FAQ
Frequently asked questions
An order of protection can keep you and your children safe from abuse, threats, or harassment. Emergency orders are available the same day; longer orders require a hearing.
Yes. You can include children in your petition, and orders can impact custody and visitation if safety is at stake.
It’s a crime. Police can arrest them, and courts can impose serious penalties, including jail time and the automatic temporary or permanent loss of gun rights.
Not always, but it helps—especially if the abuser contests the order. I also connect clients with local resources and shelters for added safety. Asking for protection isn’t weakness—it’s strength, and it puts safety first.
Adoption is permanent—it transfers full parental rights. Guardianship gives someone legal authority to care for a child (or adult), but it can be temporary and doesn’t erase parental rights unless terminated.
Stepparents, relatives, same-sex couples, and even adults can be adopted under Illinois law. Each has its own process.
Guardianship is established through court. It can be temporary, standby, or permanent, and can later be ended if no longer needed. Guardians are responsible for the child’s daily needs, schooling, and medical care.
In straightforward cases, maybe not—but in contested adoptions, DCFS involvement, or complex guardianships, legal help makes all the difference.
Families are built in many ways. You have options, and the law can help secure them.
Court orders, financial documents, and your questions. If you’re missing paperwork, I can help you track it down.
I accept several forms of payment, offer payment plans, and sometimes flat fees for uncontested or less-complex matters.
You’ll have direct contact with me, not just staff. We’ll set expectations for updates and urgent needs, and I’m available when emergencies hit.
The law is intimidating, but you don’t have to face it alone—I’ll be in it with you, and I bring a passionate team to help you navigate it.