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.
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 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.
Jennifer is a strategic thinker with a remarkable ability to anticipate and address potential challenges. Her attention to detail and thorough preparation were evident in every aspect of my paternity case. This meticulous approach translated into a successful resolution of establishing the father-child relationship and financial responsibility that comes with that. I felt well-represented both inside and outside the zoom courtroom.
I was referred to the firm for their expertise in handling complex business divisions during divorce proceedings. As someone entangled in a high-stakes divorce involving substantial business assets, I can attest to their unparalleled skill, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to securing the best possible outcome for their clients. From the business valuation to the creative distribution, thank you.
If you own a business or an interest in a business or stock options (or anything of real value related to a business) then you need to make sure that your divorce attorney knows what they’re doing. My first attorney had no idea and so I had to start over finding the right team that had extensive family law and divorce experience that I needed in Chicago. Their deep understanding of corporate structures, financial statements, and tax implications showcased a level of competence that instilled confidence throughout the entire process. They collaborated seamlessly with financial experts, forensic accountants, and other…
The firm’s negotiation skills were instrumental in reaching a favorable settlement that protected my financial interests while mitigating the emotional toll often associated with divorce proceedings. Enough said. Ward family law has the best team of experienced lawyers to get you what you want and deserve.
For anyone facing the challenging intersection of divorce and complex business matters, I wholeheartedly recommend Jennifer and Emily as legal eagles who goes above and beyond to safeguard their clients' interests.
Just as their law firm philosophy stated, Jennifer and Emily consistently maintained an open line of communication, promptly responding to my emails and keeping me informed at every step of the legal divorce process. This transparent approach not only fostered trust but also allowed me to actively participate in my case, making informed decisions with confidence.
What truly sets them apart from the other matrimonial lawyers is their keen attention to detail. They approached our unique situation with a meticulous eye, taking the time to understand our needs and concerns in getting married. The resulting prenuptial agreement felt tailor-made, a testament to that clear commitment to delivering personalized legal solutions.
My entire marriage was reactive. The proactive approach proposed by Jennifer alleviated any apprehensions I had, fostering trust in her team’s family law expertise and being able to understand her client’s needs. In the courtroom, the senior legal associate, Emily, demonstrated a command of legal strategy woven in with facts unique to my situation. The case was settled, but not without some court battles to get us there. Thank you for the fight when I needed it and the negotiation of settlement when it was time.
Zoom courtroom presence is odd, to say the least. Somehow, Emily was able to show herself as both assertive and composed in a zoom setting, instilling confidence that my interests were being fiercely defended. Divorce isn’t fun, but I can tell you it’s nice to have the right people on your side during the process. Ward family law did that for me.
I recently had the privilege of working with Jennifer - she has to be one of the most outstanding legal professionals in Chicago. I don’t write reviews often, but I am compelled to share my experience with others seeking top-notch representation during a divorce. I was referred to her - she is renowned for her expertise and dedication to families, which proved her to be an invaluable ally during a challenging period in my life that had me at risk of losing my kids. She demonstrated a profound understanding of the intricacies of divorce law. Her comprehensive knowledge of the…