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Cheryl Powell

Lawyer-Mediator-Guardian ad Litem at the Law Office of Cheryl A. Powell.

36 years of experience
Family Law, Divorce, Domestic Violence ...
Illinois

Client Reviews

Tad L. July 18, 2022

One of the smartest fighters. An A list lawyer. Cherly Powell is a top pick. She has went above and beyond for me. I had a very bad experience when I first hired another lawyer for my child custody case. The first lawyer promised me alot and delivered very little, it was a $3500 lesson I learned and I was forced to seek other legal advice. I was told about Cheryl through another friend and I scheduled a consultation. Cheryl told me up front the truth about what she felt about the case. It was very honest and it was the truth. She told me that it would take time and with all the factors in the case that I may not get what I want. I could tell that Cherly knew her stuff and was not going to steer me wrong. I hired her and she got right to work. Cherly work consistently for 1 1/2 years on my case. She is very responsive to my emails and she never left no stone unturned. I couldent have asked for a better lawyer. She was aggressive need be and kind when need be. She is a true professional. Even when we had a rough trial day she kicked it up another gear and pulled out everything she possibly could to help me gain custody of my daughter. I am forever grateful for her. She is worth every single penny spent and then some.

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Biography

I have been practicing law since 1988. I have served as a legal services attorney representing clients in orders of protection, divorce, and parentage matters. Next I served as a public defender for 4 years, handling criminal law, juvenile law and mental health commitment cases. I have been in private practice on my own since 1999 representing people in a variety of cases, mostly family law, juvenile law, criminal law, guardianships, powers of attorney and wills. I do a smattering of other things in general. I also hold a master's degree in social work, so I understand mental health problems that are invariably involved in these matters.

Practice Areas

Family Law: Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

Divorce: Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights

Criminal Law: Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

Juvenile Law

Probate: Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Collections

Landlord Tenant: Evictions

Video Conferencing

Google Meet
Skype
Zoom
FreeConferenceCall
GoToMeeting
WhatsApp

Fees

Free Consultation
Credit Cards Accepted
I accept all major credit cards, including MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover.
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
My consultations are generally $75 for up to one-half hour and $275 per hour after that.

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Illinois
Since 1988

U.S. Supreme Court
Since 2002

Languages

English: Spoken, Written

Professional Experience

Attorney/Solo Practitioner: Law office of Cheryl A. Powell; 1999 - Current; Represent clients in a variety of matters, including those listed plus guardianships, wills and powers of attorney.

Assistant public defender: Marion County; 1999 - 2002; Handled criminal law cases, including a murder case. Also handled juvenile cases, including abuse, neglect and delinquency; as well as mental health cases.

Associate: Douglas A. Antonik; 1995 - 1999; Represented numerous clients in family law cases.

Family Law Task Force Coordinator: Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance; 1987 - 1995; Supervised 40 lawyers in their handling of family law cases.

Education

Southern Illinois University - Carbondale: M.S. (1996) | Social work; 1992 - 1996

Northern Illinois University: J.D. | Law; 1984 - 1987

Northern Illinois University: B.A. (1983) | Political Science, Public Administration; with a Minor in Sociology; 1982 - 1983; Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha, honor society

College of Lake County: A.S. (1982) | Business Administration; 1980 - 1982

Awards

Service to Miliary: Illinois State Bar Association; 2010

Professional Associations

Illinois State Bar: Member; 1988 - Current; Activities: Family Law Section Council, Criminal Justice Section Council

Jefferson county bar assn: Member; 1988 - Current

Marion County Bar Assn: Member; 1988 - Current

Certifications

Approved guardian ad litem: 2nd judicial circuit

Approved mediator: 2nd judicial circuit

Approved guardian ad litem: 4th judicial circuit

Approved mediator: 4th judicial circuit

Approved guardian ad litem: 20th judicial circuit

Approved mediator: 20th judicial circuit

Websites & Blogs

Website

Legal Answers

775 Questions Answered

Q. I was granted a temporary order of protection against an ex. I live on Illinois. When will he be served?: June 12, 2024; A: No idea. The sheriff of the county where he lives will serve him asap. If a legal advocate at a women's center or a lawyer helped you and you want him to be on notice sooner, you could have them call him for you and tell him. Make sure they get a phone bill to prove it to the judge. You may also ask the police or Sheriff's office to do it and supply an affidavit to the court.

Q. 17 year old son wants to live with his mom now, I am in IL/ mom is in WI- case was in WI: May 27, 2024; A: Sounds like you need to take the truck privileges away. If he goes to his mom, she can provide him with a car or sign this one over to her so it's not your problem when you can't supervise him and he ends up in a bad accident. Is he going to go to school there? Does mom want him full time? Seems like there should be a conversation about that. I would tell the kid to have his mom call you.

Then you will have to pay child support. Go to the child support estimator to figure that out.

Q. Do I have a right to photos of me taken by my stepmom, an illegal guardian, and posted on her Facebook page?: May 22, 2024; A: I think you would have to file a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to order her to remove them. But I think you also would have to add what harm they are doing to you. And put when the last time was that she put one up. Children don't have control of who takes care of them.

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