Lawson & O’Brien, P.C. is committed to providing top-quality yet affordable legal representation to anyone facing a child support, custody or divorce matter. The attorneys at our firm are experienced family law practitioners who regularly appear in the Kankakee County, Will County, Cook County, and Iroquois County family law courtrooms.
At Lawson & O’Brien, P.C., we understand that issues of spousal support, parenting time, and divorce can be emotionally draining. These matters should not also be financially devastating. At Lawson & O’Brien, P.C. we are committed to making sure our clients are well-informed and well prepared. Our compassionate, highly skilled staff is prepared to help you whether you are paying or entitled to receive child support, seeking parenting time, looking to serve or respond to a divorce petition. Our office can also assist you in the event that you need to seek or defend an Order of Protection.
A message from attorney Patrick O’Brien: “Family law cases can be very emotionally challenging and sometimes unpredictable. You need an advocate who is savvy enough to navigate the system, but also someone compassionate and capable of listening. Ideally, we hope that anyone in a divorce or family law situation will be able to resolve their issues amicably and with minimal involvement from the legal system. However, we also recognize that that simply isn’t always possible, and we’re ready to go to bat for our clients when their rights are threatened.”
Divorce
“I think it’s finally time, I just can’t take any more of this.”
If you are considering filing a divorce or if you have been served with divorce papers, it’s important to retain an attorney to help you through the process. Lawson & O’Brien, P.C. regularly advises clients who are contemplating filing for divorce. Even if you anticipate relatively few or only minor disagreements, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced family law attorney to make sure the process moves smoothly and efficiently through the court system.
Every relationship is different. Whether you are seeking an uncontested divorce or your divorce requires the division of property and creating a parenting plan, the attorneys at Lawson & O’Brien, P.C. are ready to assist you. We offer a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. Talk to us today about whether we can help you file or respond to a divorce petition.
Child Custody/ Visitation/ Parenting Time
“My daughter means the world to me, I really want to be a big part of her life.”
At Lawson & O’Brien, P.C., we feel very strongly that any family law cases involving children should be focused on one thing: the best interests of the child or children. We agree with the legislature that having both parents in a child’s life is an important goal, though experience tells us that joint parenting can be an exceptionally difficult process. Our experienced family law attorneys want to help you through this process. We’ll assist you in achieving the best possible resolution while keeping in mind the best interests of your child.
NOTE: In January 2016, Illinois statutes governing family law cases changed significantly. Child support and parenting time are now awarded according to the updated statutes. Cases involving disputes over parenting time now require the submission of a detailed “parenting plan.” Lawson & O’Brien, P.C. offers a
free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. Talk to us today about whether we can help you with a child custody or parenting time issue.
Contact us right away if you need assistance in a parenting time matter.
Child Support
“I got a letter from the Department of Health and Family Services saying they’re going to start garnishing my wages.”
Raising a child can be an expensive proposition. If you are the primary residential custodian of a child, you may be entitled to money from the child’s other parent to help pay some of the costs of raising a child.
In Illinois, child support can be ordered by a court or it can be administratively ordered through the Department of Health and Family Services. In either case, the amount of child support is guided by statutory guidelines. That does not mean, however, that those calculations are always the final word. It is important to remember that statutory guidelines are just that: guidelines from which deviations may sometimes be made.
If you believe you are entitled to receive child support or if you have been ordered to pay child support and wish to challenge the amount set by the court or DHFS, you should contact our office for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation.
Contact us right away if you need assistance with matters of parenting time.
Enforcement/ Modification
“I got divorced three years ago, but since then I’ve lost my job, and my spouse isn’t giving me any visitation!”
Raising a child can be an expensive proposition. If you are the primary residential custodian of a child, you may be entitled to money from the child’s other parent to help pay some of the costs of raising a child.
Obtaining a court order is not always the end of a domestic relations case. To be useful to you and your family, the parties must comply with the order of the court. What happens if one side is not complying with the court order? Unfortunately, sometimes enforcing the court order requires filing a Motion, and that means going back to court. The experienced family law attorneys at Lawson & O’Brien, P.C. are prepared to help you through that process. We have successfully assisted many of our clients with the enforcement of court orders, and in some cases have even recovered the attorneys fees and costs required to file such motions. If you want to enforce an existing court order, contact our office today.
Court orders relating to Illinois family law cases do not automatically update, and orders relating to children do not expire until the child reaches the age of majority. That means that even if your circumstances change significantly you are still bound to follow a court’s standing order that may be based on outdated information. If you believe your circumstances have changed enough to warrant modifying a court order, contact our office today. We offer a free, confidential case evaluation and consultation.
Contact us right away if you need assistance with matters of Enforcement/Modification.
Paternity
“I have no way of knowing if I’m really the father.”
Sometimes it’s unclear who a child’s father is. When that happens, either parent can bring a paternity case to establish a parental relationship between a father and a child. Frequently this process is useful for mothers seeking to initiate child support. However, our clients are also fathers seeking to initiate custody and parenting time (previously called visitation) rights. If you believe you may benefit from bringing a paternity case, contact Lawson & O’Brien, P.C. for a free, confidential case evaluation and consultation.
Contact us right away if you need assistance with matters involving Paternity.
Orders of Protection
“The judge granted the Emergency Order of Protection, and I was given a hearing date. Help!”
Orders of Protection are civil orders issued by a judge to protect persons from abuse. However, in Illinois there are many ways in which an Order of Protection may be itself abused. For example, Orders of Protection have been used in the past to alter custody rights during a divorce. See this article for several additional examples. Emergency Orders are granted frequently, and may be granted in the absence of the accused party.
If you have been served with an Order of Protection, you need to consult with an experienced attorney immediately. At Lawson & O’Brien, P.C., we have successfully defended against numerous Orders of Protection. Contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation.
Contact us right away if you need assistance regarding Orders of Protection.
Contact an Experienced Family Law Lawyer in Kankakee County
Do not be in the dark about your rights and do not let anyone take advantage of you. Contact our knowledgeable and experienced family law attorneys and get answers today!
Call us Today → 815.450.9702
