Trusted family law attorneys serving clients across Chicago, IL for over 100 years of combined legal experience.
If you are facing a divorce, a custody dispute, or another family law matter in Chicago, you need an attorney who can protect your interests, assess your options clearly, and represent you effectively whether in negotiation or in court. Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC brings over 100 years of combined legal experience to domestic relations matters of every kind. Our Chicago family law attorney team handles everything from contested divorce and high-stakes custody disputes to prenuptial agreements and orders of protection. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Family Law Attorney Chicago
A family law attorney represents clients in legal matters that arise from personal and domestic relationships. These include divorce, child custody, spousal maintenance, property division, adoption, paternity, orders of protection, and more. In Illinois, these matters are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act along with statutes addressing parentage, adoption, and domestic violence.
Cases can be resolved through negotiated agreements, mediation, or contested litigation. The right path depends on the specific circumstances and the stakes involved. A Chicago, IL family law attorney helps clients understand their legal options and pursue outcomes that reflect their actual goals.
Types of Family Law Cases We Handle in Chicago
Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC handles a broad range of domestic relations matters for clients throughout Chicago and the surrounding communities.
- Divorce. Divorce involves the division of marital assets and debts, determination of spousal maintenance, and resolution of parenting arrangements if children are involved. We represent clients in both contested and uncontested matters, with the litigation experience to handle high-conflict cases when needed.
- Child custody. Illinois refers to this as the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. We represent parents in initial custody proceedings as well as post-decree modifications when circumstances change.
- Alimony. These cases require analysis of income, earning capacity, and the length of the marriage. We handle initial determinations and modifications to existing awards.
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. A well-drafted agreement protects both parties and can prevent costly disputes down the line. We draft documents designed to hold up if ever challenged.
- Legal separation. Some clients choose legal separation rather than divorce for financial, religious, or practical reasons. The process involves many of the same legal issues as divorce.
- Grandparent visitation rights. Illinois law allows grandparents to petition for visitation under certain circumstances. We have experience representing grandparents seeking access to their grandchildren through this process.
- Orders of protection. An order of protection can provide immediate legal relief in a dangerous domestic situation. We assist clients in petitioning for orders and advise those who have been served with one.
- High net worth divorce. When business interests, retirement accounts, and investment portfolios are at stake, the financial complexity of a divorce increases substantially. We work with financial professionals to address these issues.
- Mediation. Not every family law dispute needs to be resolved in a courtroom. Mediation gives both parties more control over the outcome and can reduce cost and time. We have a trained mediator on staff and represent clients through the full mediation process.
- International family law. When matters cross international borders, the legal issues multiply significantly. Our firm handles international cases involving parties or assets in multiple countries.
Why Choose Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC as my Family Law Attorney in Chicago, IL?
Experience, Recognition, and Appellate Strength
Olga Stambler has practiced family law for over 30 years. She is a Cook County Domestic Relations Division court-approved mediator, a fellow of Collaborative Divorce Illinois, a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and an adjunct professor at DePaul University College of Law. Before entering family law, she handled complex commercial transactions at prominent firms in New York and Chicago, background that translates directly to high-stakes financial disputes in divorce. She graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University and earned her law degree from Fordham University School of Law.
John A. Kay has focused exclusively on family law since 1992. A graduate of The John Marshall Law School, he has spent more than 30 years representing clients across Chicagoland in divorce and custody matters.
Olga A. Allen has practiced exclusively in family law since 2007 and has prevailed before both the Illinois Appellate Courts and the Illinois Supreme Court. In 2024 and 2025, she was named a Super Lawyer, a distinction awarded to no more than 5% of attorneys in Illinois, and was recognized as a Rising Star each year from 2016 through 2022. She earned her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. The firm previously prevailed in In re Marriage of Brubaker, a notable Illinois appellate decision. Ms. Allen is fluent in Polish and serves the Polish-speaking community.
Understanding Family Law Cases
Grounds for Divorce and Property Division in Illinois
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. Either spouse may seek a divorce by establishing that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. If the parties have lived separately for at least six months, that separation creates a legal presumption that the marriage is irreconcilably broken. Key concepts governing the financial and parenting aspects of dissolution include:
- Marital property. Assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally subject to division, while property owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance may be classified as non-marital.
- Equitable distribution. Courts divide marital property equitably, meaning fairly but not necessarily equally. Relevant factors include the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial situation, contributions to the marital estate, and each party’s non-marital holdings.
- Spousal maintenance. Awards are based on income, earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, and the duration of the marriage. Maintenance can be temporary or ongoing and may be modified under appropriate circumstances.
- Parenting time and parental responsibilities. Courts allocate decision-making authority over matters like education, healthcare, and religion. The governing standard in all parenting determinations is the best interests of the child.
What Are Important Aspects of a Family Law Case?
Family law matters rarely involve just one issue. A parenting time arrangement affects child support calculations. The classification of a business interest can shift the entire financial outcome of a divorce. The following tend to carry significant weight:
- Full financial disclosure. Both parties are legally required to disclose income, assets, and debts completely. Incomplete disclosure can result in adverse orders and legal consequences.
- Documentation. Positions in litigation are only as strong as the evidence supporting them. Pay stubs, tax returns, account statements, and property records all matter.
- Parenting history. In custody cases, courts examine how each parent has actually participated in the children’s lives, not just what each parent says they intend to do.
- Timing of actions. Certain decisions made during a case, such as transferring assets, vacating the marital home, or making statements online, can have lasting consequences. Getting legal guidance early matters.
Knowing when to seek legal counsel is not always obvious, and understanding when to hire a family law lawyer can make a significant difference in how well-prepared you are when it matters most.
What Is The Family Law Case Timeline?
The timeline for a family law matter depends on whether it is contested, how complex the financial issues are, and how willing both parties are to reach agreements. Most cases follow a general progression:
- Initial consultation and case evaluation. The process begins with reviewing the facts, identifying legal issues, and assessing likely outcomes given the specific circumstances.
- Filing and service. A petition is filed with the court, and the other party is formally served. Temporary orders addressing interim support or parenting arrangements may be sought at this stage.
- Discovery. Both parties exchange financial records and relevant documents. In contested matters, this phase can be extensive and may involve depositions or financial professionals.
- Negotiation and mediation. Many cases settle before trial. Mediation is frequently used as a structured forum for reaching agreement. Cases can resolve at any point in the process.
- Trial or final judgment. If the parties cannot agree, the court makes final determinations after a hearing or trial. Post-judgment modifications and appeals remain available under appropriate circumstances.
What Should You Bring to Your Family Law Consultation?
Being prepared for your first meeting allows us to give you more focused and useful information from the outset. Depending on the nature of your matter, consider bringing the following:
- Recent tax returns and pay stubs for both spouses
- A general accounting of significant assets, including real estate, retirement accounts, and business interests
- Any existing court orders relevant to your situation, particularly in post-decree matters
- Relevant parenting records, such as school or medical documentation, if custody is at issue
- Any prior written agreements between the parties, including prenuptial agreements or financial arrangements
You do not need everything organized before you call. But having a rough picture of finances and family dynamics allows us to use the consultation time well.
What Are Important Illinois Legal Resources for Family Law Cases?
Illinois provides several official resources for individuals seeking information on family law statutes, court procedures, and Cook County court operations:
- Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act via ILGA.gov, the primary statutory framework governing divorce in Illinois
- Illinois Courts for information on court procedures, judicial resources, and the domestic relations division
- Cook County Circuit Court for local court rules, case lookup, and the Cook County Domestic Relations Division
- Illinois Attorney General for information on child support enforcement programs and related family law resources
- Administrative Office of Illinois Courts for court statistics and statewide judicial resources
Reach Out to Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC to Schedule a Consultation
Whether you are at the beginning of a divorce, addressing a custody dispute, or dealing with a post-decree issue, Hurst, Kay, Allen & Stambler, LLC is prepared to help you understand your options and move forward with a clear legal strategy. Our Chicago family law attorney represents clients throughout Chicago, IL across a full range of domestic relations matters. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
