Cheryl Powell

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.

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

• Free Consultation
• 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.

Illinois

Since 1988

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2002

Attorney/Solo Practitioner

Law office of Cheryl A. Powell

1999 - Current

Represent clients in a variety of matters, including those listed plus guardianships, wills and powers of attorney.

Assistant public defender

Marion County

1999 - 2002

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

1995 - 1999

Represented numerous clients in family law cases.

Family Law Task Force Coordinator

Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance

1987 - 1995

Supervised 40 lawyers in their handling of family law cases.

Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

M.S. (1996) | Social work

1992 - 1996

Northern Illinois University

J.D. | Law

1984 - 1987

Northern Illinois University

B.A. (1983) | Political Science, Public Administration; with a Minor in Sociology

1982 - 1983

Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha, honor society

College of Lake County

A.S. (1982) | Business Administration

1980 - 1982

Service to Miliary

Illinois State Bar Association

2010

Illinois State Bar

Member

1988 - Current

Activities: Family Law Section Council, Criminal Justice Section Council

Jefferson county bar assn

Member

1988 - Current

Marion County Bar Assn

Member

1988 - Current

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

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?

December 7, 2023

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?

December 7, 2023

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?

December 7, 2023

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.