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Cheryl Powell
Law office of Cheryl A. Powell
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Biography
I have been practicing law for over 30 years. 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, domestic violence, guardianships, powers of attorney, wills and landlord-tenant cases. I do a smattering of other things in general. I also hold a Master's degree in Social Work, so I understand the 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
Fees
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Free Consultation
Brief 15 minute consultations to determine if I can help you and determine your retainer fee. If complicated custody matters, I usually charge my regular fee of $300 because it takes longer to determine the level of complications in the case. -
Credit Cards Accepted
I accept all major credit cards, including MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Illinois
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- U.S. Supreme Court
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Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
- Attorney/Solo Practitioner
- Law office of Cheryl A. Powell
- - Current
- Represent clients in a variety of matters, including those listed plus guardianships, wills and powers of attorney.
- Assistant public defender
- Marion County
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- 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
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- Represented numerous clients in family law cases.
- Family Law Task Force Coordinator
- Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance
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- Supervised 40 lawyers in their handling of family law cases.
Education
- Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
- M.S. (1996) | Social work
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- Northern Illinois University
- J.D. | Law
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- Northern Illinois University
- B.A. (1983) | Political Science, Public Administration; with a Minor in Sociology
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- Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha, honor society
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- College of Lake County
- A.S. (1982) | Business Administration
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Awards
- Service to Miliary
- Illinois State Bar Association
Professional Associations
- Illinois State Bar
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Family Law Section Council, Criminal Justice Section Council
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- Jefferson county bar assn
- Member
- - Current
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- Marion County Bar Assn
- Member
- - Current
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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
Legal Answers
817 Questions Answered
- Q. How can new York give custody when there is a custody case filled here in Illinois between his mom and I
- A: Is there a custody order in either state? This is a complicated matter that requires a phone call. I practice in Illinois but not in all counties in Illinois. It looks like you are from Paris, and if that is where your case is filed I would not be able to represent you. However, you need an Illinois lawyer in your local area to advise you asap.
- Q. How can I get a no contact order lifted
- A: You are not a party to the litigation and therefore you have no ability to file anything to change that process. You may talk to the State's Attorney to ask or to his lawyer to ask, as one of them would have to file a motion. Of course, you would want to know when the motion is heard so you can be there to testify. Someone asked this same question recently and the guy had choked her. If you are that person asking again, it's unlikely that a no contact order would be dropped because of the level of severity of the violence. The state does not want your dead body on its hands.
- Q. If I was on bond with the pre-trial conditions the same as an order of protection and the order of protection was
- A: No. The order of protection is a separate case usually with an op case number. The criminal case is a cm or cf case and one of the bond conditions is no contact with victim.
They are two separate things. Dropping of one does not equal dropping of th r other.
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