers, police, firefighters, and servicemen and women in the U.S. Armed Forces, out of gratitude for their services to the community and country and recognition of their frequently tight financial circumstances.
Initial consultations are always free of charge.
Some types of work can be done for a flat fee, including simple wills and standard business contracts.
House Calls
Families and small business owners today are busy. Ms. Petelle makes house calls to help relieve this burden. She can meet with you at your office or dining room table, at any time during normal business hours or in the evenings.
There is no charge for house calls unless they require Ms. Petelle to drive more than 20 miles from ZIP code 61604. If she can arrange other meetings on that day in your area, she may be able to reduce or eliminate your travel charges.
Ms. Petelle is frequently in the Chicago area on business and is happy to see Chicago-area clients.