Family Law

Listed in the Family Law section of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyer, Levin & Brend is distinguished in the practice of Family Law.

Our attorneys provide legal services in all aspects of family law –adoption, paternity, divorce, spousal support, alimony, child support, child custody and visitation.

Divorce may be a simple negotiation, when spouses agree on an equitable division of property and assets. More often than not, severing the bonds of marriage is a major conflict, involving legal and financial aspects. When lives of children are at stake, issues of custody, support and visitation become added points of contention.

While all states have statutes that provide for appointment of a guardian or attorney for the child, Illinois is one of only three states in which a statute permits the court to appoint an attorney for the child, a guardian ad litem or an attorney to serve in both capacities, commonly referred to as a Child's Representative. “Ad litem” means for the lawsuit or legal proceeding”. A guardian ad litem is a guardian appointed to represent the child’s best interests in a lawsuit and is different from an attorney in that the guardian is bound to determine and advocate for the child client's best interest, which can be at odds with the child's preference. A concerned parent may request appointment of guardian or attorney for the child, if the children's interests are likely to get buried in the parents' issues. When the parents are acrimonious, the judge may simply decide to make the appointment. It’s not uncommon for judges to appoint a Levin & Brend attorney as one of these child advocates in complicated custody and visitation cases.

Along with child advocacy, our firm’s versatility in forensic accounting, business valuation, business transactions, tax law and litigation, all complement the expertise we bring to the table, when helping our clients navigate the rough waters of complex and contested divorce cases.

At Levin & Brend we represent clients in a wide array of family law issues including:

• Complex Child Custody and Visitation Issues
• Financial Discovery
• Forensic Accounting
• Business Valuation
• Tax Considerations
• Property Rights
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Paternity
• Adoption
• Child Support/Alimony/Maintenance
• Marital Settlement Agreements
• Separation Agreements
• Appeals

When you need the skills of legal and financial professionals to resolve your family law matters, you will find both at Levin & Brend, P.C. To arrange an appointment with one of our experts, please call our office at 312-726-4440.