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Cheryl Powell
Lawyer-Mediator-Guardian ad Litem at the Law Office of Cheryl A. Powell.
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Biography
I have been practicing law since 1988. 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, guardianships, powers of attorney and wills. I do a smattering of other things in general. I also hold a master's degree in social work, so I understand 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
Fees
- Free Consultation
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Credit Cards Accepted
I accept all major credit cards, including MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
My consultations are generally $75 for up to one-half hour and $275 per hour after that.
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
- 20th judicial circuit
- Approved mediator
- 20th judicial circuit
- Approved guardian ad litem
- 2nd judicial circuit
- Approved mediator
- 2nd judicial circuit
- Approved guardian ad litem
- 4th judicial circuit
- Approved mediator
- 4th judicial circuit
Websites & Blogs
Legal Answers
701 Questions Answered
- Q. My mom isnt allowed to hit me (court ordered) but she did. I left home at 17 and Im staying with a friend is that legal?
- A: You should contact DCFS and the police, tell them what you are doing and why. Dcfs has forms where your mother could sign guardianship over to another responsible adult until you are 18.
- Q. How to file appeal in juvenile court? How to file motion to dismiss in juvenile court? What are process/outcome of each?
- A: You said you hired a lawyer. These questions are complicated and your lawyer should be answering them.
- Q. How to fight DCFS investigator who made false claims and manipulated information?
- A: It depends on what stage the investigation is at. If it has concluded, you should have gotten a letter and your appeal rights. If you got those, you should appeal immediately and seek a hearing. If you blew the timelines, it is too late.
If you are in court and awaiting adjudication, you can get your evidence in during that hearing. If you are beyond that and are working a service plan, you have opportunities at the permanency hearings.
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