- DivorceDissolving a marriage can be a stressful and adversarial process, but it does not have to be. When a divorce is amicable and both parties are capable of working together to settle their issues, a collaborative divorce is possible. Collaborative law is an alternative dispute resolution approach in which parties cooperate to reach an agreement that is mutually satisfactory. At The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., our attorneys are experienced in assisting clients with collaborative divorces. We advise and guide our clients throughout the process and ensure your rights and interests are protected.
- Child SupportRaising children is an expensive endeavor, and both parents typically share responsibility for footing the bill. Child support is intended to provide funds for the basic needs of the child such as food, shelter, education, etc. In addition to these basic needs, however, children often have additional expenses that both parents should also share. The court makes decisions about children's expenses outside of child support on a case-by-case basis and according to its own discretion.
- Child Custody and VisitationDetermining parental responsibility, or child custody, arrangements can be resolved simply or can easily become a contentious process. Parenting disputes are often hard fought by both parties. Obtaining the most favorable arrangement for you and your children requires the best possible representation.
- AdoptionRelated adoptions are adoptions in which a family member adopts the child. Stepparent adoptions are the most common, but other family members such as grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles can adopt as well.
- PaternitySince joining The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C. in 2006, Mr. Williamson has worked exclusively in the field of matrimonial law. Mr. Williamson is dedicated to providing his clients, no matter the issue, with the experience and knowledge necessary to bring their case to a positive resolution. Mr. Williamson has successfully negotiated settlements and/or litigated issues involving complex financial matters, custody, support and division of property. Mr. Williamson has also successfully negotiated custody/financial settlements as they relate to paternity actions.
- Premarital AgreementPrenuptial and postnuptial agreements — We work with clients seeking to protect themselves financially from the possibility of divorce in the future.
- Spousal SupportOur attorneys at The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C. have extensive experience working with clients on alimony matters. We represent husbands and wives in Wheaton, DuPage County, DeKalb County, Kane County, Kendall County and Will County.
- Legal SeparationObtaining a final resolution to a divorce, legal separation or paternity/parentage case is a huge relief to most people. Unfortunately, legal needs do not always end when a legal decree is issued. It is not uncommon for one party to fail to comply with terms of a court-ordered decree.
- AnnulmentDivorce is a judgment in court that legally ends your marriage. Legal separation means you are still legally married but no longer living as husband and wife. An annulment requires the court to determine that your marriage was not valid, so there is no need for a separation or divorce.
- Child Abuse
- Criminal DefenseMr. Boyd has served as a delegate from DuPage County to the Illinois State Bar Association. He has also served on numerous committees for the DuPage County Bar Association including the professional responsibility committee, criminal law committee and in numerous capacities for the family law committee. He has served as an instructor and speaker at various seminars and symposiums held by the DuPage County Bar Association. Further, he is presently appointed to a committee overseeing the DuPage County Evaluation Program and has been appointed to sub committees involving rule changes to said program.
- DUI/DWIChristopher J. Zaruba joined The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C. in June of 2014. Prior to that, Chris was an Assistant State's Attorney at the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office from 2009-2014. Chris began his career at the State's Attorney's office handling traffic and misdemeanor offenses, including DUI's, orders of protection, and domestic batteries. In 2012, Chris received the Outstanding Misdemeanor Prosecutor of the Year award. He was promoted to the Felony Juvenile Division where he worked closely with DCFS in handling cases involving abused or neglected children. After working in the Juvenile Division, Chris was again promoted to the Felony Trial Division where he handled serious offenses including drug offenses, burglaries, and aggravated batteries. During his time at the State's Attorney's Office, Chris prosecuted over 300 cases to trial, including many jury trials. Prior to leaving the State's Attorney's Office, Chris was selected to participate in the National District Attorney's Association annual seminar on Trial Advocacy which he successfully completed. Now Chris primarily focuses his practice on the area of family law.
- Traffic Violations
- MisdemeanorsCriminal prosecution — Extended nonpayment can result in misdemeanor criminal charges that could carry up to a year in jail time and significant fines. The worst offenders could be charged with a class 4 felony and imprisoned for between one and three years upon conviction.
- Drug Crimes
- Restraining OrderOrders of protection and restraining orders — We help domestic violence victims obtain an emergency restraining order as well as similar long-term protections following a hearing.
- Property DamageMichael “Mike†Murphy obtained his Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in May 2020 and joined The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C. in April of 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Mike worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Criminal Division of the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office. He began his career representing the State of Illinois in criminal cases including domestic battery, property damage, possession of illegal substances, misdemeanor traffic violations, battery and disorderly conduct.
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureA claim of dissipation of marital assets can only apply to actions that have taken place during or after the irreconcilable breakdown of the marriage. Such a claim does not apply to actions that occurred when the marriage was intact.
- Tax Law"Exotic Executive Compensation and Understanding and Effectively Dividing Stock Options and Deferred Compensation", Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues in Divorce 2012