Divorce and custody disputes touch every part of daily life, from where your children sleep at night to how decades of shared property gets divided, and Illinois has its own specific legal terminology and process that catches many families off guard. If you have relatives navigating a separation or custody matter in Illinois, or you’re researching how family courts work there, knowing which attorneys bring both legal precision and genuine care to these cases can make an incredibly difficult chapter feel far more manageable.
Why Illinois Family Law Has Its Own Distinct Approach
Illinois eliminated the term “custody” from its Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act years ago, replacing it with “allocation of parental responsibilities,” which covers both decision-making authority and actual parenting time. There’s no fixed formula determining which parent receives what share of responsibilities; courts take a holistic view based on numerous factors specific to each family. Divorce proceedings can move through mediation, collaborative law, negotiation, or full litigation depending on how cooperative both parties are, which makes the choice of attorney genuinely shape how the entire process unfolds.
1. Beermann LLP
Founded in 1958 on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, this firm has grown into one of Illinois’s most established family law practices, now with over 40 attorneys across two offices. In 2026, Beermann received a Tier 1 ranking from Best Lawyers, a designation reserved specifically for the state’s best family law firms based on skill, professionalism, and integrity. The firm handles everything from complex litigation involving high-net-worth individuals and public figures to negotiated settlements for everyday families, with its extensive resources allowing attorneys to build a customized legal team tailored to each client’s specific situation.
2. Anderson & Boback
Founded by Kimberly Anderson, a former prosecutor who has chaired both the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association’s Family Law Section Councils, this firm brings serious institutional leadership credentials to family law practice. Anderson has been recognized as a Super Lawyer every year since 2008, a distinction earned by only about 5% of Illinois attorneys. Her background prosecuting cases before shifting to family law gives her a particularly sharp perspective on building strong, well-documented arguments in contested custody and divorce matters.
3. Katz & Stefani, LLC
Founded in 2008 by André Katz and Daniel Stefani, this Chicago firm has built a reputation serving prominent individuals in premarital, divorce, and child custody cases. Their team’s extensive backgrounds in business, financial, tax, and accounting matters make them particularly strong in cases involving complex business valuations, employee benefits, and retirement planning disputes during divorce. For families with substantial or complicated financial holdings, this specialized financial fluency often matters just as much as courtroom skill.
4. The Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C.
Since founding his firm in 2009 after leaving a corporate law practice, Jonathan Merel has built a reputation across Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, and Will counties, gaining recognition for representing clients in divorce, child custody, property distribution, and domestic violence cases. Merel has deliberately positioned his approach as different from traditional big-firm family law practice, balancing professionalism with genuine authenticity in how clients are guided through what’s often one of the most difficult periods of their lives. With multiple offices across Chicagoland, the firm offers accessibility across a wide geographic footprint within Illinois.
5. Grund & Leavitt
Founding partner Marvin J. Leavitt brings an unusually distinguished background, having previously served as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County and later as a justice on the Illinois Appellate Court before returning to private practice. That judicial experience gives him a rare, insider understanding of exactly how judges evaluate family law arguments and evidence, a perspective few practicing attorneys can offer. The Chicago Bar Association has praised his “impeccable credentials,” and his firm handles high-profile trials and appeals across both federal and state courts.
FAQs
Q1. Does Illinois still use the term “custody” in divorce cases?
No, Illinois replaced “custody” with “allocation of parental responsibilities,” a term that covers both decision-making authority and actual parenting time schedules. This terminology shift reflects a broader effort to move away from framing parenting arrangements as a win-or-lose custody battle.
Q2. How much does a family law attorney typically charge in Illinois?
Family law attorneys in Illinois generally charge between $200 and $500 per hour depending on location, experience, and case complexity, with some charging flat fees for simple, uncontested matters. Retainer fees typically range from $500 to $5,000 paid upfront, and contested divorces involving custody disputes or complex asset division usually cost more due to the additional time and preparation required.
Q3. Can one attorney represent both spouses in a divorce to save money?
No, a family law attorney in Illinois can only represent one spouse during a divorce, since the interests of both parties are generally considered to be in conflict. Each spouse needs their own separate legal representation to ensure their individual interests are properly protected.
Q4. Is mediation always required before going to court for a divorce in Illinois?
Mediation isn’t always required, but many Illinois family law attorneys encourage it as a faster, less adversarial way to resolve disputes over parenting time, property division, or support before resorting to full litigation. Whether mediation makes sense depends heavily on how willing both parties are to negotiate reasonably with each other.
