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Family Law Legal Services Provided by Nottage and Ward, LLP

Deciding to retain legal counsel can be a difficult decision, made even more complex when family is directly involved. At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we appreciate the weight that is associated with such decisions and understand the ramifications that often follow. That is why our firm is solely dedicated to family law in the Chicago area. By providing a strong and authoritative focus, our clients can rest assured knowing our firm has their family’s best interests and future squarely in mind. For more information on how to reach us and what an initial consultation entails, please contact us by calling (312) 332-2915 at your earliest convenience.

We balance the client's unique, immediate, emotional needs with a realistic assessment of future requirements.

Then, we get to work, framing the strategy and long-term solution.

We handle negotiation and litigation related to:

Divorce

In Illinois, the process of divorce begins when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

Family Law

Family law covers a wide range of issues pertaining to families, including marriage, paternity, allocation, domestic partnership, children, adoption, and divorce.

Adoption

Like marriage, adoption is a legal means of adding someone to your immediate family. Adoption can be a complex and time-consuming process.

Child Allocation and Visitation Issues

Child allocation in Illinois includes two separate types of allocation. Legal allocation describes who makes important decisions on behalf of the child.

Bankruptcy in a Divorce

Financial difficulties can take a heavy toll on a marriage. In some cases, the strain becomes too much for the spouses to bear.

Business Valuations in a Divorce

Divorce is similar to a business transaction, and in many divorces, setting a value on and dividing the family business is a major concern.

Child Removal and Relocation

Child removal can be one of the most contentious and emotionally-charged issues to arise during or after a divorce in Illinois. If you and your (former) spouse are currently involved in this type of dispute, an attorney may help.

Child Support

Divorce is a stressful and emotionally trying process. When children are involved, the battle between spouses can become even more contentious. In any divorce involving children, both parents presumably want what is best for the children.

Civil Unions

With the passage of the "Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act" in December 2010, unmarried, unrelated adults of any sexual orientation who are at least 18 years of age are able to enter into a civil union. Though same-sex marriage is legal, civil unions remain a viable option for many couples.

Collaborative Divorce and Mediation

Collaborative divorce and mediation are two options that can be used separately or together to finalize a divorce without unnecessary fighting or animosity.

Complex High-Asset Divorce

When divorcing spouses have high-value assets between them, proceedings can become contentious because each individual wants to retain his/her fair portion of the assets involved, yet it is very difficult to determine an equitable distribution of assets.

Confidentiality Agreements

A confidentiality agreement protects sensitive legal, business, or other information by requiring that said matters be kept private and are not disclosed to uninvolved parties.

Domestic Partnership Agreement

Today, many couples are choosing alternatives to marriage.

Grandparents' Rights

Grandparents have a right to visitation with their grandchildren. Depending on the circumstances of a specific case, grandparents could even be awarded allocation of their grandchild.

Hidden Assets in Divorce

The process of dividing assets in a divorce is almost always a difficult matter. Contentious disputes must be resolved, complex assets must be sorted out, and, in some cases, hidden assets must be discovered.

Joint Allocation

Joint allocation allows both parents to maintain the power to make significant decisions for their child.

LGBTQ+ Family Law

Same-sex couples go through the same legal issues as heterosexual couples when it comes to issues such as drafting pre-nuptial agreements, divorce/separation, child allocation and parenting time, child support, and maintenance (alimony).

Maintenance

Illinois law permits courts to order maintenance, also known as spousal support or alimony, under appropriate circumstances after a divorce.

Military Divorce

When considering a divorce, especially when one or both individuals involved are members of the Armed Services, it is important to speak with a dedicated military divorce attorney who understands the complexities involved.

Illinois Family Law Mediation

Ending a marriage is one of the biggest decisions that couples can make and oftentimes, one of the most traumatic.

Order of Protection

An order of protection in Illinois divorce courts is a civil order that protects a person from someone who is harming him or her.

Domestic Violence Victims

Parenting Time

Children are at the center of many family law disputes.

Paternity

Illinois state law considers paternity to be the parental relationship established between a man and a child dependent on a number of various factors..

Pet Allocation

Since there are few laws concerning pet allocation and divorce, if you do end up in front of a judge, you'll want to present a strong case.

Post-Decree Dispute

An Illinois post-decree proceeding takes place after a decree of divorce, legal separation, or dissolution of marriage occurs.

Post-Nuptial Agreement

A post-nuptial agreement is a legal document that can relate to a wide variety of subject matter, including financial issues, maintenance, property and asset division in the event of a divorce, separation, or death of a spouse.

Pre-Nuptial Agreement

Pre-nuptial agreements in Illinois are legal documents which codify a couple's intent prior to getting married.

Property Division

You are thinking of filing for divorce or the process is already underway. What will happen to your house?

Retirement Accounts

Deciding to end a marriage can be more difficult than the choice of getting married in the first place.

Same-Sex Adoption

The legal landscape for same-sex couples in Illinois has vastly improved from what it was even a decade ago. The loopholes that previously tripped up even the most air-tight adoption applications are no longer.

Separation

Let's face it; we all reach the end of our rope at some point. For many people, this happens in their relationship with their spouse.

Sole Allocation

A divorce can be one of the most traumatic events in a person's life, but you don't have to be a victim.

Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce

It is understandable for divorcing spouses to endure enormous amounts of emotional and mental distress due to their intimate history and the implications of starting a new life apart from one another.

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Client Reviews

5 Leslie has been the strongest representation I could ask for

Leslie has been the strongest representation I could ask for in a very complicated, emotional matter. She has continuously looked out for my best interest and the best interest of my son. She is always prompt in getting back to me and in keeping me well informed about my case.
- Sean