Our firm focuses on family law, providing divorce, child custody, visitation, and adoption legal services to clients in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.
Testimonials From Our Clients
Illinois Family Law Firm
Over 100 Years of Combined Experience
Unlike other firms that handle a range of practice areas, we work exclusively in family law. Our team of eight attorneys has over a century of combined experience. We take a personalized approach to every case we take on, so that our clients’ rights are protected, and their goals are met.
As skilled negotiators, our lawyers offer collaborative resolution options that save you time, money, and stress. When litigation is necessary, our attorneys do not hesitate to fight fiercely and skillfully in court. We understand how challenging family legal matters can be and take our role as your attorneys seriously. We will treat you with the compassion and respect you deserve while advocating for what you are entitled to.
Request Case EvaluationSpecializing in Family Law
Our Illinois family law attorneys handle cases pertaining to divorce, child custody, maintenance, visitation, adoption, pre and postnuptial agreements, and more.
Family Law
Family law covers domestic legal matters, including divorce, child custody, adoption, and more.
Divorce
Our attorney can represent you in your divorce to make sure that property, assets, and wealth are divided fairly. We can also negotiate for spousal or child support and child custody.
Adoption
From filing the paperwork to representing you in court during the final adoption process, our attorney can support you through every step of growing your family.
Maintenance
Also known as spousal support, maintenance is a form of financial relief that can be requested as part of a divorce agreement.
Appeals
If you are unhappy with a judgment regarding a family law matter, our legal team can guide you through the process of filing an appeal and building an argument to get the court’s decision overturned.
Child Custody
An effective parenting plan includes a child custody arrangement that prioritizes the best interests of the child. Our lawyer can help negotiate a fair agreement, visitation schedule, or modification.
Collaborative Law
Collaborative law is an alternative dispute resolution method. Instead of litigation, divorce agreements are finalized through a more cooperative approach involving attorneys, financial experts, and mediators.
Domestic Violence Orders of Protection
If you have been harmed or threatened by a spouse, partner, significant other, or family member, our attorney can help you petition the courts for a domestic violence order of protection.
Family Dispute Mediation
Mediation allows for dispute resolution without court proceedings. This method is more private and can be effective if parties are amicable and cooperative.
Grandparent Visitation Rights
If a judge determines that it is in the child’s best interest to spend time with their grandparents, a court-mandated visitation order can be put into place.
High Net Worth Divorce
High net worth divorce cases describe situations where a couple has a net worth of $1 million or more. This designation usually involves couples who own businesses, multiple properties, or complex assets.
International Family Law
When family law disputes involve family members who live in different countries, international family law applies.
Legal Separation
A legal separation provides a binding agreement related to property division, child custody, and financial support without divorcing or legally ending the marriage.
Marriage & Civil Unions
Marriage is a legal union recognized by the state and federal governments. Civil unions provide couples with a joint legal status that is solely recognized by the state. This difference impacts qualifications for certain benefits, including tax reductions.
Mediation
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution method where the involved parties and their attorneys collaborate to reach an agreement that is then finalized by a judge.
Paternity
Paternity is an essential component of family law as it legally establishes a man as the father of a child. Our lawyer can assist with formally requesting paternity testing as part of fair child support and child custody arrangements.
Pet Custody
If couples own pets, a custody agreement can be established during divorce proceedings. This plan can include physical custody schedules and financial obligations, like splitting the costs of veterinary care.
Pre & Postnuptial Agreements
Pre and postnuptial agreements provide financial clarity for couples when one or both spouses own businesses, have significant family assets, or bring substantial wealth into the relationship.
Visitation Rights
When a parent does not have custody of their child, they can petition for court-ordered visitation time as a way to foster a safe and structured relationship.
Chicago, IL Divorce Lawyer
At Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC, we understand that family law matters are deeply personal and often overwhelming. Even when you are confident that divorce is the right step, uncertainty about what comes next is completely normal. When you work with our Chicago divorce attorneys, you gain a trusted partner who will guide you through every stage of the process. Your goals are our priority, and we are committed to helping you reach a resolution with clarity, compassion, and respect.
We Focus Exclusively on Family Law
Many law firms handle a wide range of practice areas. At Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC, we focus exclusively on family law. Our Chicago family law attorneys represent clients in divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, maintenance, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and post-decree matters. This exclusive focus gives us the in-depth legal knowledge, courtroom experience, and strategic insight needed to resolve even the most complex family law cases. We also maintain a strong network of financial experts, mental health professionals, and other trusted resources to support and strengthen your case.
Our attorneys are skilled negotiators.
Many of our divorce cases are resolved through mediation. This collaborative approach is cost-effective and offers couples more privacy while deciding how to end their marriage. Throughout negotiations, we keep your goals and wishes top of mind and build strong arguments to get the resolution you want. If we are not able to reach a fair agreement during mediation, our divorce attorneys are not afraid to take the fight to court. We will protect your rights and make sure that you get everything you are entitled to.
We Listen to You
During your initial consultation with our Illinois divorce lawyer, we will listen to you and take the time to fully understand your situation. Our attorney will begin strategizing potential paths forward, informing you of your rights, your options, and what outcomes you can expect. Unlike other law firms that focus on billing as many hours as possible, our family law team is committed to putting the interests of our clients first. We provide legal services in English, Polish, and Russian.
Decades of Experience in Family Law
Our team of family law attorneys brings more than 100 years of combined experience to every case. Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC is comprised of eight attorneys, each of whom has dedicated their practice exclusively to family law and domestic relations matters. This depth of experience allows us to draw from a wide range of perspectives while providing every client with individualized attention and strategic guidance. Whether you are pursuing a divorce, seeking a child custody or parenting time modification, or addressing another family law issue, we have the right attorney to meet your needs.
Professionally Recognized Chicago Family Law Attorneys
Our attorneys are widely recognized for excellence in family law advocacy. In 2024, 2025 and 2026, Brian Hurst and Olga Allen were named to Super Lawyers, an honor awarded to a select group of top attorneys in Illinois. Brian Hurst was also recognized by Law Bulletin Publishing in 2009 as one of 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Neil Robin was named a Top Lawyers in Illinois honoree in the Family Law category, a distinction reserved for approximately the top five percent of practicing attorneys statewide. These professional recognitions reflect our firm’s longstanding commitment to high-quality legal representation and dedicated client advocacy.
At Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC, our Illinois divorce lawyers have the ability and determination to follow through on issues that matter to you. We are proud to assist residents of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs with their family law matters. If you need legal representation for your divorce, reach out to our office today to schedule a confidential consultation.
Serving Chicago Since 2012
Our lawyers have diverse backgrounds and experience. We have the right attorney to meet your family law needs.
About Us
Olga Stambler
Partner
Attorney Olga Stambler has over 25 years of experience handling family law matters.
Olga A. Allen
Partner
Attorney Olga Allen has dedicated her legal career to helping families resolve complex family law matters.
John A. Kay
Partner
Attorney John Kay is a dedicated family law attorney who is committed to helping his clients resolve disputes and build a strong foundation for the future.
Brian J. Hurst
Partner
Attorney Brian Hurst is a top-rated litigator, specializing in family law, disputes, and other matrimonial matters.
Colten Fisher
Associate
Colten is committed to providing exceptional representation and workable solutions for individuals and families in Chicago.
Carly Minsky
Associate
Carly takes a personalized approach to every family law case, balancing an analytical lens and a creative perspective to deliver effective solutions that meet her clients’ goals.
Priyal Thakkar
Associate
Attorney Priyal Thakkar specializes in family law matters. Her attention to detail and personalized approach gives clients peace of mind and the best chance of achieving a positive outcome in their cases.
Neil A. Robin
Of Counsel
Attorney Neil Robin has over three decades of experience handling matrimonial and family legal matters.
Matthew Hurst
Of Counsel
For over 25 years, Matthew has dedicated his practice to high-stakes family law litigation and appeals.
Matthew Hefner
Of Counsel
Matthew brings over 25 years of federal appellate litigation and complex financial analysis experience to family law matters involving business valuations and appellate practice.
“I highly recommend Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC for anyone navigating a difficult custody situation. They have been incredibly supportive, professional, and knowledgeable throughout my case. I truly appreciate how responsive and compassionate the whole team has been — they treated me like a priority, not just another case. Thanks to their dedication, I feel more confident and prepared as a father.”
Matthew B.
Illinois Divorce Attorneys
Our offices are located in Chicago, IL and Lake Forest, IL. We proudly help residents throughout the Chicago area resolve family law legal matters. Our attorneys are fluent in English, Polish, Russian, Hindi, Guharati, and Urdu.
Schedule ConsultationComprehensive Legal Support For Family Law Matters
Our firm has the ability and determination to resolve your legal issue. To learn how we can help, schedule a confidential case review. Our attorneys will listen to your story and your goals to strategize the best path forward.
Reach Out TodayAnswers to Your
Family law covers legal matters concerning domestic relationships. Examples of situations when you may need a family law attorney include divorce, child custody and support, maintenance, visitation, paternity, and adoption. Agreements can be reached through mediation, where all parties and their lawyers work together collaboratively. Matters can also be litigated in the family courts, where a judge provides a legally-binding decision. Most family law disputes are highly emotional, so it is vital to work with a legal team that is supportive, communicative, and respectful. Each relationship dynamic is unique, and personalized legal strategies are essential to reaching resolutions that are fair and represent the best interests of all parties.
Generally, a divorce is considered a high-net-worth divorce if the couple has over $1 million in wealth or assets. These divorces are often complicated because of diverse financial portfolios. In addition to standard property, high-net-worth couples may also own a business, large amounts of real estate, trusts, luxury or antique collectibles, stocks, and other investments. The challenges divorce attorneys face in these cases include finding and valuing all of the assets. Third-party experts, like forensic accountants, can provide important information and transparency. Additionally, high-net-worth divorce agreements usually involve petitions for maintenance or other financial support, leading to contentious negotiations and court proceedings.
Child custody, parenting plans, and visitation are all determined by what a judge determines to be in the best interests of the child. The goal is to provide the child with stability and an environment that meets their physical, emotional, and mental health needs. The judge will consider the relationship each parent has with the child and if they can provide essential basic needs like food, education, housing, healthcare, and clothing. The judge will also review each parent’s history, looking for red flags like substance abuse or physical abuse. The court may look at character statements, interview other close family members, and the child to reach a resolution. If the child is older, their wishes may be factored into the custody agreement.
When calculating maintenance (also known as spousal support and alimony), the judge may consider several factors. The length of the marriage is influential, as is the difference in spouses’ earning potential. The goal of maintenance is to help the lower-income party maintain the same quality of life they were accustomed to during the marriage. The judge will consider the hirability and vocational skills of both spouses to ensure spousal support bridges gaps. For example, let’s say one spouse left their job to raise children and give their partner the opportunity to grow their career. It is reasonable to assume that the spouse would not be able to reenter their previous field at the same level, limiting their income potential.
Other factors that are taken into account are the existence of a pre or postnuptial agreement or whether one spouse’s egregious behavior led to the divorce, like adultery. Maintenance can be awarded on a temporary or permanent basis, depending on the couple’s financial situation.
There is no set timeframe for divorce mediation. Some cases are resolved in a matter of months. Others take six months or longer. Factors that can influence how long divorce mediation takes include how complicated the couple’s finances are, how cooperative the parties are, and the emotional state of both spouses. Usually, each mediation session lasts a few hours. They are scheduled several weeks apart to give both sides ample time to prepare and revise documents, gather evidence, and build arguments.
Establishing goals early can help streamline the process. Willingness to compromise is also a factor. Couples who are communicative or united on key issues like child custody and property or asset division may reach resolutions faster.
Following mediation, the divorce agreement must be finalized by a judge. There may be delays with scheduling or other obstacles with court proceedings that hold up the divorce.
Dedicated to Client Advocacy
Family Law Updates & Insights
Few subjects generate more bad advice than child custody. It comes from coworkers, relatives, message boards, and the friend of a friend who went through something similar a decade ago. By the time parents sit down with an attorney, they often carry a set of assumptions that have nothing to do with how these cases […]
Does My Whole Business Count as Marital Property? Not necessarily. Illinois divorce law divides business value into what is called enterprise goodwill, which counts as marital property subject to division, and personal goodwill, which generally does not count. Understanding this distinction matters enormously for any Evanston business owner going through a divorce. What Is the […]
A Different Kind of Room Than a Courtroom Divorce mediation works because people are willing to speak candidly about what actually matters to them, something that rarely happens in an adversarial courtroom setting. Illinois law protects that candor with a specific confidentiality rule, and understanding how it works helps Chicago couples get more out of […]
The Center for Family Resolution recently announced a new tool called the What’s True for You Decision Filter, a framework designed to help parents stop second-guessing themselves during divorce and custody disputes. As family law attorneys, we found the announcement worth discussing, because the problem it addresses is one we see in our office every […]
Divorcing spouses often assume spousal support gets decided case by case with no real formula behind it. Illinois actually uses a specific calculation for most cases, and understanding it can set realistic expectations early. What Is Maintenance Under Illinois Law? Maintenance is Illinois’s current term for what many people still refer to as spousal support, […]
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We have Polish, Russian, Hindi, Gujarati, and Urdu-speaking attorneys available.
