Divorce & Family
Law Attorneys
Divorce
A competent attorney is key in settling your divorce in a timely manner. We can help you navigate your divorce and work towards a fair resolution.
Child Custody
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, formerly known as child custody in Illinois, refers to the care, maintenance, and control of a minor child.
Paternity
Our firm supports clients who are facing a paternity case. We devise a legal strategy to help protect your parental rights.
Prenups & Postnups
If you and your partner are looking to create a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, our firm is here to help. We work hard to ensure your contract serves your best interests.
Child Support
We offer assistance to those who need to determine child support. Our skilled attorneys are prepared to represent you in court.
Same-Sex Marriage
Our divorce attorneys work with cases involving the dissolution of same-sex marriages and civil unions. We provide you with the guidance that you need.
Domestic Violence
We have extensive experience as advocates for those who experienced domestic violence. You can depend on our attorneys for sound legal advice during this challenging time.
Guardian Ad Litem
As your child’s Guardian Ad Litem, we represent their best interests in child custody cases and fight for the best outcome.
Mediation Services
Divorce can be a complex process. If there is an ongoing dispute between you and the other party, you may benefit from our mediation services.
Property Division
We are experienced negotiators and have successfully settled cases involving marital and non-marital property.
Spousal Support
Spousal support is a complicated area of family law. We will guide you through the steps and help you determine an appropriate amount of maintenance.
Chicago
Divorce Attorneys
WARD FAMILY LAW, LLC was established to provide clients with access to excellent advocates, negotiators, mediators, and experienced litigators. Ms. Ward, a skilled Chicago divorce lawyer and the founder of WARD FAMILY LAW, LLC, has exclusively practiced matrimonial and family law nearly 20 years and continues as Adjunct Faculty at The John Marshall Law School teaching family law legal writing to law students since 2005; the legal writing program is ranked #6 in the country for law school writing programs by US News & World Report (2019). Ms. Ward also had the honor of speaking at the “Leaving a Long-Term Marriage” workshop produced by The Lilac Tree, an Evanston-based not-for-profit resource for women contemplating divorce. She has also provided a matrimonial-related lecture series at The Latin School of Chicago Adult Education Program and on more than one occasion has lent her commentary to Chicago Tribune related publications on family law articles and topics of interest. The classroom, lecturing, publishing and courtroom experience provides clients with well-rounded representation, finesse at settlement negotiation, precise drafting skills, and litigation expertise.
The Typical Divorce
Process In Illinois
Consult with an attorney at one week prior to needing to initiate any action.
Signing off on an engagement letter, information intake sheet and payment of a retainer formalizes the attorney-client relationship to commence a case or initiate any action with the court.
Completion and exchange of financial affidavits, preparations of balance sheets, calculations of support, and issuance of formal discovery.
If minor children are involved, these two components are key aspects to an allocation judgment.
Reviewing settlement options with the client to discuss global settlement of terms taking Illinois law into consideration.
If there remain items of concern then sometimes mediation will allow the parties to reach an agreement outside of the courtroom.
Court intervention can occur at any stage wherein the parties are unable to reach an agreement.
Marital settlement agreement and formalization of settlement terms for entry by the Judge.
Formalization of parenting time and decision-making for entry by the Judge.
The parties either proceed to prove-up or the next stage is preparations in setting the case for trial, including formal discovery completion, depositions, subpoenas, witness lists, expert reports and the like.
Our
Practice
Areas
Divorce
Our firm represents clients of various personal and professional backgrounds with each client having their own unique issues and concerns, but all are going through the same divorce process.
Attorney
Profiles
Client
Reviews
I'm so thankful that I found Jennifer and her awesome team to help me with my divorce! It was incredibly stressful and scary to go through this process, especially with two little ones, but she has given me the support and confidence that I need. She is extremely intelligent, level-headed, supportive, and reasonable! I was anxious in the beginning thinking that I would have to go to court, but she gave me the peace of mind that I needed to get thru it and not be anxious. I would highly recommend her to anyone going through this difficult process. I…
She is a nice lawyer. She helped me to fix my passport issue among other things, including family problems.
Initially, I'd thought to navigate through troubled waters on my own in the divorce process due to the cost. I hadn't before needed representation in any court case, and, not being familiar with the costs involved in having a lawyer, I was worried about moving forward with one. My fear was the expense. I felt comfortable with Jennifer Ward from the moment I first spoke with her - contacting her to set up a consultation costs you nothing. In the end, the retainer and fees spent to end my case on a high note were worth every penny. They sent…
As with most family law issues emotions were running very high and I needed legal help with my divorce and to reach my goals for parenting time with my children. I found WARD FAMILY LAW after a lot of research and everyone there worked out great for me. They always took the time to listen to the situation and really assess what the best plan of action would be. They really helped with the situation and helped me get to a place of peace with my divorce and time with my children. I highly recommend them!
Jennifer Ward and the lawyers at WARD FAMILY LAW were the perfect attorneys for me in a very complex and challenging child custody case. This was an intensely painful, frustrating and contentious relationship with the father throughout the months it took to resolve parenting time. Jennifer was patient, affirming, honest, realistic, and available at every turn. She explained the various court actions and helped me balance the risks and benefits of each move. Her advice was right on. After countless court dates, I got more than I could have ever imagined or dreamed of. Words can't express the gratitude I…
Jennifer Ward of WARD FAMILY LAW made me feel safe and comfortable, but most importantly heard. Her whole legal team was professional and communicated well. Fast responding when I had questions... I feel like they really understood my concerns and backed me up and that felt good! I would recommend her to anyone looking for support through the divorce process.
I typically do not do reviews but after my experience interviewing lawyer after lawyer, I felt compelled to share my experience. So many offer a “free consultation” but don’t be fooled. Often this is just to get you in their office and start charging. I was referred to Jennifer by a friend and didn’t go right away. When I felt like I had exhausted all my options I called Jennifer for her free initial consultation - which was actually free - she took the time to listen to all the facts of my case, my concerns, what outcome I was…
Highly recommended. I know Jennifer Ward personally and professionally - she has an apt ability to provide meaningful insight and clarity into complex issues. I have and will continue to recommend her services to anyone seeking legal assistance.
Jennifer was very helpful, professional and gave me very sound advice. The process was quick because she filed everything in a timely manner. I'm very happy with how she represented me.
Working with Jennifer was a smooth and seamless process. I was most impressed with her negotiation skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of the law. I highly recommend WARD FAMILY LAW to anyone looking for a skilled attorney.
Our
Blogs
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The division of marital property upon divorce is one of the most complicated components of divorce, and it has the…
Judge Reverses Order, Restores Parental…
Earlier this month, Cook County Judge James Shapiro made headlines by issuing a ruling in which an Illinois mother was…
What Does it all Mean…
What does it all mean in Chicago Divorce: Allocation Judgment. Parental Responsibilities. Parenting Time. Decision-Making. Custody. An Allocation Judgment is…
Parenting Course Requirement in Chicago…
You already have children and now the County is telling you that you need to take a parenting course simply…
The 7 Most Frequently Asked…
Can we both have the same attorney? In Chicago divorce cases, both parties cannot be represented by the same legal…
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Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis.
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