The Child & Family Law Center

For families and children across Illinois, navigating complex legal issues can be an overwhelming and often emotional experience. Whether it's advocating for a child's educational rights, addressing delicate custody matters, or dealing with juvenile legal challenges, having a dedicated and knowledgeable legal partner is absolutely crucial. The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore stands as a beacon of support and expertise in Highland Park, Illinois, focusing specifically on the unique legal needs of children, teens, and their families throughout the state.

Founded by Mary "Micki" Moran, this firm operates on the philosophy that children and their families often require a multi-disciplinary approach to intervention. They are committed to providing effective and capable legal advice and representation in a variety of practice areas, ensuring that the best interests of the child are always at the forefront. For local users in Illinois, The Child & Family Law Center offers not just legal services, but a comprehensive and compassionate approach to resolving sensitive family and juvenile legal matters.

Conveniently situated in Highland Park, Illinois, The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore provides easily accessible legal services for clients across Northern Illinois, including Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, and Will counties. Their primary office is located at 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035, USA. This central location within a well-regarded North Shore community ensures that families can reach the firm with minimal hassle, particularly during what can be emotionally taxing times.

Highland Park offers a supportive environment, and the office on Central Avenue is strategically placed to be easily reachable. It is likely near various transportation options and offers reasonable parking, contributing to a stress-free visit for clients. In addition to their main office, The Child & Family Law Center also maintains a branch office in Lisle, Illinois, where attorneys Micki Moran and Joe Scally meet with clients by appointment. This extended reach further enhances accessibility for families throughout Illinois, allowing them to receive specialized legal assistance closer to home. The firm prioritizes making consultations available by appointment and can even arrange telephone consultations for added convenience.

The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore, LTD. is a Chicago and Northern Illinois law firm with a sharp focus on addressing the legal issues faced by children, teens, and their families. Their comprehensive practice areas include:

• Special Education Law: Representing youth with various disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, mental illness, genetic disorders, and other developmental disorders. This includes advocating for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), addressing school discipline, and ensuring appropriate educational programming and services.
• Juvenile Law: Handling legal matters specific to minors, which can include juvenile delinquency cases, status offenses, and other issues within the juvenile justice system.
• Divorce and Child Custody (Parental Responsibility and Parenting Time): Providing legal guidance through divorce proceedings with a particular emphasis on creating parenting agreements and establishing parental responsibilities that prioritize the best interests and unique needs of the children involved.
• DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) Matters: Representing families in cases involving allegations of child abuse or neglect, working to protect parental rights and family integrity.
• Guardianship: Assisting families with establishing legal guardianships for minors or incapacitated adults, ensuring their care, protection, and decision-making authority.
• Mental Health Law: Addressing legal issues related to mental health, which can include involuntary commitment, treatment advocacy, and ensuring appropriate mental healthcare access for children and teens.
• Mediation: Offering mediation services as a way to resolve family disputes amicably and collaboratively, often avoiding lengthy court proceedings. Joe Scally, an attorney with the firm, is a certified mediator and interested in all types of mediation, particularly those involving adult guardianship issues.
• IEP Consultations: Providing specialized consultations to help parents understand and navigate the Individualized Education Program process to secure appropriate educational services for their children.

This broad yet specialized range of services highlights their commitment to a holistic approach to child and family legal issues in Illinois.

The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore distinguishes itself through a strong philosophy and commitment to the well-being of children and families. Key features and highlights include:

• Founder's Vision (Micki Moran): The firm was started by Mary "Micki" Moran, J.D., whose practice is dedicated to providing effective and capable legal advice and representation to children and families. Her leadership emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach to intervention, recognizing that legal issues often intersect with educational, medical, and psychological needs.
• Holistic & Multi-Disciplinary Approach: The firm believes in addressing the full scope of a child and family's needs, often collaborating with a network of professionals (e.g., therapists, educators, social workers) to ensure comprehensive support and intervention strategies alongside legal advocacy.
• Specialized Expertise in Child-Related Law: With practice areas spanning special education, juvenile law, DCFS matters, and mental health law, the attorneys are deeply knowledgeable about the unique challenges and legal frameworks surrounding children's rights and welfare in Illinois.
• Commitment to the Best Interests of the Child: Every aspect of their practice is rooted in protecting and advocating for the best interests of children, particularly those with disabilities or facing difficult family circumstances.
• Extensive Litigation Experience: Micki Moran has extensive litigation experience across various legal forums, ensuring that the firm is prepared to provide strong courtroom representation when amicable resolutions are not possible.
• Mediation Services: The firm offers certified mediation services, with attorney Joe Scally trained in mediation skills and techniques. This provides clients with an alternative, potentially less adversarial path to resolving disputes, especially in complex guardianship matters.
• Educational Resources & Outreach: The firm actively engages in providing information and updates through newsletters and blogs (like Micki Moran's Kid's Law Blog and Special Education Law Blog), demonstrating their commitment to informing and empowering parents and professionals.
• Focus on Preventing Institutionalization: They work to help families obtain the care they need for their children without having to resort to turning them over to the Department of Children and Family Services, advocating for solutions that keep families intact and supported.

These highlights demonstrate their deep commitment to not just legal representation, but to the overall well-being and security of children and families in Illinois.

As a specialized legal services firm dedicated to the complex and sensitive areas of child and family law, The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore typically does not advertise generalized "promotions" or "special offers" in the same way a retail business might. Legal fees are generally determined based on the specific type of case, its complexity, the time and resources required, and the unique circumstances of each client and family.

However, for certain matters, The Child & Family Law Center does offer initial consultations. Specifically, they offer

free consultations on divorce and guardianship cases

. For other matters, there is an initial consultation fee, which covers approximately one hour of time. Payment for these consultations is due at the time of the meeting. They accept checks, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express for convenience. During the consultation, prospective clients will be asked to complete a short intake form and are encouraged to bring photocopies of any relevant documents, such as IEPs, evaluations, psychological testing, or a timeline of events. The attorney's hourly rate will also be discussed at this time.

To get the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their services and fee structures, especially concerning free consultations for divorce and guardianship, it is highly recommended to contact The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore directly using the contact information provided below. This direct communication will ensure clarity and help you understand how their services can best support your family's needs.

If you are located in Illinois and are seeking expert legal guidance for matters involving children and families, connecting with The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore is straightforward. You can reach their Highland Park office through the following contact details:

• Address: 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035, USA
• Phone: (312) 640-0500
• Mobile Phone: +1 312-640-0500

These contact points provide direct access to the firm, allowing you to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your specific child or family law concerns and learn more about how their experienced team can assist you. The availability of both a primary office phone and a mobile number enhances accessibility, ensuring that families can reach out conveniently during what can be sensitive and critical times.

For families and individuals across Illinois, particularly those in Highland Park and the broader North Shore region, The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore stands as an exceptionally suitable and vital legal resource. Their deep specialization, comprehensive approach, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of children make them an ideal choice for locals navigating complex and often emotional legal challenges.

The primary reason for their suitability lies in their dedicated and multifaceted specialization. Unlike general law practices, this firm focuses exclusively on child and family law, encompassing critical areas like special education, juvenile law, divorce, DCFS matters, guardianship, and mental health law. This focused expertise ensures that attorneys are not merely familiar with these complex Illinois statutes but are deeply knowledgeable about the nuances, challenges, and evolving legal landscapes affecting children and families. For local parents, this translates into more effective advocacy for their child's educational rights, more sensitive handling of custody disputes, and more informed guidance through challenging juvenile legal processes.

Furthermore, the firm's philosophy, championed by Micki Moran, which emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach, is incredibly beneficial for Illinois families. They understand that legal issues rarely exist in a vacuum and often intertwine with educational, medical, and psychological needs. By working with a network of professionals, they offer a holistic strategy that goes beyond legal representation, providing comprehensive support crucial for the child's overall well-being and long-term success. This integrated approach is a significant advantage for locals seeking thorough and compassionate care.

Finally, their convenient Highland Park location, coupled with the availability of consultations in other Illinois counties and via telephone, ensures practical accessibility. During sensitive times, having a local expert who is not only knowledgeable but also readily available for communication and meetings is invaluable. For anyone in Illinois seeking highly specialized, compassionate, and effective legal support for their children and families, The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore offers precisely the expertise and dedicated advocacy needed to achieve positive and lasting solutions.