Paul Chatzky, experienced Child Custody, Child Support attorney in Northfield, IL with 13 reviews
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Average 39,40
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Paul Chatzky

790 West Frontage Road Suite 115, Northfield, IL

star star star star star
5.0 / 5
Avvo
5.0
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Avvo rating
13 Reviews
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5.0 13 reviews
Avvo 5.0

Kristen l. gorenberg

star star star star star
28 Jan, 2019
I've known Paul for many years and chose to have him personally represent me in my post-petition divorce matters. I know many divorce attorneys and did not choose to go back to my initial attorney, so this should resonate. Paul is extremely intelligent and is able to handle complex financial situations. He is very knowledgeable on all pertinent case law involved with divorce matters and the local civil procedure and other filing rules. He reminds me of a tax accountant who can rattle off random IRS code sections. His rates are also competitive and he can go up against any large downtown law firm and obtain great results. This I know from personal experience, as my ex-husband was represented by one of the most well-respected and often nasty law firms in downtown Chicago. He is also very sensitive to an individual's personal situation and a compassionate advocate. And most of all, he's a Mensch! I love Paul, he's the best divorce lawyer and a great friend!
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Matthew

star star star star star
19 Aug, 2018
I hired Paul two years ago having used him for multiple petitions since there and have only had very positive experiences. When looking for a family law lawyer he contacted me within a day from when I sent in a request. He called me right away even though it was a Sunday to discuss the situation and gave me advice even prior to our initial consultation. Paul is incredibly skilled and versed in Illinois family law with a very strong background and experience in practicing in Lake county and Cook county. Due to this Paul is able to give very strategic advice and was able to best possible outcome from my legal situation. While he can be aggressive he is not a "bulldog" lawyer as he understands that law is an art and especially family law it is not always black and white so he does his best to lay out the situation, the options and the potential outcomes. He leaves it up to you to decide the best option to take but makes sure you are making an informed decision. Once you have decided how to best handle the situation he will aggressively execute on that decision but will also constantly reassess to make sure you will get the best outcome. Paul is an amazing legal resource and adviser but he will expect you to stay in the driver seat for any legal situation. You will need to do the leg work to provide Paul all the evidence and information but he will then break the information down and advise on the best course of action. As most legal situations are high stress Paul keeps himself incredibly open to communication and has responded to any urgent situations incredibly fast. When you hire him you have his attention and I've felt him truly care about my case and situation. I can not recall a item that it's taken more than 24 hours to get a response of call from him even on weekends and holidays. I would highly recommend Paul and I have personally given his card to several people when they need help in family law.
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Anonymous

star star star star star
01 Apr, 2018
Beyond brilliant! Exceptional professionalism & knowledge of the law. This is an attorney that looks out for the well being of his clients to the fullest extent & I believe, treats each & every client with the upmost respect & dedicates himself to each & every case. I would recommend this attorney over & over.
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Top review highlights

Pros
1
Exceptional professionalism and legal knowledge
“Beyond brilliant! Exceptional professionalism & knowledge of the law.”
2
Compassionate and caring approach to clients
“He is also very thorough. I especially appreciated the way he calmed me down about this very difficult legal situation that I found myself in by telling me not to worry about anything - that he would handle everything.”
3
Able to handle complex legal and financial matters effectively
“Paul is extremely intelligent and is able to handle complex financial situations. He is very knowledgeable on all pertinent case law involved with divorce matters and the local civil procedure and other filing rules.”
4
Provides strategic and customized advice
“Due to this Paul is able to give very strategic advice and was able to best possible outcome from my legal situation.”
5
Highly responsive and accessible to clients
“As most legal situations are high stress Paul keeps himself incredibly open to communication and has responded to any urgent situations incredibly fast.”
Cons
As a result of the analysis of reviews about this lawyer, no significant cons were found.

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Ashley Darryl Dworsky, experienced Immigration attorney in Northfield, IL with 4 reviews
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info
Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
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09 Jan, 2025 by Anna
Ashley Dworski jest jednym z najlepszych ludzi i bez wątpienia najlepszym adwokatem jakiego znam. Mr Dworsky prowadzil moje sprawy prawne odkąd przyjechałam. Do Stanów. Mimo bardzo skomplikowanej sytuacji imigracyjnej w jakiej znalazłam się ja i moja rodzina w 2006 roku walczył o nas wytrwale w urzędzie imigracyjnym aż w rezultacie ja i mój mąż otrzymaliśmy legalny stały pobyt w USA. Jest on człowiekiem, który dzięki swej ogromnej wiedzy i dobremu sercu potrafi dokonać niemożliwego. Wielu moim znajomym groziła deportacja, ale pomoc ze strony Ashley Dworskyego pozwoliła im pozostać w USA i w rezultacie otrzymać zielone karty i obywatelstwo amerykańskie. Adwokat Dworsky pomagał mi zarówno w sprawach imigracyjnych jak i w innych sprawach, gdy musiałam dochodzić swoich praw na płaszczyźnie biznesowej i cywilnej. Gdy wiele lat temu znalazłam się w trudnej sytuacji imigracyjnej i żaden z adwokatów nie był w stanie mi pomóc - tylko Ashley zaoferował swoją pomoc i walczył o moją zieloną kartę wytrwale przez długi czas. Nigdy pieniądze nie były dla niego najważniejsze. Jego stawki są bardzo uczciwe, czy wręcz niższe od innych adwokatów, którzy często ukrywają całkowite koszty lub dodają je w trakcie trwania procesu imigracyjnego. Ashley nie ukrywa całkowitych kosztów, jest uczciwy i ma ogromne serce wypełnione empatią i współczuciem. Człowiek i jego indywidualna sytuacja są bardzo ważne dla Ashleya, który potraktował mnie jak członka własnej rodziny. Od dnia, w którym zgłosiłam się do niego ze swoim problemem – wiedziałam, że jestem ważna dla niego i czułam się bezpiecznie. Zawsze znajdował czas na rozmowę i wyjście z każdego problemu. Brakuje słów które byłyby w stanie określić moją wdzięczność w stosunku do niego. Ashley Dworsky to empatyczny człowiek o wielkim sercu a do tego profesjonalista w każdym calu, któremu można w pełni zaufać i powierzyć mu każdą skomplikowaną sprawę imigracyjną. Dla Ashleya pieniądze nigdy nie stanowiły priorytetu. Dla niego pierwszy jest zawsze człowiek. Z całego serca polecam wszystkim usługi imigracyjne adwokata Ashleya Dworskyego. Rzeczy niemożliwe załatwia od ręki, cudów też dokonuje, ale w nieco dłuższym czasie.
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star star star star star
08 Jan, 2025 by Larisa preston
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to attorney Ashley Dworsky for his exceptional professionalism, attentiveness, and dedication to his clients. Ashley offered me the opportunity to communicate in any language I was comfortable with, including Russian and Ukrainian, which was an incrediblesupport for me. I do not speak English fluently, but thanks to Ashley, I was able to communicate in a language I understood and fully grasp every step of the process. From the very beginning, Ashley demonstrated himself to be a highly skilled professional who delves deeply into the essence of a case and finds the best solutions, even in the most challenging situations. His patience, attention to detail, and ability to clearly explain complex legal aspects gave me confidence and peace of mind. I knew he would find the right solution, and that is exactly what happened. Ashley is an attorney you can and should trust. He provides professional legal representation, creates a comfortable environment for communication, and does everything possible to achieve the best outcome. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking top-notch legal assistance, even in the most difficult or daunting situations. I know that Ashley will always find the right solution and provide you with protection at any level and in any circumstances. Thank you, Ashley, for your help and professionalism!
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star star star star star
01 Aug, 2014 by Robyn
We retained Mr. Dworsky to manage all of our corporation's immigration needs. Ashley is hands on, a great communicator and is analytical is strategizing for the best result. He is a breath of fresh air - not a big firm drone who only wants to hit us for a fee. His fees are reasonable and we look to a long relationship with Ashley and his firm.
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What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer?

Hiring the right lawyer is crucial for the success of your case. Here are some important questions to ask during your initial consultation:

  1. What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
    Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case.
  2. How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
    Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses.
  3. Who will be handling my case?
    Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals.
  4. What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. What potential outcomes can I expect?
    While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience.
  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  7. What is the expected timeline for my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What challenges do you foresee in my case?
    Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. Are there alternative ways to resolve my legal issue?
    Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.

Can a Lawyer Represent Me in Courts Outside of Northfield, Illinois?

Whether a lawyer can represent you in courts outside of your city or state depends on their licensure and the jurisdiction of the court:

  • Within the Same State:
    Lawyers licensed in a particular state can typically practice anywhere within that state, including all cities and counties. They can represent you in both state and federal courts located in that state.
  • Outside of Their Licensed State:
    If your case is in a different state, the lawyer must be licensed in that state to represent you. However, there are exceptions:
    • Pro Hac Vice Admission: An out-of-state lawyer can request special permission to represent a client in a specific case in another state. This requires filing a motion with the court and often working in conjunction with a local attorney.
    • Federal Courts: If your case is in federal court, a lawyer licensed in any state may be able to represent you, provided they are admitted to practice in that particular federal court.
  • International Representation:
    For cases outside the United States, different rules apply, and the lawyer may need to comply with the foreign country's legal requirements or collaborate with local counsel.

It's important to discuss your specific situation with the lawyer to determine if they can represent you in the desired jurisdiction and what steps may be necessary to do so.

How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer

Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:

  • Verify Their License:
    Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. Most state bar websites have an online directory for this purpose.
  • Experience and Specialization:
    Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. Review their website, professional profiles, and case history.
  • Disciplinary Record:
    Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association's records.
  • Client Reviews and Testimonials:
    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Google, or Yelp to gauge client satisfaction and experiences.
  • Professional Memberships:
    Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field and adherence to high ethical standards.
  • Awards and Recognitions:
    Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation in the legal community.
  • Consultation Assessment:
    Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns.
  • Ask for References:
    A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their abilities and professionalism.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:

  • Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as:
    • Contracts or agreements
    • Correspondence (emails, letters, texts)
    • Legal notices or court papers
    • Financial records (if applicable)
    • Evidence (photos, videos, receipts)
  • Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and parties involved. This helps the lawyer quickly understand the context.
  • List of Questions:
    Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, fees, or the lawyer's experience.
  • Financial Information:
    If your case involves financial matters, bring relevant documents like pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or invoices.
  • Contact Information:
    Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case, including their names and contact information.
  • Personal Identification:
    Bring a valid photo ID for verification purposes.
  • Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points discussed.
  • Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations so the lawyer can provide appropriate guidance on fees and payment options.
  • Openness and Honesty:
    Be prepared to discuss your case candidly. Full disclosure allows the lawyer to give accurate advice and anticipate potential challenges.
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