The 14 Best Family and Divorce Lawyers in Chicago

Taradash Given suits couples who would rather settle than go to trial, without giving up trial readiness. The firm puts negotiated settlements first, and principal Morgan Given is a certified mediator. Its work covers divorce, parenting plans, child support, maintenance, property division and orders of protection. It also practices in Lake and Porter counties in Indiana, useful for families split across the state line. Consultations on new or unfiled cases are complimentary.

Hurst, Kay, Allen and Stambler suits families who need a lawyer in a language other than English. Its attorneys consult in Polish, Russian, Hindi, Gujarati and Urdu, and the firm works exclusively in family law from LaSalle Street in the Loop. Many divorces are resolved through mediation or collaborative law, with litigation kept for cases that need it. It also takes on appeals and international family law, which matters when a spouse, child or asset is abroad.

The Law Office of Russell D. Knight suits clients who like to research their case before they call. Knight has practiced family law in Chicago since 2006 and has written more than 750 articles on Illinois divorce, custody and support for the firm's site. Each client gets a dedicated attorney and paralegal, and co-counsel Rahul Iyer concentrates on the business and financial side of divorce. The first consultation is free and goes straight to an attorney.

The Law Office of Shawn McKenna suits people who prefer a solo attorney and a calmer path through divorce. McKenna holds an LL.M. in family law from Chicago-Kent and has practiced family law since 2009. Alongside divorce and post-decree work, the office offers collaborative law and mediation as alternatives to litigation, and it handles parentage cases and prenuptial agreements. A free 30-minute consultation gives time to discuss which route fits.

Family Law Solutions suits clients who want to choose how their case is run. The firm offers mediation, arbitration, collaborative divorce, negotiation and court, organized into a traditional tier and a collaborative tier of service. It has pages on divorce for executives, business owners and medical professionals, and an LGBTQ+ practice that covers transgender and non-binary issues. Offices on LaSalle Street, in Arlington Heights and in Highland Park cover the city and the northern suburbs.

Anderson Boback & Marshall is a good match for cases that fall outside the standard template. The firm has focused on divorce and family law since 2004 and lists military divorce, same-sex divorce and Jewish divorce, including the get process, among its services. It brings in financial experts for business valuations and hidden income. Meetings take place downtown on North Clark Street, in Northbrook or by video.

Davis & Associates fits clients who want predictable legal bills. Instead of hourly billing, the firm charges a custom monthly subscription set for each case, so costs can be planned ahead. Its Chicago office is part of a family law firm with offices in eight states and handles divorce, custody, child support, maintenance, property division and small business divorce. Mediation and collaborative divorce are available for high-asset cases.

The Mehta Law Group suits families who want an office close to home, with four locations across the city and suburbs. Besides the principal office on Wacker Drive, it sees clients on South Western Avenue, in Oak Brook and in Skokie. Its practice centers on divorce, custody, maintenance, mediation and domestic violence, plus the QDRO and QILDRO orders that divide retirement plans. A Spanish-language version of the site and a free consultation make the first contact easier.

Merel Family Law suits people who want a large team and some guidance beyond the legal work. Founded in 2009 by Jonathan Merel, the firm has 21 attorneys handling divorce, high net worth cases, maintenance, custody and prenuptial agreements. It runs an in-house divorce coaching service and a dedicated LGBTQ family law practice that includes second-parent adoption. Besides the West Loop office on Randolph Street, it sees clients in Highland Park and Hinsdale, which helps families split between the city and the suburbs.

Arami Law fits people who want the founding attorney on their case rather than a rotating team. Kourosh Arami has practiced Illinois family law for 22 years, and the firm states that senior counsel handles every matter and that it takes a limited number of cases each year. Its work leans toward high-asset divorce, business valuation, custody, maintenance and fathers' rights. The first case review is free and confidential, so fees can be discussed before any commitment.

January Family Law works well for parents whose case centers on the children. The firm organizes its practice around allocation of parental responsibilities, child representation, child support, maintenance and property division, with mediation as an option. It also drafts marital settlement and prenuptial agreements, handles name changes and goes back to court for post-decree enforcement and contempt. Consultations are free, and meetings can take place in the Loop or at a second office in Northbrook.

Pinay Law suits Filipino families in Chicago, whose divorces raise questions that a general practice may not know well. The women-owned firm has served the Filipino community since 2013 and treats Filipino divorce as its own practice area. Its family law work covers divorce, child custody, child support and maintenance, including cases where the wife is the main earner. It also handles estate planning, probate, real estate and special powers of attorney. First contact is a discovery call booked online.

Corri Fetman & Associates suits business owners whose divorce touches company interests, since the firm runs a business law practice alongside its family law work. On the family side it handles contested and uncontested divorce, silver divorce, custody, relocation, child support, college expenses and property division. Its business practice drafts contracts and corporate agreements and advises on compliance. The firm states that its attorneys bring more than 30 years of experience, and it meets clients downtown and in the suburbs.

Women's Divorce & Family Law Group is built around women and mothers, its stated focus across divorce and custody work. Cases are partner-led, and the firm publishes a ten-step road map that walks clients through the process from the first consultation to post-decree matters. Its practice includes high net worth divorce, business owners, retirement accounts, relocation, parental alienation and orders of protection. Besides downtown Chicago, it has offices in Lake Forest and Lisle.