The 8 Best Divorce Lawyers in Chicago (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 8 firms · Illinois law

The best divorce lawyers in Chicago in 2026 include Beermann LLP, SDF Law, Berger Schatz and Grund & Leavitt among the established family law firms, Davis Friedman for high net worth and LGBTQ family matters, Katz & Stefani for specific issues such as collaborative divorce, Masters Law Group for international custody, and O'Flaherty Law for clients in the suburbs.

The list at a glance

Firm	Office	Focus	Best for
1. Beermann LLP	The Loop	Divorce, high net worth divorce	Business owners and complex finances
2. SDF Law (Schiller DuCanto & Fleck)	River North	Divorce and family law	Clients across the city and collar counties
3. Berger Schatz	The Loop	Matrimonial and family law	Complex or high-conflict matters
4. Grund & Leavitt	River North	Divorce and family law	North Side and North Shore clients
5. Davis Friedman	The Loop	High net worth divorce, LGBTQ family law	Complex assets, same-sex couples and non-biological parents
6. Katz & Stefani	The Loop	Collaborative divorce, custody, prenups	Couples seeking a less adversarial process, or with a religious divorce question
7. Masters Law Group	Oak Brook, Lombard & Elmhurst	Hague Convention, complex custody	International custody and child abduction
8. O'Flaherty Law	Naperville & Lisle	Family law, plus estates and business	Suburban clients and those with several legal needs

Most of Chicago's best-known divorce firms do only family law, and many have offices in the suburbs as well as the Loop. Cost is driven far more by how much you and your spouse fight than by the firm's hourly rate, so ask early about mediation or a collaborative process if you can stay civil. If there are significant assets or a business, the firm's experience with valuation matters as much as its courtroom experience.

1. Beermann LLP — The Loop

A long-established firm with separate tracks for business owners and high net worth clients.

Focus Divorce, high net worth divorceBest for Business owners and complex finances

Beermann says it has practiced family law since 1958, with an office on North Clark Street and another in Bannockburn. Its site has dedicated sections for men's and women's divorce, divorce for business owners, high net worth divorce and legal separation, along with a podcast and videos on the process.

Good to know: If you own a company, ask how the firm works with valuation experts.

161 N Clark St, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60601

Firm profile 312-621-9700 Website Google Maps

2. SDF Law (Schiller DuCanto & Fleck) — River North

Family law firm with Chicago, Lake Forest and Wheaton offices.

Focus Divorce and family lawBest for Clients across the city and collar counties

SDF Law, the firm known as Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, says it has provided family law services since 1981. Its Lake Forest and Wheaton offices make it practical if your case will be heard in Lake or DuPage County rather than Cook.

Good to know: Its site has articles on depositions and hidden assets worth reading before a first meeting.

321 N Clark St, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60654

Firm profile 312-641-5560 Website Google Maps

3. Berger Schatz — The Loop

Says it is one of the largest family-law-only firms in the country.

Focus Matrimonial and family lawBest for Complex or high-conflict matters

Berger Schatz describes itself as among the largest firms in the nation dedicated exclusively to family law, with offices on North Clark Street and in Lake Forest. A family-law-only firm suits cases that may turn on several issues at once, such as custody, support and property.

Good to know: A large firm has lawyers at many rates. Ask whether an associate can do part of the work.

161 N Clark St, Suite 3300, Chicago, IL 60601

Firm profile 312-782-3456 Website Google Maps

4. Grund & Leavitt — River North

Family law firm based near the Gold Coast.

Focus Divorce and family lawBest for North Side and North Shore clients

Grund & Leavitt focuses on divorce and family law from its North Dearborn Street office, with further offices in Highland Park and Oak Brook. It says its aim is to ease the process of divorce for its clients while representing them firmly.

Good to know: Its North Dearborn office is outside the Loop, so ask about parking and meeting options.

812 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610

Firm profile 312-640-0500 Website Google Maps

5. Davis Friedman — The Loop

Detailed practice list, including LGBTQ family law and non-biological parents' rights.

Focus High net worth divorce, LGBTQ family lawBest for Complex assets, same-sex couples and non-biological parents

Davis Friedman lists complex high net worth divorce, contested divorce, post-divorce disputes and prenuptial agreements, along with LGBTQ family law and the rights of non-biological parents. It has offices on South LaSalle Street and in Northbrook.

Good to know: If parentage is an issue, ask about it up front, since rules for non-biological parents are specific.

135 S LaSalle St, 36th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603

Firm profile 312-782-2220 Website Google Maps

6. Katz & Stefani — The Loop

Unusually specific practice list, including collaborative and Jewish divorce.

Focus Collaborative divorce, custody, prenupsBest for Couples seeking a less adversarial process, or with a religious divorce question

Katz & Stefani lists collaborative divorce, cohabitation agreements, grandparents' rights, Jewish divorce, paternity, relocation and enforcement, along with custody and support. It has offices on North LaSalle Street and in Bannockburn.

Good to know: Collaborative divorce requires both spouses to hire collaborative lawyers. Ask how that would work for you.

222 N LaSalle St, Suite 2150, Chicago, IL 60601

Firm profile 312-364-9000 Website Google Maps

7. Masters Law Group — Oak Brook, Lombard & Elmhurst

The specialist option when a case crosses borders.

Focus Hague Convention, complex custodyBest for International custody and child abduction

Masters Law Group handles complex divorce and custody cases, and international child abduction under the Hague Convention. It has offices in Oak Brook, Chicago and La Jolla, California, and also offers divorce mediation.

Good to know: Hague cases move quickly, so call as soon as you know a child has been taken or kept abroad.

1900 Spring Rd, Suite 530, Oak Brook, IL 60523

Firm profile 312-609-1700 Website Google Maps

8. O'Flaherty Law — Naperville & Lisle

A multi-office general practice for suburban and downstate clients.

Focus Family law, plus estates and businessBest for Suburban clients and those with several legal needs

O'Flaherty Law is based in Naperville with other Illinois offices and a downtown Chicago location. Family law sits alongside estate planning, probate, business and real estate, which helps when a divorce also requires a new will or a change to a business.

Good to know: After a divorce, update your will and beneficiary forms. Ask if the firm can handle both.

1515 Legacy Cir, Suite 1A, Naperville, IL 60563

Firm profile 630-324-6666 Website Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

What are the requirements to get divorced in Illinois?

One spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days, although you can file sooner and the judge can't grant the divorce until the 90th day. The only ground is irreconcilable differences, and living apart for six months creates a presumption that this requirement is met. See Illinois Legal Aid Online's divorce FAQ.

Is Illinois a no-fault divorce state?

Yes. Irreconcilable differences is the only ground, so you don't have to prove wrongdoing. Spouses can even live in the same home during the separation period, as long as they aren't living together as spouses.

What does Illinois call child custody now?

Illinois law uses "allocation of parental responsibilities", which covers decision-making and parenting time. Parents generally must file a proposed parenting plan within 120 days, and parents who disagree are usually sent to mediation.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Chicago?

Family lawyers usually charge by the hour against a retainer paid up front. Rates vary widely across firms, so ask for the retainer amount, each lawyer's rate, and how often you'll be billed. An uncontested case costs far less than one that goes to trial.

Before you hire a lawyer in Chicago

Check the license. The Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) shows whether a lawyer is licensed in Illinois and authorized to practice, along with any public disciplinary history and whether they report carrying malpractice insurance. It is free and takes a minute.

Need a referral?

Chicago Bar Association lawyer referral: the city bar's service for finding a lawyer by legal issue.
Illinois State Bar Association lawyer finder: the statewide bar's referral service.

Can't afford a lawyer?

CARPLS legal hotline: free legal advice for Chicago-area residents by phone at 312-738-9200.
Illinois Legal Aid Online: free plain-language guides, forms and referrals for all of Illinois.

Top Lawyer USA is not a law firm. Nothing here is legal advice, and contacting a firm through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines and rules change and depend on your facts, so confirm them with a licensed lawyer.

The list at a glance

1. Beermann LLP — The Loop

2. SDF Law (Schiller DuCanto & Fleck) — River North

3. Berger Schatz — The Loop

4. Grund & Leavitt — River North

5. Davis Friedman — The Loop

6. Katz & Stefani — The Loop

7. Masters Law Group — Oak Brook, Lombard & Elmhurst

8. O'Flaherty Law — Naperville & Lisle

Frequently asked questions

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