Franklin County Family Lawyers

Natalie Bower is a Partner with Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP and has devoted her practice for the past 7 years exclusively to the area of family law. Natalie Bower’s experience includes advocating for clients in contested and non-contested divorces, establishing parentage (paternity), litigating initial determinations and modifications of child custody, child support and spousal support (maintenance/alimony) matters, as well as handling Orders of Protection, military divorces, jurisdictional disputes, and asset/property and retirement divisions. Natalie Bower has represented families in St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Clinton and Macoupin Counties as well as other surrounding counties. Natalie...

Sarah E. Ward is a Partner with Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP. Sarah Ward has practiced over 6 years in Belleville, Illinois, primarily in the area of family law and has represented families in St. Clair County, Madison County, Monroe County, Clinton County and counties throughout Central and Southern Illinois. Sarah Ward has extensive family law advocacy experience, including representation on behalf of clients in contested custody and removal matters, as well as those who are current or retired military personnel. Sarah Ward has presented at legal education seminars in St. Louis on family...

MEGAN M. GILBRETH, born in Belleville, Illinois.

License: Illinois 2012
Education: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (B.S. in Social Work, Summa Cum Laude, 2007); St. Louis University School of Law (J.D., 2010)

Areas of Practice: Ms. Gilbreth practices in the following areas of law: Family Law, Divorce, Guardianships, Estates and Trusts, Litigation, as well as General Practice.

Illinois State Bar Association Section Member: Family Law

P.K. Johnson V, born in 1970, gained admission to the Illinois Bar in 1995 and the Missouri Bar in 1996. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with honors from the University of Illinois in 1992 and attained his Juris Doctor degree with honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1995. During his leisure hours, P.K. finds joy in quality time with his wife and two sons, indulging in golf, and exploring new destinations. Beyond his personal pursuits, P.K. contributes actively as a member of the Swansea, Illinois Board of Police Commissioners and holds a position on the Wolf Branch School District...

I am an attorney who is passionate about my profession and clients. I believe in providing top-notch, innovative, cutting-edge strategies and advice. My clients feel as if they are my only client. I will treat your case as if I was in your shoes. I understand your situations, problems, and dilemmas and formulate a plan of action to resolve the issues at hand. Washington Law Offices P.C. is located in Chicago and Elgin, Illinois. We provide a variety of legal services including Real Estate Law, Business Law, Contract Law, Employment Law, Foreclosure Defense, Bankruptcy and Landlord Tenant...

Robert "Bobby" Buchanan is a seasoned practitioner that focuses his practice exclusively on helping parents through divorce and custody matters. He is a 2019 recipient of the "10 Best" award for client satisfaction and a 2023 Illinois SuperLawyer. His team at The Law Offices of Robert B. Buchanan has consistently achieved results for his clients, including: - Secured regular parenting time for father who had not seen his two-year old son in over one year. - Obtained 50-50 parenting time for father who had been marginalized to every other weekend before hiring lawyer and starting court process. - Successfully re-gained custody for a...

You are getting divorced, and you want to save your kids, your money, and your sanity. We understand your needs. We help smart, successful people get divorced efficiently while helping stay sane during tough times. Satisfied clients have referred us to friends and family since 1994. I'm a divorce lawyer with over 20 years of experience. My bestselling divorce guide, I Just Want This Done, has received rave reviews on Amazon.com and in the media. My law firm, STG Divorce Law, has been in business over 25 years. Our firm has a large team of skilled and empathetic divorce lawyers....

Tricia knew she wanted to be an attorney when she was 10 years old - being an attorney seemed glamorous and exciting. It was not until college, when Tricia was selected for Eastern Illinois University's mock trial time, that she realized how much she would enjoy litigation and courtroom work. After being accepted to the John Marshall Law School with a Dean's Scholarship, she added excellent writing skills to her love of working in the courtroom, winning the Dean Fred F. Herzog Moot Court Competition. Tricia was awarded a Moot Court Executive Board scholarship and went on to...

Lisa A. Copland has significant experience in several areas of the law including domestic relations, civil litigation, probate, breach of contract and real estate law. She represents men and women in divorce cases, which includes division of property, allocation of parental responsibilities, child support and parenting time. Lisa routinely represents buyers and sellers in residential and commercial real estate transactions. Through the firm's full service approach, attorneys also assist clients in estate planning and civil litigation.

Timothy P. Martin Wheaton, Illinois Managing Partner and Chief Litigator 630-474 -8000 Office 630-480-0692 Fax Email Tim@Timmartinlaw.com Timothy P. Martin, a resident of DuPage County, is a Partner with the LAW OFFICES OF MARTIN & KENT, LLC. Mr. Martin received his Juris Doctorate from the John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois. While in law school, Mr. Martin served as an associate editor of the John Marshall Law Review. His work on the law review lead to a nationally published article in the area of criminal law. In 2009, Tim Martin was elected President of the...

I am passionate about helping people in Central Illinois with their legal needs for many reasons. I grew up in Bloomington-Normal and care deeply about the people in my hometown. I also feel called to fight for justice. The lawyers and paralegals in my office are great to work with and share my vision for helping people. We have a very experienced team at Koth Gregory & Nieminski (KGN) and pride ourselves on being able to help the people in Central Illinois with nearly any legal issue they may face. Our hope is that people come see us first for...

I have sat on the other client side of the lawyer-client table, which gives me a unique insight to the emotions that my clients experience. Divorce and child custody matters are never easy on the people involved. It is important to have a lawyer that you can trust during the most difficult time in your life. At Reidy Law Office, we believe in teaching our clients the relevant law and how it relates to the client’s specific situation. Then, we create the specific strategy for the individual client’s case. Our mission is to help people through the difficult times in...

If you are going through a divorce or family law matter, it can feel like your whole life is hanging in the balance. Not knowing what will happen to you or your family can can be overwhelming. To help clients with divorce and family law matters in their time of need, Stange Law Firm, PC has limited their practice to divorce and family law matters. For your convenience, we have offices in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma in places such as St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield, Wichita, Tulsa and beyond. We also respond to all phone...

The most gratifying part of practicing matrimonial law is to be able to give guidance and help people through one of, if not the most, difficult times of their lives. My goal in most cases is to help clients resolve their issues in an amicable manner to a positive resolution, as the majority of cases do not proceed to trial. However, there are certain cases that cannot be settled for a multitude of reasons. As such, I am always prepared to litigate the issues. I maintain the mindset of a litigator while always being open to...

Ms. Sarantakis is the Founding Attorney of Sarantakis Law Group, Ltd. in Oak Brook, IL. She concentrates her legal practice in domestic relations. In addition to her work in the courtroom, she is versed in alternative methods of dispute resolution as a mediator, Guardian ad Litem, and Fellow of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois. She was recently recognized by the Illinois State Bar Association as 2023 Young Lawter of the Year, the American Bar Association as one of the 2023 Top 40 Lawyers in the United States with an On the Rise Award, Super Lawyers as a Rising Star,...

James T. Reilly has been practicing since 1979. He is an experienced trial lawyer with over fifty jury cases tried to verdict. He concentrates his practice in both civil and criminal litigation. Jury awards include medical malpractice, wrongful death, fraud prosecution and various types of personal injuries. He has defended cases in criminal courts ranging from fitness trials in murder cases to DUI’s. In addition to these, he has successfully defended persons charged with arson, aggravated battery, drug offenses and other felonies and misdemeanors.

Reilly has served as a LaSalle County Assistant Public Defender since 2000. He represents clients before the...

As a family law attorney, my primary responsibility is to ensure that at the conclusion of the case, you receive results that are beneficial to you, and all parties involved in the process. With 17 years of experience in the matrimonial and family law field, I know that Collaborative Law and Mediation are the most effective methods to ensure that the most favorable outcome is achieved.

I have seen too many instances of family law issues that have gone to court and on the whim of a judge, the law is ignored and all parties walk away angry and with...

Attorney Ronald L. Bell has extensive litigation and negotation experience and has held former positions such as the Assistant Illinois Attorney General and Chief Corporate Counsel to a $250 million dollar company. Ronald Bell has argued and/or presented cases before the United States Supreme Court, Illinois Supreme Court, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and every Illinois appellate court. Attorney Bell has top academic credentials and he was the top student in his law school class at the age of 23, a former editor of the law review and graduated college at the age of 20.

Mr. Shaw attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and graduated from Illinois College, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1983. He continued his education at the Northern Illinois University College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1986, and became a Licensed Attorney in Illinois on November 6, 1986. Having previously practiced in general and family law practices, and having served as the Child Support Attorney for Kane County Circuit Court Clerk from 1987-1995, Mr. Shaw opened his own law practice concentrating in family law in 1991. In 2000 he co-founded the law firm...

Wakenight Divorce Lawyers serve clients in these counties, in no particular order: Will, Cook, Grundy, Kendall, Kane, DuPage, DeKalb, Winnebago, Boone and McHenry. Covid has forced the courts to use Zoom and there is no going back. Whichever county you live in . . . we can help you! Free Telephone or Zoom Consultation Available. Mark T. Wakenight, J.D.

Rob became licensed to practice law in Illinois in 2009. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, one of only approximately 340 attorneys in the U.S. and Canada. According to their website, members are experts in the complexities of adoption law and the variety of interstate and international regulations surrounding adoption*, and must maintain their practice according to the highest standards of ethics, competence and professionalism. Rob is also a member of the Peoria County Bar Association, chairing and assisting in a number of committees; the American Bar Association; and a Barrister in the...

The first divorce I handled was my own. I personally understand the emotional turmoil my clients experience and strive to reduce the stress caused by a family law case. I opened my own law firm to focus on the needs of clients. Because a family law case strains an individual both mentally and monetarily, every clients needs to have effect representation at a reasonable rate. GOAL: Resolve every case as cost-effective and quickly as possible while pursuing the client's objectives UNDERSTANDING THE CASE. Explaining each stage, each document, and each court...

Janice, lovingly known by the nickname “Apple” in her family, is a passionate attorney specializing in family law. She was born in Angeles City, Philippines at the location previously known as Clark Air Force Base and relocated to Chicago, Illinois with her family when she was just three years old. Fluent in Tagalog, Janice is particularly interested in serving the legal needs of the Filipino community in Chicago. Janice graduated in 2005 with honors from the University of Chicago and earned her Juris Doctorate from DePaul University in 2012. She has been a practicing attorney in Illinois since...

Masah S. SamForay, has earned national recognition as a force for her clients. Beyond being recognized as a Top 100 Lawyer, Masah SamForay knows the concerns of clients, intimately. She is a divorcee and working mother who understands what it means to fight for her family during a difficult divorce.

Atty. SamForay is a Co-Founder and Past-President of the Black Bar Association of Will County. She is a member of the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. and served on the 2017-2018 Board and as the Co-Chair of the Small and Solo Firm Committee from 2013-2016. She is a...

Dominick Dolci is a family law and criminal defense attorney in DuPage County, IL. Dominick acts as the Managing Partner at the Law Offices of Dolci & Weiland, with offices in Oakbrook Terrace, IL and Chicago, IL.

Michael Roe has over 25 years of experience practicing exclusively in the area of complex divorce and child custody litigation. He has successfully managed important cases in Kane County, DuPage County, and in all of the counties of northern Illinois, and his family law expertise was sought out by clients for cases in downstate Illinois and a few complex child custody cases out-of-state. With a strong legal education in both law and graduate-level business school, he is skilled in both the child custody/parenting side as well as the business and financial side of divorce litigation. Michael is one of the...

Henry D. Kass is a partner at MKFM Law, LLC, who focuses primarily in the areas of domestic relations, guardianship, and criminal law. He obtained his bachelor of arts from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa and also studied abroad at the University of the Basque Country in San Sebastian, Spain. Following his studies overseas, Henry attended the University of Iowa College of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctorate. Thereafter, he became an Assistant State’s Attorney with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office under now Appellate Court Justice, Joseph E. Birkett. There, he prosecuted domestic violence and...

Christine’s focus as an attorney is on helping her clients through the most difficult situations life offers. Whether her clients are facing criminal charges, the end of a marriage, issues related to children, or end of life concerns, Christine’s passion for helping them through these issues is evident through her honesty, patience, and ability to make even the most complex legal issues make sense to her clients. Christine attended the Northern Illinois University College of Law, where she graduated cum laude with Juris Doctorate degree. During her tenure at NIU College of Law, she earned a Certificate in Criminal Practice. She...

Jessica Marshall is a real go-getter who stands up for what she believes in, which is fighting for your rights, and the rights of children. She’s a tough lawyer with impressive credentials and substantial achievements in the legal community. Jessica has a strong desire to help people and makes a difference with her clients and their families by taking action to help solve their problems. Jessica Marshall is tough and not afraid to fight for your rights, she is comfortable in the courtroom and respected by colleagues, judges and clients. Her achievements include participating in a successful win with an Appeal...

Todd. D. Scalzo has been practicing law since 2004, handling all matters of family law, such as divorce, paternity, child support, maintenance, relocation, allocation of parental responsibilities, and parenting plans. He has argued before the Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois Appellate Court. Mr. Scalzo is a court-approved guardian ad litem (GAL) and mediator.

Mr. Scalzo is an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association, the DuPage Justinian Society of (Italian-American) Lawyers, and his hometown of Wheaton.

Melissa Fernandez (Marin) graduated from DePaul University in 2015 where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Political Science. Melissa went on to receive her law degree from DePaul University College of Law in 2019 with a certificate in Family Law where she graduated Cum Laude and maintained herself on the Dean's list for all three years. From a very young age, Melissa knew that she was passionate about family law. As a child of divorced parents, Melissa brings a unique perspective to the firm having experienced the breakdown of her family at a young age....

Experience, integrity and flexibility form the backbone of my client oriented practice in Cook and DuPage Counties. My twelve years of negotiating, mediating, trials and appeals, inform my opinion of your case, and from our initial consultation onward, you always receive an honest assessment of the likely outcome. I strive for innovative solutions to your issues, minimizing expense and grief, strategizing to let you retain control over the results, while always being ready to "go all the way". Throughout, I will always be accessible to you and bill you fairly, tailoring payment options to your circumstances. About Me: ...

Lynn M. Mirabella is a partner at MKFM Law, where her practice is concentrated almost exclusively in the area of family law, including high-profile cases and complex litigation files. Prior to joining MKFM Law, she worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. She is certified to represent children as a Guardian ad Litem, Child’s Representative, and Attorney for Child. In addition, she is certified in collaborative law, arbitration, and as a mediator. She has taught several classes and seminars in both DuPage and Kane Counties. She is a member of the DuPage County, Kane...

Admitted to practice law in 1982, Maureen Sullivan Taylor graduated with a J.D. from Northern Illinois University Law School. In addition to interning at the United States' Attorneys' Office, Maureen was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Matrimonial Law and also served on the Law Review. Founder of the firm, Maureen is a trained and experienced mediator, and is both a Fellow of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and a member of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals. Maureen is admitted to the United States Supreme Court and the Northern District of Illinois Federal Court and...

Wendy M. Musielak attended DePaul University in Chicago, IL where she graduated with highest honors with a B.S. in Finance and Management. She earned her Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in 2003. Wendy is admitted to practice law in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois. Wendy concentrates her legal practice in family law matters including child custody and visitation, child support, alimony and spousal support, collaborative law, mediation, prenuptial agreements, litigation and appeals and complex litigation. Prior to being a partner with Andrew Cores Family Law Group, Wendy was a Staff Attorney for the...

Nick Nelson was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2008. Since then he has focused on serving his clients and offering practical legal advice that accomplishes the goals of his clients and serves their best interest. Nick's personality, knowledge, and skills have proven beneficial for clients in legal disputes ranging from divorce, civil litigation, business guidance, and negotiations. Nick has won numerous awards and recognition from the legal community, including AVVO Excellent Rating, AVVO Featured Attorney Divorce, AVVO Top Contributor, AVVO Clients' Choice, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10 Best for Client Satisfaction, The National Advocates Top 40 Under...

Ms. Bartik has extensive experience in all aspects of family law, including, divorce, parentage, allocation of parental responsibilities, visitation, complex and high asset marital estates, business valuations, relocation, appeals, and post-decree matters. Ms. Bartik recognizes that family law matters are complex and that every family’s situation is different and unique. Ms. Bartik strives to communicate effectively with her clients and develop strategies and goals to meet the individual needs of her clients.

Ms. Bartik practices in DuPage, Kane, Will, Cook and Kendall Counties and is a member of the DuPage County and Illinois State Bar Associations.

Ms. Bartik earned her J.D. from...