Evanston Guardian Ad Litem / Child Representative
Your child's interests should always come first.
Our Evanston GAL / Child Rep prioritizes clear communication & your child's well-being.
847-556-8846North Shore North Shore GAL / Child Rep
A women-led law firm where we prioritize the safeguarding of your child's best interests.
Navigating family legal disputes is never easy. When the welfare of a child is involved, it becomes even more crucial to have a reliable, empathetic legal team that understands the intricacies of family law.
A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or Child Representative is appointed by the court in cases where the best interests of a child need to be represented independently. These professionals provide an unbiased perspective and are tasked with advocating for the child’s best interests in family law cases (or maybe, cases involving the allocation of parental responsibilities; disputes over parenting time, etc.) cases.
At our firm, we understand the importance of this role. We work to ensure that your child’s voice is heard and their needs are met, even amidst complicated legal proceedings.
Our Commitment
- Facilitating the Most Suitable Resolution for Your Child
- Shielding Your Child from Harmful Circumstances
- Diminishing the Impact of Legal Proceedings on Your Child
Why Our Firm?
Leaving child-related legal matters to chance can lead to unfavorable outcomes for children and families. You need a dedicated, understanding lawyer who can help you navigate family law disputes. We aim to provide objective counsel and practical solutions to assist you and protect your children’s best interests.
What Makes Us Different
- Skilled negotiators pushing for the optimal outcome for your child.
- A team-oriented approach to your child representation issue.
- Honest advice and transparent communication about what to expect.
Meet Your Family's Team
Illinois Business Laws & What To Consider
The Long & Short of It…
More than two dozen statutes govern businesses in Illinois. Failure to comply could result in thousands of fines, not to mention potential revenue loss.
Family-Operated Businesses
A closely-held business (or corporation) consists of five or fewer individuals who own 50% of the stock. These small, typically family-run companies are not immune from legal disputes, theft, shareholder arguments, and lawsuits.
Breach of Contract
Whether it is a disgruntled employee or a litigious contractor, all breach of contract plaintiffs must legally establish that:
- A valid written or oral contract exists.
- The plaintiff fulfilled their obligations under the contract.
- The defendant breached the contract by failing to fulfill their obligations.
- The plaintiff suffered financial damages as a direct result of this breach.
Intellectual Property Protection
Intellectual property (IP) is anything created using your mind. Therefore, IP can be a song, a book, a computer code, a new agricultural process, a logo, and more. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issues four types of legal protections for intellectual property.
Patents
Patents exclude competitors from manufacturing, selling, or using the invention.
- Utility Patents: Protects machinery, article of manufacture, process, or composition of matter.
- Design Patents: Protects new, original, and ornamental designs.
- Plant Patents: Protects any variety of asexually-produced plants.
Trademarks
A trademark consists of a word, symbol, phrase, or design differentiating a business from its competitors.
Trade Secrets
A trade secret is private business information such as a process, formula, recipe, or device.
Examples of trade secrets:
- Cosmetic & Skincare Formulas
- Computer Algorithms
- Food Recipes
Copyrights
A copyright can protect anything created by authorship, such as:
- Computer Software
- Literary Works
- Sculptures
- Artistic Works
Minority Shareholder Disputes
Minority shareholders in a closely-held business have several legal instruments to make their wishes known.
In addition to voting at shareholder meetings, minority shareholders can:
- Request an inspection of a company’s records, books, and accounts.
- Maintain a derivative action.
- Dissent and receive payment for their shares (under specific circumstances).
- Seek statutory remedies for shareholder oppression.
- Pursue legal remedies for breach of fiduciary duty by the majority.
Dividing Family Business in a Divorce
When a married couple jointly owns a business, it is considered marital property. Like other jointly-held assets, such as property and bank accounts, a family business must be equitably divided under Illinois law.
There are remedies for dividing a family business in a divorce, depending on whether one spouse was more involved than the other. These can include the following.
Buy-out
The spouse with the greater involvement keeps the business and buys out the other party.
Sell & Divide
Sell the business and divide the profits between both spouses equally.
Status Quo
Although legally divorced, both parties jointly own and operate the business.
FAQs About GAL / Child Rep
Information is power, especially in challenging times.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A GAL OR CHILD REP?
A GAL or Child Representative is appointed by the court to represent the child's best interests in family law cases. They provide an objective perspective and report back to the court regarding the child's situation and needs.
CAN THE GAL OR CHILD REP BE CHANGED?
In Illinois, a GAL or Child Rep appointment can be modified by the Court if it is in the child's best interests.
HOW IS A GAL OR CHILD REP APPOINTED?
A GAL or Child Rep is typically appointed by the Court in cases involving the allocation of parental responsibilities, including parenitng time and parental decision-making.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO MEET WITH THE GAL OR CHILD REP?
Yes. In order to accurately represent the child's best interests, the GAL or Child Representative usually needs to meet and speak with the child.
HOW LONG DOES A GAL OR CHILD REP STAY ON A CASE?
The duration of a GAL or Child Rep's involvement varies case by case. Typically, they remain involved until the court makes a final decision regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities. . However, their role can be extended if the court deems it necessary.
CAN PARENTS COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE GAL OR CHILD REP?
All parties to the legal dispute will communicate directly with the GAL or Child Rep assigned to the case. The GAL/Child Rep will also reach out to third parties who may have insight or information about the child, the family, and the dispute at issue.
You can reach us at 847-556-8846. We can set up a 30-minute consultation with one of our attorneys. We'll listen to your needs and offer advice to make an informed decision about moving forward.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am until 5 pm. Currently, we're meeting with clients via telephone or Zoom.