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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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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
- 20th judicial circuit
- Approved mediator
- 20th judicial circuit
Websites & Blogs
Legal Answers
862 Questions Answered
- Q. will me being blackmailed wave my crime?
- A: Don't pay blackmail, there is no end to that. If she turns you in, so be it. The timing of the police report will be taken into consideration. If it's your friends car and he gave you permission, what is the problem?
- Q. Could I face legal trouble if a felon hasn't changed their address but doesn’t live with me and I legally own a gun?
- A: No. The address is his responsibility, not yours. He would only have to report his address if he is on pre trial release, probation, parole or a sex offender. But if he listed your address, you may choose to let them know he does not live there anymore as his address is subject to being searched and you may not want that, even though you don't think anything illegal will be found.
- Q. Can I remove a 2008 firearm possession conviction to obtain a FOID card in Illinois?
- A: I am not aware of any law that gives you the right to do so currently. Apparently, you were a felon on another conviction before that one. In the State of Illinois, one cannot possess a FOID card as a felon. There is a challenge to the FOID Law, however, in White County, Illinois. So check back in a year and see how it has panned out.
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