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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.
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
- College of Lake County
- A.S. (1982) | Business Administration
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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.
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
Awards
- Service to Miliary
- Illinois State Bar Association
Professional Associations
- Illinois State Bar
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Family Law Section Council, Criminal Justice Section Council
- Jefferson county bar assn
- Member
- - Current
- Marion County Bar Assn
- Member
- - Current
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Illinois
- U.S. Supreme Court
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.
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
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
- Q. I need to know if my situation is enough to call cps on my father, and I need to know if I can go through with my plan.
- A: I don't believe so. This is a custody case, not a juvenile abuse and neglect case. You are saying what your behavior was, but using drugs is on you, your dad did not force you to use them. Your dad doesn't do your homework or take your tests, it sounds like he kidnapped you and mom didn't do anything about it, that's on her.what I don't hear is dad is bearing me up, I have pictures of bruises, etc.
- Q. If I was at a mental hospital during my hearing date for an order of protection would that help to get it dropped?
- A: MAYBE. It depends how long ago this happened, were you served with the papers before or during hospital, will your Dr state that you were in such a mental state from mental illness or meds as to not be responsible for not showing up, etc.
Get all your papers together and go see a good family law attorney.
- Q. if my parents are getting evicted and dont have somewhere to go but i do, do they have the right to make me homeless
- A: Yes. Until you are 18 your parents have control over you. They can decide you live at grandma's on the couch or floor, that all of you go to a homeless shelter or wherever it may be absent filth, bugs or feces.
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