Business Details
Family Law Services in Chicago
Marilyn Longwell & Associates has dedicated its practice to guiding families through complex legal transitions with compassion and expertise. With over 30 years of experience in family law, the firm specializes in divorce, custody, support, and mediation, prioritizing client-centered representation. The team combines deep legal knowledge with a commitment to open communication, ensuring solutions that protect family well-being.Recognized for excellence, the firm is actively involved in the Illinois State Bar Association and has earned accolades for its work. Clients consistently praise the firm's ability to navigate emotionally charged cases with professionalism and empathy, delivering fair settlements and timely resolutions.
Services
Family Law
Divorce
Custody
Support
Parentage
Mediation
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of specialized family law experience.
- Our team provides client-centered representation with compassionate advocacy.
- We are recognized leaders in Illinois family law circles.
- Our mediation services prioritize workable, sustainable solutions.
- We have successfully resolved complex cases before trial.
What people say
Compassion for you
Fair settlement
Best divorce lawyer
Timely resolution
Professional yet thoughtful
Services
Family Law
Marilyn Longwell & Associates provides comprehensive family law services addressing divorce, custody, and parental responsibilities. Our approach prioritizes client needs while navigating complex legal frameworks. We combine decades of experience with compassionate advocacy to achieve fair outcomes in emotionally charged cases.
Divorce
Our divorce practice focuses on efficient resolution through negotiation or litigation. We handle asset division, maintenance calculations, and complex financial matters. With extensive courtroom experience, we protect client interests while minimizing emotional distress during marital dissolution proceedings.
Custody
We guide clients through modern custody frameworks focusing on parental responsibilities and parenting time. Our expertise includes creating tailored parenting plans and resolving disputes over education, healthcare, and extracurricular decision-making responsibilities for children.
Mediation
The firm offers mediation services to resolve family law disputes amicably. Our certified mediators facilitate productive discussions while ensuring clients understand legal rights and potential outcomes, often avoiding lengthy court battles and reducing emotional strain.
Support
We handle all aspects of financial support including child support calculations and spousal maintenance determinations. Our approach considers current income guidelines while advocating for fair, sustainable financial arrangements that meet clients' long-term needs.
People
Marilyn F. Longwell
Principal Attorney
With over 30 years of family law experience, Marilyn Longwell specializes in divorce, custody, and mediation. A former West Suburban Bar Association president, she combines legal expertise with compassionate advocacy to protect family interests.
Questions
How long will my family law case take?
Case duration depends on cooperation between parties. Agreements can finalize in weeks, while contested cases may take over a year.
Do we have to go to court for divorce?
Yes, court involvement is required to make agreements legally enforceable through court orders or judgments.
Can I get sole custody in Illinois?
Illinois uses 'parental responsibilities' instead of custody, focusing on decision-making authority and parenting time arrangements.
How is child support calculated?
Child support now uses a formula based on both parents' incomes rather than a percentage of net income.
Can I change lawyers during my case?
Yes, you can change attorneys unless too close to a trial date, though maintaining good lawyer-client chemistry is crucial.
