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Pro Legal Care LLC

For your life. For your family. Forward.

Illinois and Wisconsin

(815) 200-8802

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  • Zachary Townsend

What is a Guardian ad Litem?

In Illinois child custody and divorce cases, a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is an attorney appointed by the court to represent the best interest of the minor children. Guardians ad litem may conduct an investigation, complete interviews with the parties, the child, other adults in the child’s life, conduct home visits, review medical records and school records, and report to the court about the child’s well being and best interests. GALs are often distinguished from child attorneys and child representatives.

stock photo of a person at a computer with a family report in a folder sitting on desk next to keyboard

Table of contents

  • Do all custody cases have Guardians ad Litem?
  • What is the primary goal of the Guardian ad litem?
  • What are the responsibilities of a Guardian ad Litem in Illinois?
  • How much does a Guardian ad Litem cost in Illinois?
  • Who pays for the Guardian ad Litem?
  • Can you request a new Guardian ad Litem in Illinois?
  • Do I have to follow my Guardian ad Litem’s recommendations?
  • Challenging a Guardian ad Litem’s Report
    • Determine how GAL came to these conclusions
    • Deposition of a Guardian ad Litem
    • Calling the Guardian ad Litem as a witness
    • Get a Custody Evaluator
    • Settle Your Case by Agreement
  • Can I sue a Guardian ad Litem in Illinois?
  • How can I make sure I make a good impression with my GAL?
  • If my case has a Guardian ad Litem, do I need my own attorney?

Do all custody cases have Guardians ad Litem?

The appointment of a GAL to represent a child’s best interests in court proceedings is very dependent on local rules and customs in your case’s county, but no, not all custody cases have a GAL appointment. A Guardian ad Litem is not typically appointed when parents agree to the terms of agreed Parenting Plans, are able to compromise and communicate well with one another, and do not have substantial outstanding issues on which they disagree.

Generally, a Guardian ad Litem is appointed in contentious cases and cases where reports of abuse, neglect or harm to the child have been made. A judge will also appoint Guardians ad Litem in cases involving disabled children and adults, juvenile abuse and neglect, truancy, relocation, guardianship, or adoption. GALs are also frequently appointed when DCFS has been involved with the family.

What is the primary goal of the Guardian ad litem?

A GAL acts as a neutral investigator of the courts. Guardians ad Litem conduct interviews, review the case pleadings and history, pending motions, attend the hearings, and act as the eyes and ears of the judge outside of the courtroom in order to investigate the matter at issue in the litigation and provide their recommendations to resolve the case for the best interests of the child or children.

The court order that appoints the GAL may define the scope and how much further investigation the GAL will be completing in order to present their report to the judge.

What are the responsibilities of a Guardian ad Litem in Illinois?

Illinois Supreme Court rule 907 identifies the duties of Guardians ad Litem.

“As soon as practicable, the child representative, attorney for the child or guardian ad litem shall interview the child, or if the child is too young to be interviewed, the attorney should, at a minimum, observe the child. The child representative, attorney for the child or guardian ad litem shall also take whatever reasonable steps are necessary to obtain all information pertaining to issues affecting the child, including interviewing family members and others possessing special knowledge of the child’s circumstances.
(d) The child representative, attorney for the child or guardian ad litem shall take whatever reasonable steps are necessary to determine what services the family needs to address the custody or allocation of parental responsibilities dispute, make appropriate recommendations to the parties, and seek appropriate relief in court, if required, in order to serve the best interest of the child.
(e) The child representative, attorney for the child or guardian ad litem shall determine whether a settlement of the custody or allocation of parental responsibilities dispute can be achieved by agreement, and, to the extent feasible, shall attempt to resolve such disputes by an agreement that serves the best interest of the child.” Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 907(c),(d),(e)

A GAL may file their own motion in court while advocating for the child or children as well as their petition for fees for compensation for the work that they perform.

How much does a Guardian ad Litem cost in Illinois?

The fees associated with Guardian ad Litem services are almost always set forth in the court order appointing the GAL. The appointment order should address the hourly rate of the GAL and any retainer required of the parties if applicable. The total cost of a GAL will depend on how many hours are necessary for the investigation and report, how much time is spent in court hearings, and the hourly rate of the appointed attorney.

Who pays for the Guardian ad Litem?

The court order appointing the Guardian ad Litem will also address which party is responsible. In many Illinois counties, it is customary for the Guardian ad Litem fees to be equally split between the two parents or two parties. Judges have discretion to set the fees to be split unequally or even assigned solely to one parent. Some counties and courts also have fee waivers which apply to GAL fees if both parties are indigent, but this is rare. This can vary depending on whether your case is for custody, divorce, guardianship or adoption.

Your attorney can advise you prior to the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem what your expected share of the fees may be, and if a Guardian ad Litem has already been appointed in your case, you should be able to consult the court order for more information.

If your Guardian ad Litem appointment order specified a retainer to be paid by you, you should prioritize the payment to the GAL immediately. The GAL may not begin work until the retainer is paid and your case may be substantially delayed (and you will appear uncooperative to the judge) if the delay is caused by non-payment of the GAL’s retainer. The GAL may also proceed with the GAL investigation that does not consider your input, if you are unable to pay the GAL fee.

Can you request a new Guardian ad Litem in Illinois?

A GAL in Illinois is a licensed attorney and so long as the GAL is following the ethical rules that govern the practice of law in Illinois, it would be highly unlikely to be able to have a Guardian ad Litem removed from your case.

Some, but not all, scenarios where a Guardian ad Litem could be removed would include:

  • Breach of Loyalty – did your Guardian ad Litem previously represent you or the other party? Was your GAL familiar with the parties on a personal level prior to appointment?
  • Failure to perform the duties ordered by the judge
  • Dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation – this would be incredibly difficult to prove and you should not accuse a GAL of lying unless you have very convincing evidence of it and you’ve consulted with an Attorney
  • A Guardian ad Litem may also be voluntarily released from your case if the GAL moves, changes careers, retires, or is otherwise unable to continue serving to represent your child’s best interest.

Consulting an attorney should be your first step if you are having a conflict with the GAL appointed for your child or children. There are many options available to you that have a greater chance of succeeding in court and not damaging your custody case that you should consider prior to attacking your Guardian ad Litem’s character.

stock photo of sad child holding two parents hands

Do I have to follow my Guardian ad Litem’s recommendations?

Your Guardian ad Litem’s recommendations do not immediately become an order of the court. If you disagree with the report and recommendations, consult with your attorney to come up with a strategy to prevent the GAL’s recommendations from being ordered in your case.

If the judge does issue an order implementing some or all of the GAL’s recommendations, then yes, you do have to follow the court order, like all orders of the court in your case.

Challenging a Guardian ad Litem’s Report

If you are unhappy with the report or recommendations of your Guardian ad Litem, you still have time to take action before the judge considers and implements your GAL’s recommendations as a court order.

Determine how GAL came to these conclusions

Read your Guardian ad Litem’s written report thoroughly. Your GAL report will disclose the collateral witnesses that were interviewed and the materials that were read by the GAL that led them to the conclusions within the report. Was there a witness for your side that was never interviewed? Do you feel like reviewing school or medical records was not included in the investigation and should have been? Do you just disagree with the GAL’s recommendation or do you believe they didn’t complete portions of the investigation that would have changed their recommendation?

Deposition of a Guardian ad Litem

Prior to your case going to trial, your attorney will likely want to take your GAL’s deposition. A deposition is sworn testimony taken out-of-court, in front of a court reporter. It is an opportunity for your attorney to examine the GAL under oath about their investigation.

Calling the Guardian ad Litem as a witness

If your case proceeds to trial, your attorney can put your GAL on the stand under oath to testify about their investigation and how they came to their conclusions in their report. It is another opportunity for the judge to consider that the recommendations of the GAL may not have considered the details that you think are important to making decisions regarding your child’s future.

Get a Custody Evaluator

A Custody Evaluator is a psychiatrist that can be appointed in a contentious divorce or family case to do even more in-depth investigation of the situation than the GAL has provided.

The Custody Evaluator can be appointed as either the court’s witness, and typically the judge will order the costs to be split in some manner between the parties, or as a witness for one of the parties, where the party requesting the evaluation will be responsible for the evaluator’s fees. Each side can have their own expert witness to present their own case and try to dispute or discredit the other side’s expert witness.

Custody evaluations are very expensive and time-consuming.

Settle Your Case by Agreement

Your Guardian ad Litem was appointed because of issues involving your children where you could not come to agreement with your opposing party. Sometimes, both parties are unhappy with the opinions of the GAL as to how they should split timesharing and decision-making and feel as though their parental rights are being usurped by a stranger. A GAL does not replace your attorney’s ability to continue negotiating with your opposing party to try to reach an agreement decided by the parents rather than the GAL. Once you’ve reached a compromise, the Guardian ad Litem’s recommendations to the court may no longer be relevant, as your litigation can come to an end.

Can I sue a Guardian ad Litem in Illinois?

A Guardian ad Litem has immunity from being sued by the parents of the children in cases where they are appointed so long as their actions were not illegal and were taken in the scope of doing their job, similar to the immunity of the judge.

“Guardians ad litem and court-appointed experts, including psychiatrists, are absolutely immune from liability for damages when they act at the court’s direction. [Citations.] They are arms of the court, much like special masters, and deserve protection from harassment by disappointed litigants, just as judges do. Experts asked by the court to advise on what disposition will serve the best interests of a child in a custody proceeding need absolute immunity in order to be able to fulfill their obligations `without the worry of intimidation and harassment from dissatisfied parents.’ [Citation.] This principle is applicable to a child’s representative, who although bound to consult the child is not bound by the child’s wishes but rather by the child’s best interests, and is thus a neutral, much like a court-appointed expert witness.” Cooney v. Rossiter, 583 F.3d 967, 970 (7th Cir. 2009).

If you have a serious disagreement with your GAL, you should also refrain from any harassing behavior towards the GAL, which is a misdemeanor in the state of Illinois.

“A person who, with intent to harass or annoy one who has served or is serving or who is a family member of a person who has served or is serving as a representative for the child, appointed under Section 506 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act or Section 2-502 of the Code of Civil Procedure, because of the representative service of that capacity, communicates directly or indirectly with the representative or a family member of the representative in such manner as to produce mental anguish or emotional distress or who conveys a threat of injury or damage to the property or person of any representative or a family member of the representative commits a Class A misdemeanor.” 720 ILCS 5/32-4a

stock photo of a person with a magnifying glass examining paper dolls that represent a family

How can I make sure I make a good impression with my GAL?

Attorney Zach Townsend of Pro Legal Care LLC has served as a GAL in both Winnebago County and Boone County, IL court proceedings. As both a GAL and an attorney who has represented hundreds of parents in cases with GAL disputes, Attorney Townsend makes the following recommendations to all of his clients.

  1. Treat the Guardian ad Litem with respect. Speak to the GAL and their office staff as if you are speaking directly to the judge.
  2. Cooperate with the GAL investigation. Be responsive and communicative with your child’s GAL.
  3. Show, don’t tell. Rather than calling your opposing party a liar, provide evidence of times they have been untruthful. Instead of claiming the other parent “never” follows the Parenting Plan, show the GAL your calendar where you have documented each time the other parent failed to appear for their scheduled time.
  4. Do not coach your child. Your GAL is very experienced in this work and can immediately recognize if you are using your child to influence the investigation. Coaching a child in a child custody matter will reflect very negatively on you in the court system.

If my case has a Guardian ad Litem, do I need my own attorney?

The GAL in your case does not represent you and will not advocate for your interests, they represent your child’s best interests. If you feel like you need an advocate to help ensure that the final decision in your case will protect you and your family, you may want to retain a private attorney to represent you, though it is not required.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation with Attorney Zach Townsend and his staff at Pro Legal Care LLC, please reach out to us by text or phone at (815) 200-8802 so that we can help you find a new path forward.

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Custody emergency?

We take great pride in being responsive and easy to reach when your family is experiencing an emergency. We have same-day emergency appointments available. Learn more about how we can help with your emergency custody situation at this link or call or text us at (815) 200-8802.

Need legal advice? How can we help?

Google Rating
4.5
Pro Legal Care LLC
4.5
Lisa Lovelace
Lisa Lovelace
00:07 22 Nov 17
Zach is AMAZING! He cares about the client and most of all the children. Treats clients like family. Jeanie his assistant is so helpful and spot on. Zach is never late to court and always returns calls even on weekends. He is also reasonably priced. I can't recommend Pro Legal Care LLC enough for all your legal needs!!!!
Dustin Harvey
Dustin Harvey
20:34 06 Dec 17
Zach is attentive, compassionate, and all around a great guy. He keeps an open line of communication and is very easy to contact. I'm very greatful for his hard work and will continue to use Zach as my family attorney.
Esmeralda Martinez
Esmeralda Martinez
12:59 27 Oct 17
Zach is an amazing attorney, that goes above and beyond for his clients. I always refer him to family and friends.
Alison gratz
Alison gratz
16:15 30 Nov 16
I worked with Zach Townsend to obtain an order of protection for domestic abuse and won my case. My favorite part about this process as it was very emotionally confusing for me was that Zach was not only sensitive to my situation, but he helped prepare me for all the different scenarios that may transpire. I gave him explicit personal details and messages as evidence and we went through it together. He described to me what kind of questions I may be challenged with if I were to take the witness stand and how to respond honestly, but also knowing that those questions may not be in my favor and insensitive to me as a person and how not to destroy my credibility by becoming offended. He did role playing with me to show me what he meant. We determined different avenues to go about preparing evidence: messages, asking for video footage from where the incident took place, subpoenaing a witness, etc. to make sure we were organized and in the best place to win. He pulled my respondent into a conference before the trial to offer him a plea and he took it. I was able to walk away with a two year order of protection due to his representation and am very happy with his services. He also made me a copy of all documentation and e-mailed me my order to have an electronic copy with myself at all times and gave me more pointers on how to remain safe and what to do if the order is violated. I highly recommend him to anyone.
Cherish Schwartz
Cherish Schwartz
20:21 05 Sep 16
Zachary Townsend has been my lawyer for over a year since I first met him asking for help. He will listen to the problems, review evidence thoroughly, give you the best advice he can & he will do everything possible in court so it's a fair hearing/trial. He is worth every penny hiring him. He keeps his clients updated on everything, he is always a phone call/text message away & he truly cares for his clients seeking justice. He in my opinion is the BEST lawyer you can have. Don't look any father if you need a lawyer, call him & set up an appointment if you're needing legal advice/representation for anything!!!
Xzena Rodriguez
Xzena Rodriguez
19:08 19 Jan 18
Very helpful very organized and very satisfied.will use him again.ty
Cecelia Hendrickson
Cecelia Hendrickson
01:22 30 Jan 18
Attorney Zack is awesome.He handled a case for my son a few years ago.Hes kind,patient,a good listener .And a friend.He always treated us with respect.Always was available.I highly recommend Attorney Zack Townsend.
Amanda Fitch
Amanda Fitch
19:37 28 Mar 18
Attorney Davies with Pro Legal Care is dedicated to providing clients with outstanding representation. Attorney Davies is thorough, responsive, and effective. Not only did Attorney Davies save me time and money, but also achieved the best possible outcome for my case. I highly recommend Attorney Davies and Pro Legal Care!
Brittney Walker
Brittney Walker
17:30 16 May 18
Zach Townsend has been easy to reach and when things are hitting the fan and he is right there making sure things are done right and very fair
Raneem Shamseldin
Raneem Shamseldin
22:40 25 May 18
Zachary has been my attorney for a variety of needs for over 5 years. He has always done a great job in my defense and given me the results I was looking for. Pro Legal Care is a great team and always puts clients first.
Jeremy Petersen
Jeremy Petersen
17:51 22 Jul 18
I want to thank you Mr. Zack for helping me in my legal matter. I came from out of state and he did a great job with just one court appearance. I strongly recommend pro legal care and zack as a lawyer. He is very fair and affordable.
Sarah Devey
Sarah Devey
23:08 14 Aug 18
I can not thank Zach enough for what he has done for me and bringing my son home I will forever be greatful I will always highly recommend Pro legal care and Zachary THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING MY VOICE
Jeffrey Titus
Jeffrey Titus
22:37 05 Sep 18
Zach is a great guy. Very smart. He can do just about anything
Cristian Mayer
Cristian Mayer
17:49 09 Oct 18
Zach Townsend is an amazing lawyer i am glad I hired him to help me with my case
Linda Gurley
Linda Gurley
17:36 13 Nov 18
Zak did a GREAT job with my divorcé and was very professional and very respectful. I would reccomend him to anyone looking for an attorney!
Lee Rodewald
Lee Rodewald
20:53 26 Nov 18
Zach is highly knowledgeable on wills. Would recommend to all.
Jared C
Jared C
15:36 27 Oct 18
Had an appointment scheduled the day after first call, and had an answer to my legal inquiries the same week. Thanks again!
Nathan Shugart
Nathan Shugart
15:58 06 Dec 18
Attorney Austin Davies is very knowledgeable, and can be trusted to represent your best interests as a client. I highly recommend him and Pro Legal Care!
Brandon Swenson
Brandon Swenson
18:44 10 Dec 18
Had great experience with Mr. Townsend got everything done in very professional manner.
domerchi1
domerchi1
17:37 18 Dec 18
Awesome service! Zachary and the team helped me out immensely when my father got sick and I had to take care of his legal problems while he was in the hospital. I was feeling overwhelmed, and they walked me through the process every step of the way. They really made sure my family was taken care of. I can’t say enough about well I was treated!
Shawn Hinrichs
Shawn Hinrichs
20:38 21 Dec 18
The Dynamic Duo, otherwise known as Zach and Austin, made my divorce so easy! Highly recommend these men for all your legal troubles.
Doug Shaw
Doug Shaw
20:57 27 Dec 18
Zach and his team were awesome to work with. He took time to explain everything, gave us realistic timeline expectations, communicated every step of the way, and never made us hound him for an answer. Other lawyers ignore you and make it hard to contact them, but Pro Legal Care's team communicates every step of the way and are there to answer all of your questions. Our adoption was done just as he said and met the timeline that he gave. Zach's knowledge of the legal world was exceptional and I would definitely recommend him and his team for your legal needs!
Geri Scharwath
Geri Scharwath
20:53 03 Jan 19
He is a great Attorney and I appreciate everything he did! He helped me very much and got me exactly what I wanted.
Amy Chatfield
Amy Chatfield
15:40 09 Jan 19
Zach and Austin are both incredibly knowledgable and compassionate. They were patient in answering all of my questions and aiding me in a time of need. It's very obvious that they are not motivated by cashing in on their clients. They genuinely care about each case and making sure their clients are informed. 10/10 highly recommend!
jason fox
jason fox
01:24 18 Jan 19
Great straight forward friendly professional service. From day one till the end was perfect. Thank you to everyone in the office.
Nate Gyllin
Nate Gyllin
22:45 18 Mar 19
Austin D., and Zach did a amazing time, with my case. Erin T. Always made sure I knew I had court. Very professional, , blunt and to the point. Would definitely recommend to anyone out there. Took the time to review my case and stepped up and took ahold of my situation. Thanks guys and Erin. Nate G.
Staszek M
Staszek M
21:35 22 Apr 19
Zachary really helped me out today. I really appreciate his professional expertise.
Julie Swenson-Nelson
Julie Swenson-Nelson
14:14 01 May 19
Had a great experience with Zack and his team. Very professional and courteous. Would definitely recommend!
Valerie Carlson
Valerie Carlson
16:27 05 May 19
Zach is a very skilled & knowledgeable lawyer. He is very attentive to his clients’ needs & counsels based on their best interests in accordance with the law. He is very professional & reliable! I would recommend anyone to him that is seeking advice on their case!
Tracie Drake
Tracie Drake
15:22 17 Jul 19
I hired Zach based on a recommendation and I was not disappointed. While my custody case did last much longer than I would have liked I do realize that he only had so much control over that, and opposing counsel was a royal pain in the butt who caused most of the wasted time. He absolutely did his best to advocate for my son and I to achieve not only majority parenting time, but also to set boundaries that protect us from potential loopholes that could have been a major headache. He and his staff responded in a timely manner, answered when I needed them most, and pushed harder when things were getting too out of hand. I cannot thank Zach and his team enough (Erin I’m looking at you!) because they really did make my year. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I hope this review can help the next person looking for help and answers.
Bradley Cavins
Bradley Cavins
17:09 24 Jul 19
They were very helpful and knowledgeable. I’m thankful I found Zachary Townsend. Also, Erin was very helpful and always kept be updated.
Kelsi Getty
Kelsi Getty
21:49 01 Aug 19
Attorney Townsend is a wonderful attorney! Made my divorce quick and relatively painless, and put everything in language I could easily understand. 10/10 would recommend!
Annette Jennings
Annette Jennings
15:02 06 Aug 19
Mr. Townsend is very knowledgeable and friendly, would recommend to anyone for legal services.
Vernicka Williams
Vernicka Williams
16:50 07 Aug 19
Mr. Townsend Attorney helped me get the answered i needed to some important questions he was very respectful and knowledgable about my questiins i am very satisfied with his services and would recommend him at any given momnent for all legal issues
Jesse Fulmer
Jesse Fulmer
19:45 07 Aug 19
Great guy grew up with him helped me with a problem on his own time very much appreciated and very much recommend
JessicaN
JessicaN
13:27 23 Sep 19
Attorney Townsend and his team were consummate professionals. I was very satisfied with the high level of attention, care and respect I received from everyone in the office. I highly recommend their services.
Elizabeth Swanson
Elizabeth Swanson
15:39 15 Oct 19
I cant say enough awesome things about attorney townsend. He got me everything I wanted to my daughter. I cant say thank you enough zach.
Jessie Anderson
Jessie Anderson
15:05 08 Oct 19
Zach helped me to keep my kids safe! Very thankful
Matthew Burns
Matthew Burns
16:43 08 Nov 19
Zach and his firm are the only people I would ever trust to take care of myself and my family. When my father had his stroke he had every financial crisis you could think of. Zach walked me through everything and made the best of an incredibly overwhelming situation. If you need an attorney, you’ll be happy you called
Miss Stein
Miss Stein
20:34 26 Nov 19
He has helped our Fence company with all of our business matters, would recommend to anyone! Thanks Zachary!
ALVARO Ramirez
ALVARO Ramirez
20:37 26 Nov 19
Best lawyers in town outstanding people to work with totally worth it
becky woodrow
becky woodrow
22:41 14 Apr 20
If your in need of Legal Services, please give them a call. I can't boast enough about how wonderful their entire team is. From the front line to behind the scenes every single team member was so awesome. Keri Johnson represented me with a extremely delicate situation and she was amazing. She is very knowledgeable, personable and dedicated! She handled my case with professionalism and understanding. I can't boast enough about her and the entire team! Seriously check them out, if you ever find yourself in need of Legal Services, you won't regret it!
Camille Heilman
Camille Heilman
17:17 30 May 20
Thank you Pro Legal for all you help and being my eyes, ears and support system through one the most difficult season of my life. Zachary you helped save my life. You and your team are angels from above!!!
Tom   Gilman
Tom Gilman
23:55 10 Jun 20
My wife and I were finally able to make our dreams of being parents come true of adopting a child. Zachary Townsend was there every step of the way and made it a very painless process!! If I ever get the opportunity to adopt again Zachary will be my first choice of attorneys!!
John Martelin
John Martelin
17:45 16 Jun 20
I found attorneys Townsend and Johnson to both be very good and very professional. I worked more with Attorney Johnson in my case and I would even go as far to say that she was exceptional in the quality of her work. I’m very happy with the services they provided, as well as the outcome.
Yousif Qayssar
Yousif Qayssar
16:46 16 Jun 20
attorney townsend was good for me. good for my children. good for my family. If you got issues call towsend. very helpful.
Jacob Prouty
Jacob Prouty
21:47 03 Jul 20
Zachery townsend is a amazing lawyer, he deffinetly values his costumers and gets the job done efficiently and fast with amazing reaults.
Mrs Hickman
Mrs Hickman
01:02 01 Sep 20
Townsend and the entire firm rock. You will be very pleased with the service. Professional, understanding, efficient, calming, confident, and patient. I was pleased with the outcome. I felt like the whole team put themselves in my shoes. It was genuine heartfelt. Any doubts I had in the beginning were always reassured. Divorce matter quick & smooth. Very outstanding. Highly recommended! Zachary Townsend is great!
Brittany Mitchell
Brittany Mitchell
18:53 15 Jan 21
Hired Zach and his team for my divorce. They were all very professional and got everything done in a timely matter. Reassured me throughout my case that they would do everything they could so I could keep my dog and my personal assets. They are a great team to have.
Nessa Nguyen
Nessa Nguyen
05:41 23 Apr 21
I hired Townsend and his team for my divorce and I was very pleased! He walked me through everything and made sure I understood everything. Very professional Definitely recommend.
Ryan Hicks
Ryan Hicks
21:37 07 May 21
I can’t thank attorney Townsend and attorney Johnson enough for all their hard work the past year and a half. They worked with me on a payment plan, they always kept me in the loop, if I called to speak with them they either got on the phone immediately or I got a call back within hours. My case had ups and downs but they always remained optimistic and professional and delivered on everything I had hoped for. Not easy for a dad to get custody and they helped me get full custody with all decision making powers in all aspects. Highly recommend pro legal care!
Dana Marie
Dana Marie
15:11 28 May 21
I cannot rave about this law firm enough!! They all worked together very well to handle everything quickly and efficiently and walked me through every step of my case! I will definitely be using them in the future if needed!-
Tyler Mckee
Tyler Mckee
20:33 29 Oct 21
Best lawyer in the rockford are he went up and beyond my expectations its very hard for a father to get custody and I do thank you so much Zack you are amazing words can't describe how thankful I am for you and everything you've done I highly recommend
Garrett Lang
Garrett Lang
18:41 31 Oct 21
I could write a novel on all the good things about Zachary Townsend and the lawyer group! If it wasn't for Townsend my daughter would not be here today. Thank you so much you guys saved my daughter's life! I now Custody of my daughter because of this lawyer group I can't tell people enough how thankful I am for Townsend group I always tell people they need to use them when they have problems like I had! Townsend got me custody of my daughter very quickly with no stress he explained to me everything that was going to happen and what to do and everything he said was right on! Thank you guys so much! You have no idea how much I appreciate your hard work if you are reading through reviews and come across mine I highly recommend this lawyer group! I will never even think about looking for another lawyer ever again!
Alestorm5000
Alestorm5000
03:03 07 Nov 21
As a father, I have been through a few lawyers in getting custody of my son. Some more affordable than others. But they pale in comparison to Zach and his team. They got things done quickly and efficiently in a few months what other lawyers would have dragged out for a year, as well as handling every request I had, regardless of how odd it seemed or how unusual it was. If you want a lawyer on your side, I fully recommend them. Other lawyers might have lesser rates, but they will drag their feet when it comes time to finish up with court, costing you far more time and money in the long run. My only regret is that I didn't hire them years ago. If you need a lawyer, you should hire them. You won't regret it.
John McCutcheon
John McCutcheon
14:28 09 Dec 21
Hands down one of the best law firms in the Rockford area. I have had Zack and his team on my side for countless occasions. I couldn’t ask for a better attorney to represent me on the custody battle I have had to go through and still am. I highly recommend them to be your legal representative highly knowledgeable and fights for everything you want. I thank you Zack and the team…
courtney parks
courtney parks
15:53 10 Dec 21
Attorney Townsend fought for our the adoption of our daughter and we won. The best results and the best service we could have asked for. Incredibly professional and timely. We are forever grateful for what he and his team were able to achieve for our family.
Sean Bond
Sean Bond
15:56 10 Dec 21
The entire team at Pro Legal Care was very helpful and efficient in getting our adoption approved. We were so impressed with their office. They achieved the best possible outcome in our case.
Chyanne Cotey
Chyanne Cotey
03:38 13 Jan 22
I would and have been recommending attorney Townsend to everyone I know. He’s is extremely knowledgeable and won’t give up. Most of all, he cares! Out of the lawyers I’ve had in the past, I would give him 10 stars if I could. Thank you so much for what you do Mr. Townsend. :)
Kevin McLoughlin
Kevin McLoughlin
20:43 14 Apr 22
I honestly felt as if I was treated as their most important client. No matter your issue, reach out to Attorney Townsend first for advice. He will not steer you wrong and is 100% dependable. Beyond satisfied with the quality of service from everyone on the team. Thank you Attorney Townsend
Jonah Nunez
Jonah Nunez
17:23 23 May 22
Attorney Townsend has helped my family with all of our legal needs over the past few years. The whole team has been incredibly helpful and Attorney Townsend got us everything we had hoped for. I have and will continue to recommend Pro Legal Care.
Chris Mccollom
Chris Mccollom
12:48 15 Jun 22
We used Attorney Townsend for a custody battle and he was great. We gained full custody and every step of the way Attorney Townsend was there for us and always concerned and attentive to our family. Him and his legal team kept us in the loop at all times and worked vigorously to get us the outcome we wanted and deserved. I recommend Attorney Townsend and Pro Legal Care LLC.
Shae Edler
Shae Edler
00:18 30 Jun 22
My husband and I hired Attorney Zach Townsend represent us in an adoption case. Throughout the entire process, his office maintained a clear line of communication. They let us know what to expect from start to finish. Any question that we had they answered. I’m thankful to have found his office and I’m grateful to the office for helping with the adoption and making our family ‘legally’ complete.
K H
K H
00:43 08 Aug 22
My experience with this legal team was great! I hired them for a relative of mine and they did a great job! It only cost half of what I originally paid them. They returned the other half to me. I would recommend them.
Jessie Miles
Jessie Miles
14:58 19 Aug 22
I highly recommend due to the efficient, fast work done with this business. Our attorney and his staff were great with communication. Thank you!
ryan beaver
ryan beaver
20:21 06 Sep 22
Zachary Townsend and his Team did an amazing job handling my case. He is extremely knowledgeable, professional, honest and truly cares about his clients. I was always kept informed, walked through everything that was happening, reached out to before each court date to make sure I understood everything that was going on. Thank you so much for providing excellent legal care and leading us to the outcome we were hoping for. I will, without a doubt remain with this firm for any legal issues in the future.
Lisa Zeimetz
Lisa Zeimetz
22:47 28 Oct 22
I wanted an attorney that was fair and pragmatic. I wanted someone that would respect a very long marriage and despite some strong emotions, provide guidance in a manner that made you feel like a good human at the end of it all. Divorce is never easy but it is "easier" if you have someone that is in your corner that helps you maintain your integrity. Mr. Townsend and team were very much there to help me accomplish that. Attorney Townsend allowed me to protect myself while maintaining the ability to do the right thing.
Cheryl Saunders
Cheryl Saunders
15:08 21 Oct 22
I had some issues concerning my previous employer and I called and spoke with Mark who is the practice manager of the firm. He was so kind and gave me a referral to someone that may be able to help me. He took the time to listen to my concerns even though this wasn't their area of practice. I wish there were more people like him. I definitely think I would have been a good hands had I been able to go with this firm. Thank you Mark
Stephanie Lowery
Stephanie Lowery
19:15 27 Feb 23
Wish 10 stars is an option. We had an issue obtaining a certified marriage license in Florida, the county could not locate it. Contacted Pro Legal Care in Illinois. (Where we reside) They contacted us in 30 min. and Yavonne was able to assist us with our next steps She was able to order it on a Friday and we had it in our mailbox Monday afternoon. Thank you Pro Legal Care for the fast response and navigating state laws to be sure our 26 years of marriage does exist. :-)
Kristina Picasso
Kristina Picasso
12:00 28 Apr 23
Mr. TOWNSEND has been a Phenomenal truly compassionate, knowledgeable, empathetic, and Justice fighting lawyer. If you want to choose anyone to represent you in any case Mr Townsend will go to bat for you. He has shown and proven to me time and time again of his dependability and his demand for people to be accountable for their actions. No words can express how grateful I am for being able to say I am represented by pro-legal care by Mr Townsend thank you and to all his staff as well for being so thorough and always explaining everything so thoroughly and being easily accessible which is vital when needing attorney representation.
Kyra N
Kyra N
20:43 24 Mar 23
I highly recommend Pro Legal Care LLC for all of your legal needs. Attorney Townsend and his team of legal and administrative professionals helped me when I was in an emergency situation, leading to a quick resolution and divorce. Attorney Townsend is very reasonable, honest, patient, and truly cares about helping his clients. He walked me through every step of the way and made sure that every single one of my concerns were understood and addressed. In addition, Yavonne and Marc were extremely helpful and kind throughout the process. Thank you all so much for your efforts and work, I am so grateful.
Emilio Opengo
Emilio Opengo
19:30 15 Apr 23
Hands down the best team I've had in my corner. They've gone above and beyond to help me as well as going out of their way to keep me informed and making sure I know exactly what's going on in every aspect of these proceedings. I have gained custody of my children thanks to zach and his team. I highly recommend pro legal care for your family cases.
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Pro Legal Care LLC - Rockford Office
C/O Zachary Townsend, Esquire
405 W. State Street
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 200-8802

Pro Legal Care LLC - Freeport Office
C/O Zachary Townsend, Esquire
223 S Chicago Ave, Suite 5
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 200-8802

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No contents on this website are for the purpose of legal advice, and no interaction with this website or with any email therein shall constitute the creation of attorney-client relationship. It is not the intent of this website, or any page thereof, to provide you with specific advice regarding your case. Pro Legal Care LLC has included only general information on this website, and you should not rely on the information contained in this website without consulting an attorney to address the specific facts of your case. Each case has a unique set of facts, and every case is different.

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