Law Office of Denise M. Kuzniewski

The Law Office of Denise M. Kuzniewski, located at 3922 Main St, McHenry, IL 60050, USA, serves the local community as a dedicated legal practice with a primary focus on family law. For those searching for "Lawyers Near Me" to navigate complex and sensitive family-related legal issues, this firm presents itself as a long-standing option with over 30 years of experience in McHenry County law.

The environment at the Law Office of Denise M. Kuzniewski is designed to provide personalized and individualized representation. As a sole practitioner firm, the aim is to ensure that clients receive direct and consistent attention from Denise M. Kuzniewski herself. This approach is intended to foster a close working relationship, allowing the attorney to be intimately familiar with the details of each case and provide tailored advice. The firm emphasizes accessibility in communication, striving for prompt responses to client questions and concerns. The professional setting is complemented by the support staff, with mentions of assistants like Josh, who work behind the scenes to manage case details and ensure clients are well-prepared for proceedings.

The services provided by the Law Office of Denise M. Kuzniewski are comprehensive within the realm of family law. Their practice areas include:

• Divorce: The firm assists clients through all stages of the divorce process, whether contested or uncontested. This includes handling the initial process of starting a divorce, addressing asset and debt division, spousal support (maintenance), and temporary relief measures.

• Child Support and Child-Related Expenses: They provide legal guidance and representation concerning child support obligations and the allocation of child-related expenses, aiming to ensure fair and legally compliant arrangements for the children's well-being.

• Allocation of Parental Responsibilities / Child Custody: A crucial aspect of family law, the firm helps clients navigate matters related to the allocation of parental responsibilities, formerly known as child custody. This includes decision-making authority regarding education, healthcare, and religious upbringing, as well as parenting time schedules.

• Parentage Matters: For unmarried parents, the firm assists in establishing parentage, which is essential for determining parental rights, responsibilities, and support obligations.

• Orders of Protection: The firm represents individuals seeking or defending against orders of protection, which are legal measures designed to safeguard individuals from abuse or harassment.

• Adoption and Guardianship: They handle legal procedures for adoption and guardianship, assisting families through the process of legally establishing parental or guardianship relationships.

• Juvenile Cases: Leveraging experience gained from working with the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office in juvenile court, the firm also handles juvenile cases, including juvenile abuse, neglect, and delinquency matters, and has handled successful DCFS appeals.

• Modification and Relocation: Post-judgment, the firm assists with modifications to existing divorce decrees, child support orders, or parental responsibility agreements, as well as handling cases involving the relocation of a parent and child.

• Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Appointments: Based on her extensive experience with cases involving children and required training, Denise M. Kuzniewski is often appointed by the courts as a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL). In this role, she represents the children's best interests in contested custody, visitation, or abuse/neglect cases. This involves investigation, interviewing parties, assessing the children's needs, and making recommendations to the court, sometimes including testifying at trial.

A key feature of the Law Office of Denise M. Kuzniewski is the extensive experience of Denise M. Kuzniewski herself. With over 30 years of legal practice in McHenry County, she brings a deep understanding of local court procedures and practices, which can be a significant advantage in navigating the legal system efficiently. Her career began at the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office in juvenile court, providing her with a unique insight into child-related legal issues. This background, coupled with years in private practice focused on family law, has equipped her with considerable experience in both negotiation and litigation.

The firm aims to assess each case personally to determine if a favorable result can be achieved through negotiation and settlement, thereby avoiding lengthy and contested litigation. However, when trial is necessary, Denise M. Kuzniewski has handled hundreds of contested hearings and trials involving both child-related and financial issues, including complex financial matters and highly contested custody cases. This dual capacity for both swift resolution through negotiation and zealous advocacy in court is presented as a significant benefit to clients.

Client reviews, however, present a mixed picture. One positive testimonial highlights the firm's efficiency and professionalism, stating that Denise and her firm are "the best around" and that she "got more done for me in 3 months than my previous attorney had in over a year and a half." This client also praised her and her team, including Josh, for being "professional, punctual, and well known/respected by her peers." This suggests that for some clients, the firm delivers prompt and effective results, earning high praise for their service.

Conversely, another review raises serious concerns, particularly regarding Denise M. Kuzniewski's role as a Guardian Ad Litem. This review alleges bias, laziness, and a tendency to "drag things out as long as she can to make more money." Specific points of contention include a nine-month delay in filing a GAL report, limited contact with the children (three times in nine months, with only one brief surprise home visit), and an alleged favoritism towards one parent, exemplified by only inviting one parent to bring the children to the office. The reviewer also expresses concern about the children's discomfort with Ms. Kuzniewski and the significant fee charged for a seemingly rushed report. These criticisms point to potential issues with communication, transparency, and perceived fairness in her GAL role, which are critical for an attorney representing children's best interests.

This dichotomy in client experiences suggests that while some clients find the firm highly effective and praise their responsiveness, others have had significantly negative experiences, particularly concerning the GAL role, raising questions about timelines, client interaction, and impartiality. Potential clients searching for "Lawyers Near Me" would need to consider these varying perspectives and potentially seek further information or clarification regarding specific service expectations, especially concerning GAL appointments.

For inquiries, the Law Office of Denise M. Kuzniewski can be reached at (815) 363-6060 or +1 815-363-6060. The office is located at 3922 Main St, McHenry, IL 60050, USA. Operating hours are generally Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The firm's long-standing presence in McHenry County and its focus on family law indicate a deep familiarity with the local legal landscape, which can be an advantage for clients navigating family law issues in the area.