The best child custody lawyers in Chicago in 2026 include Katz & Stefani for custody, relocation and grandparents' rights, Davis Friedman for non-biological parents' rights, Masters Law Group for international custody, Beermann LLP and Grund & Leavitt among established family law firms, and O'Flaherty Law for suburban cases.
| Firm | Office | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Katz & Stefani | The Loop | Custody, relocation, grandparents' rights | Parents and grandparents with a specific issue |
| 2. Davis Friedman | The Loop | Custody and non-biological parents' rights | Same-sex parents and non-biological parents |
| 3. Masters Law Group | Oak Brook, Lombard & Elmhurst | International custody, Hague Convention | A child taken or kept across borders |
| 4. Beermann LLP | The Loop | Parenting allocation, relocation, appeals | High-conflict or complex custody |
| 5. Grund & Leavitt | River North | Custody and parental responsibilities | North Side and North Shore parents |
| 6. O'Flaherty Law | Naperville & Lisle | Family law, multiple Illinois offices | Suburban parents |
Illinois law no longer uses the word custody in its statute. It speaks of the allocation of parental responsibilities, which covers both decision-making and parenting time. Judges decide by the child's best interests. Most parents are sent to mediation if they disagree, so a lawyer who is good at settling is often as valuable as one who is good in court.
One of the most specific custody-related lists in Chicago.
Katz & Stefani has separate practice pages on child custody, support, grandparents' rights, paternity, relocation and enforcement. It also has a Bannockburn office for North Shore families.
Good to know: Bring any existing order so the lawyer knows exactly what can be changed.
222 N LaSalle St, Suite 2150, Chicago, IL 60601
Names non-biological parents' rights directly.
Davis Friedman lists child custody and the rights of non-biological parents, as well as LGBTQ family law. Those cases can turn on technical questions of parentage, so naming them is a good sign.
Good to know: Bring any adoption or parentage documents.
135 S LaSalle St, 36th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603
International child abduction under the Hague Convention.
Masters Law Group handles complex custody and relocation, and Hague Convention international child abduction cases. It has offices in Oak Brook, Chicago and La Jolla.
Good to know: These cases are urgent. Call right away and have passports and travel details ready.
1900 Spring Rd, Suite 530, Oak Brook, IL 60523
A large family law firm that lists custody disputes and appeals.
Beermann lists child custody, relocation, child support and appeals, as well as same-sex child custody disputes. It explains that the length of a case depends on how many parenting issues the parties can agree on.
Good to know: Keep a calendar of actual parenting time, since it's useful evidence.
161 N Clark St, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60601
Family law firm with a custody practice page.
Grund & Leavitt lists custody and parental rights and responsibilities alongside maintenance, child support and premarital agreements, with offices on North Dearborn Street, in Highland Park and in Oak Brook.
Good to know: Avoid discussing the case in front of your children. It can come up later.
812 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610
A practical choice for DuPage, Will and other suburban counties.
O'Flaherty Law is based in Naperville with several other offices, so it can suit a parent whose case will be in a suburban courthouse. It also handles estate planning, which can matter after a change in custody.
Good to know: Confirm the lawyer regularly appears in your county.
1515 Legacy Cir, Suite 1A, Naperville, IL 60563
By the child's best interests. Parents generally must file a proposed parenting plan within 120 days of a petition, and parents who disagree are generally sent to mediation. Illinois Legal Aid Online explains the process in its guide to divorce and parental responsibilities.
Parental responsibilities means decision-making about education, health, religion and activities. Parenting time means the schedule for when the child is with each parent. They're decided separately, and one parent may have more of one than the other.
Not without following the relocation rules if you have a majority or equal parenting time. You usually need written notice and either the other parent's agreement or court approval. Talk to a lawyer before you make plans.
Sometimes. Illinois allows grandparents and certain other relatives to seek visitation in limited situations, usually where a parent has unreasonably denied it and the child has been harmed. Katz & Stefani lists grandparents' rights as a practice area.