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Cynthia L. Lazar
Divorce and Family Law Support in Lake County
Serving Lake County, Illinois including Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Grayslake, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lindenhurst,
Long Grove, Mundelein, Riverwoods, Round Lake, Tower Lakes,
Vernon Hills and Waukegan.
My practice involves all areas of family law, including pre-petition issues concerning family and domestic violence and emergency support. Post-petition issues include changed circumstances affecting support and parenting. As a lawyer focusing primarily on family law, I address issues involving:
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support and health care expenses
- Temporary and permanent spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods
- Adoptions and determination of paternity
- Legal separation and annulment
View our Family Law FAQs
Family law is, above all else, about families. Whatever label is put on the case, at the heart of every family law matter there is a family. “Families” may no longer be seen as needing a marriage license or two parents of the opposite sex; they all still share the same bonds that have always created a family relationship. An experienced family law support lawyer knows the outcome will affect the most basic, and most important, of all human relationships: husband and wife, and parent and child. The parties involved in a family law matter will find themselves experiencing the full range of emotions, from sadness, anger, and bitterness to fear for the future. A family law matter can be emotionally draining, especially if children are concerned. The mixture of emotions adds a special dimension to family law that is not present in other areas. Your family law attorney should be aware of all of these issues.
I know all of the dynamics of a family law case. I know when to settle cases—I am a certified family law and divorce mediator—and I know when and how to pursue cases to the maximum level. I will find the right approach to use in handling your case. Contact me for a consultation, to learn how I can help you.
Mediation
What is Mediation?
You are probably familiar with the traditional approach whereby each spouse retains an attorney. The attorneys prepare to negotiate or to litigate your case. If negotiated, the lawyers negotiate with one another, ideally, keeping their clients in the loop as negotiations proceed. If the negotiations are unsuccessful, then the case is litigated and the marital estate is depleted by the cost of the litigation.
By contrast, in mediation, you negotiate directly with your spouse with the assistance of a trained mediator who brings creative thinking and innovative solutions to your case.
How can you mediate when you can’t communicate with one another?
The most common question asked is, "How can I mediate when I have these negative feelings toward my spouse?" A skilled mediation attorney is specially trained and within the mediation session the mediator keeps the focus on identifying immediate and long term needs. The mediator helps you to examine your individual goals and interests, and is a neutral who hears from both spouses. The mediation attorney works with you to help you develop your own plan of action.
Why should I attempt mediation instead of litigation?
Psychologists tell us that children suffer when divorcing parents expose the children to continuing, high level, parental conflict. Children suffer in both their short and long term adjustment. Litigation can, and usually does, escalate the level of animosity between the parents and the level of conflict rises. Mediation helps parents focus their energy on problem solving. Also, the cost of a mediated divorce is often a fraction of the cost of a contested or litigated divorce. In a mediated divorce you will still retain a lawyer, however, that lawyer’s role is as a consultant, not a litigator. During mediation, you are encouraged to meet with your attorney to review issues that need to be addressed in the mediation. Again, divorce mediation is not for everyone; however, I encourage you to consider this option.
Contact mediation attorney Cynthia Lazar for a consultation today.
The Law Office of Cynthia L. Lazar
611 S. Milwaukee Avenue
Suite 12
Libertyville, IL 60048
phone: 847-680-8520
fax: 847-680-8580
e-mail
