Best Divorce Attorneys in Peoria il
Jerry Tuffentsamer
Divorce Lawyers
A native of central Illinois, Attorney, Jerry A. Tuffentsamer, was raised in the local small community of Manito, Illinois. Prior to attending law school, Jerry worked for several years in the central Illinois as union construction laborer out of the Laborers’ International Union, Local 231. As a union laborer, Jerry worked several years for a local commercial concrete and masonry company.
Jerry received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies/Pre-law from Southern Illinois University in 2008. Jerry then received his Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2011. While in law school, Jerry was a member of the Southern Illinois University School of Law Trial Team that successfully competed in several national trial competitions. In law school, Jerry was also a three year recipient of the Fairy B. Neal Scholarship and a two-time recipient of the Al A. Chesser Scholarship for ethics and scholastic achievement.
Kip Shelby
Divorce Lawyers
I have been practicing law since 1993 and have over 25 years of experience providing clients with professional legal representation. If you schedule a free consultation with our office, I will meet with you personally to discuss your case and help you solve your legal issues. **Specializing in bankruptcy and other areas of law (family law, traffic, wills, foreclosure, real estate and business).**
Professional Experience:
- Over 25 Years Experience
- Over 2,000 Bankruptcies Filed Since 1993
- Illinois Licensed/Practicing Attorney Since 2000
- Iowa Licensed/Practicing Attorney 1993-2000
- Specializing in bankruptcy and other legal areas (divorce, custody, domestic abuse, traffic, DUI, wills, real estate)
- Criminal Defense and Traffic Trials
- Divorce and Custody Trials
- In-House Corporate Real Estate Counsel, Publicly Traded Corporation (1998-2000)
- Real Estate Closings and Preparation of Real Estate Deeds and Contracts
- Preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney
- Formation of Corporations and LLCs
- Business Acquisitions and Asset Purchases
- Commercial Litigation and Property Disputes
- Evictions and Landlord/Tenant Disputes
Rob Hanauer
Divorce Lawyers
Rob Hanauer has been interviewed by the broadcast news media for his representation of various high-profile clients, including affiliates for ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox news. His cases have been covered in various blogs and print news outlets throughout the state, including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Illinois State Bar Association, Peoria Journal Star, Quad-City Times, and Herald-Whig, to name just a few. Rob has also been a commentator, offering legal opinions on various issues of public concern, for affiliates of CBS and Fox news.
When it comes to courtroom experience, Rob has the experience it takes to succeed. Rob has appeared thousands of times in state and federal trial and appellate courtrooms throughout Illinois. He has conducted countless motion hearings; bench trials; and jury trials, securing favorable rulings and outcomes; the dismissal of charges; and “not guilty” verdicts in many cases. Rob has argued before various state and federal appellate courts, including the Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Appellate Court, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Rob has also argued before the Department of the Army; Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois Department of Human Rights; Illinois Liquor Control Commission; Illinois Department of Public Health; Peoria County Election Commission; arbitrators on behalf of labor unions; various other local administrative agencies; and he has filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the Supreme Court of the United States. When you need someone with experience and success, hire Hanauer.
Susan H. Butler
Divorce Lawyers
Susan Butler is the Founding Partner of Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C., and has earned her reputation as a successful family law litigator and attorney over 40 years of practice in Central Illinois.
Susan has broad experience handling complex asset division, pension issues, and maintenance matters for both men and women. Clients seek her representation for challenging cases such as those involving professional practices, business interests, and farm properties. She has expertise in handling difficult employment, pension, and retirement issues, including dealing with stock options, executive compensation, Golden Parachute issues, and the drafting of qualified domestic relations orders and qualified orders for the division of federal and state pensions.
Susan is a versatile attorney who offers her clients a range of options for resolving their disputes. She is an experienced litigator who handles her cases with finesse in the courtroom, but she also has a record of settling even the toughest of cases by agreement between the parties.
Susan believes the client comes first and should be treated with respect. She is a natural advocate, learning what is important to her client, and then persuasively telling the client’s story to the court to achieve a successful result. Susan thrives on researching the law, analyzing the facts, and being fully prepared.
Susan also has extensive experience in preparing pre-and post-nuptial agreements, from both the side of the asset-advantaged and the disadvantaged, future spouse. She has a very successful record in the Third and Fourth District Illinois Appellate Courts, with numerous appellate affirmations.
Angela Evans
Divorce Lawyers
Angela handles your case. Her paralegals and support team assist. You will talk with Angela most of the time. While paralegals and support staff may be used to gather information and help schedule matters, your substantive discussions about your legal matter will be with Angela.
We stay busy and have a lot of work, but we don’t handle near the volume of many other law firms.
Angela believes in transparency with her clients. You will see all the written communications to and from opposing counsel. You can opt out of this if you like (some clients say they get too many emails) but until you say otherwise, you see what we see. When she tells you what was discussed in your case or what happened at hearing you perhaps could not attend, you will hear all the details, not just select portions. You are kept in the loop of exactly what is going on in your case every step of the way. Many clients even have Angela’s cell phone. She just asks no one ever consider her a first responder and respect that she tries to separate work from family life during non-business hours.
We provide transparency in our billing. Biweekly and detailed billing provides you more control over your litigation budget. With detailed invoices, you can analyze how much the issues you are raising is costing, and better decide if you want to continue investing in that issue or action. Detailed billing entries also allows you to frequently check in on what has been accomplished and if something you wanted done was not already brought to your attention via email and is not on the billing, you can reach out and ask about it. We keep timers going and bill in six-minute increments. The aim of detailed and frequent billing is to help you feel more in control of the cost of litigation. Without the information, you can’t ask questions or communicate your budgetary needs for your litigation team.
Angela truly believes that her representation of her client requires her to always send the message and strategy to opposing counsel and the Court that has been agreed upon between her and her clients. At all times, whether the client is in the room or not, she strives to convey the same message, same goals, same perspectives that her client wants conveyed. Angela views herself as an informed messenger. Sure, she helps you see the case from all perspectives and not just an emotional and entrenched view that the Parties inevitably obtain, but once an objective or message is identified and agreed upon between you and Angela, she sticks to it.
Kevin O'Flaherty
Divorce Lawyers
Kevin O’Flaherty is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Chicago-Kent College of Law. He has experience in family law, litigation, estate planning, bankruptcy, real estate, and comprehensive business representation. He regularly teaches seminars on Estate Planning and Business Law.
He has been honored to be a recipient of Suburban Life’s “Best Under 40” Award when he was still under 40, which is sadly no longer the case. Kevin received an award from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys as one of the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction. Kevin is licensed in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana as well as the Northern District of Illinois Federal Court. He is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.
Kevin is committed to giving back to the community both through his work as an attorney and through personal service activities. He has served as the Vice President of the Rotary Club of Downers Grove; the Board of Directors for the local Chamber of Commerce and has chaired the Business Expo committee for Rotary Grove Fest, Downers Grove’s annual summer festival.
“I founded O’Flaherty Law in 2011 with the goal of providing comprehensive and holistic legal representation, above-and-beyond client service and open lines of communication at affordable rates. I am committed to ensuring that every client that interacts with our firm receives effective and efficient legal advice and representation with a personal touch. I am extremely proud of the talented and personable attorneys, paralegals and support staff on our team and the cutting-edge infrastructure we have developed to ensure reliable top-notch legal service to each and every one of our clients. We strive to exceed expectations at every opportunity. I hope you have a great experience working with our firm.”
Roseberry, Todd A.
Divorce Lawyers
Mr. Roseberry’s experience includes a period of employment with the Illinois Department of Public Aid, Springfield, Illinois, as a Public Aid Income Maintenance Specialist. He also served in the Illinois Army National Guard at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, from 1985 to 1993 as a medic and medical laboratory technician. Todd is married with three children and lives in Leroy, Illinois. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the McLean County Bar Association. He is a member of the Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Bloomington, Illinois where he teaches religious education to high school children. His interests include American History, religion, martial arts and he occupies himself making primitive and traditional archery equipment. He is currently a student at the St. Macrina Orthodox Institute.
Practice Areas:
- Divorce, Parentage, Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, Adoption 40%
- Criminal Defense and DUI Defense 25%
- Real Estate Purchases, Sales And Disputes 5%
- Wills, Trusts and Estates 5%
- Contract Law 10%
- Landlord/Tenant Law 5%
- Commercial Collections 5%
- Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice 5%
Jennifer Patton
Divorce Lawyers
Jennifer graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1994. After passing the bar and being admitted to the State of Illinois to practice law, Jennifer began working for a private firm in Cook County. For 5 years she focused on Criminal Law in the Cook/Dupage/Lake county areas.
In 2000 she moved to Bloomington, Illinois and started working for the McLean County State’s Attorney Office. She continued to work for the State’s Attorney until 2014. While there, she was the head of the domestic violence, the designated attorney for child sex crimes and led the Sexual Assault Task Force.
In 2014 Jennifer moved to the office of the McLean County Public Defender’s office. She changed jobs at that time to help ensure that the indigent people of McLean County had the best representation. After serving as the First Assistant in the Public Defenders office, she decided to start her own firm.
On January 1, 2019 Jennifer opened JP Law Office. JP Law Office is a one attorney law firm. Jennifer focuses on her clients and tries to give them the personal touch that everyone deserves. JP Law Firm focuses on Criminal Law, felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic. She has been a Guardian Ad Litem and is able to assist people in divorces or child custody issues.
HELEN OGAR
Divorce Lawyers
Helen Ogar is one of the preeminent matrimonial attorneys in Central Illinois. Her practice has focused on family law, which includes divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, and maintenance. Helen’s experience and compassion for her clients enables her to creatively assist them as they focus on their present and future legal and financial needs.
Helen uses a balanced approach to custody disputes; she represents the interest of her client, but also maintains an ongoing concern for the best interest of the minor children. This results in often redirecting clients to ensure their minor children are kept out of the fray.
The minor children of a contested divorce often need an individual to serve their interests so they are not treated as pawns between warring parents. When she is not already representing one of the parties, Helen is often appointed by the Court as the minor child’s representative. In this capacity, Helen is only concerned for the best interest of the minor child and works diligently to insure the child’s voice is heard.
As a trial lawyer with over 35 years of experience, Helen has the ability to negotiate a property settlement between the parties, or, if no settlement is possible, prepare for and try property distribution and maintenance cases.
Helen is a strong advocate of the mediation process and, if applicable, guides her clients towards mediation with a certified mediator.
Helen has been admitted to the following Bars and Courts: Missouri (1985); U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri (1985); Illinois (1986); U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois (1987); U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (1991); Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals (1991).
She is a 1985 graduate of the University of Missouri Law School.
Helen began her practice of law in 1985 as an associate in the law firm of Sherman, Wickens, Lysaught and Speck at Kansas City, Missouri. In 1986, she moved to Bloomington, Illinois, and joined the Dunn Law Firm where she later became a partner. In 1996, Helen joined her husband, Paul G. Lawrence, and his father, William B. Lawrence, at Lawrence Law firm. In 1998, Lawrence Law Firm moved to its current address at 108 W. Monroe St., Bloomington, Illinois, and became the firm of Lawrence, Moore & Ogar.
Helen is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, where she has served as a member of the Standing Committee for Public Relations and as a member of the School Law section council. She is also a member of the McLean County Bar Association, where she served as secretary. Helen is also a member of the Robert C. Underwood Inns of Court.
Having the best divorce lawyer in Peoria can provide numerous benefits during the divorce process. Here are some advantages of hiring top-notch legal representation:
Expert Legal Advice: The best divorce lawyers have extensive knowledge and experience in family law. They can provide you with expert advice tailored to your specific situation, helping you understand your rights and legal options during the divorce process.
Asset and Property Division: Divorce often involves the division of assets and properties acquired during the marriage. A skilled lawyer can help protect your financial interests and ensure a fair distribution of marital property under Illinois law.
Child Custody and Support: If you have children, custody and support arrangements are crucial aspects of a divorce. A competent attorney can advocate for your parental rights and work towards securing the best possible custody and support arrangement for your children, considering the best interests of the child.
Negotiation Skills: Many divorce cases are resolved through negotiation rather than going to trial. A top divorce lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, aiming to achieve a favorable settlement that meets your needs and priorities.
Court Representation: In cases where negotiation fails and litigation becomes necessary, a strong divorce lawyer can represent you in court, presenting your case persuasively and advocating for your interests before a judge familiar with Peoria’s local legal landscape.
Thorough Documentation: Divorce involves a significant amount of paperwork and documentation. An experienced attorney will ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and on time, avoiding delays and potential legal issues.
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: The best divorce lawyers can guide you through mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods, which can lead to more amicable and cost-effective divorce resolutions.
Protection from Unfair Settlements: During a divorce, emotions can run high, leading to hasty decisions. A reputable lawyer acts as an objective advisor, protecting you from accepting unfair or unfavorable settlements.
Knowledge of Local Laws: Each jurisdiction may have unique divorce laws and procedures. Hiring a local attorney who is well-versed in Peoria and Illinois family law can be advantageous as they understand the local court system and judges’ preferences.
Reduction of Stress: Going through a divorce can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Having a skilled attorney handle the legal aspects allows you to focus on healing and rebuilding your life, reducing the stress of the legal process.
Privacy and Confidentiality: The best divorce lawyers prioritize your privacy and confidentiality, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure throughout the legal process.
In summary, having the best divorce lawyer in Peoria can significantly impact the outcome of your divorce case. They can provide expert legal counsel, protect your rights and interests, and help you navigate the complexities of the divorce process with greater ease and confidence.