Wood Law

Navigating the deeply personal and often emotionally charged landscape of family law, especially matters involving child custody and divorce, requires not only legal acumen but also a commitment to the best interests of all parties involved. For residents across Illinois, particularly in the Plainfield area, selecting a legal professional for such sensitive cases is a critical decision. Wood Law, located in Plainfield, Illinois, serves the community in these challenging legal areas. While some client experiences highlight significant concerns regarding their services, it is important for local users to be aware of the firm's presence and to exercise thorough due diligence when considering legal representation for family matters.

Wood Law, as a legal entity in Plainfield, operates within the Illinois legal system to provide representation, particularly in family law. The firm's presence in the community indicates its role in handling various family-related legal disputes. However, it is essential for prospective clients to acknowledge the highly critical feedback provided by past clients. These reviews express serious concerns about the firm's approach, alleging issues with client advocacy, billing practices, and the impact of their recommendations on sensitive cases, especially those involving children. For instance, one review states, "Absolutely terrible attorney, she was appointed the G.A.L. and did not do her job. She overcharged me and did not do what she was appointed for." Another warns, "STAY AWAY! ... Makes recommendations based on nothing and was more interested in taking away my rights than looking at the mom." These comments suggest a need for extreme caution and direct inquiry by anyone considering their services. It is crucial for individuals seeking legal assistance in Illinois to verify that their chosen attorney aligns with their expectations for diligence, ethical conduct, and a client-first approach, particularly in highly vulnerable family law situations.

For residents in Plainfield and the wider Illinois region, Wood Law maintains an office that is generally accessible. You can find their practice at 13400 Illinois Rte 59 #263, Plainfield, IL 60585, USA. This address places the firm in a readily reachable part of Plainfield, a growing community situated in Will County. Illinois Route 59 is a major thoroughfare, ensuring straightforward navigation for those traveling to the office, whether from within Plainfield or from neighboring communities in DuPage and Will Counties. Being situated in Suite #263 suggests an office within a larger commercial or professional building, which typically offers a degree of privacy for legal consultations. While accessibility is generally good due to the location on a main route, prospective clients should confirm parking availability and ease of access to the specific suite within the building, especially if they have mobility concerns. The physical presence in Plainfield indicates the firm's intention to serve the local Illinois populace. However, the nature of legal services, especially highly contested family law, often requires frequent communication and potential court appearances, making convenient location a practical consideration for clients.

Based on the provided client reviews, Wood Law appears to primarily focus on areas within family law, particularly those involving child custody and divorce. While specific detailed practice areas beyond these are not fully clear from the limited information, the critical feedback predominantly centers on the firm's role in child-related disputes. Given the context of the reviews, the services offered would likely include:

• Child Custody (Allocation of Parental Responsibilities): Representation in cases determining which parent has decision-making authority over a child's upbringing and where the child resides. Reviews specifically mention the attorney being "appointed the G.A.L." (Guardian Ad Litem) in custody disputes, indicating a role in representing the best interests of the child in court.
• Divorce Proceedings: Assisting clients through the legal process of marriage dissolution, which often involves negotiations or litigation concerning child custody, child support, and division of marital assets. One review states, "I won custody in 2017," suggesting involvement in contested divorce outcomes.

It is common for family law practices to handle a broader range of related services that typically accompany divorce and custody matters. These may include:

• Child Support: Legal assistance with establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support orders.
• Spousal Maintenance (Alimony): Advising on and negotiating financial support for a spouse after divorce.
• Orders of Protection: Potentially assisting clients in seeking or defending against orders of protection in cases of alleged domestic issues.
• Modifications of Existing Orders: Representing clients when there is a need to modify previous court orders regarding custody, visitation, or support due to changed circumstances.

Given the highly sensitive nature of these areas and the significant concerns raised in client reviews, it is critically important for potential clients to conduct extensive research and direct inquiries to fully understand the scope of services and the firm's approach before engaging their services. They should specifically ask about the firm's methodology and transparency in handling such delicate cases.

Based on the provided customer reviews, the features and highlights of Wood Law present a concerning picture that prospective clients in Illinois should carefully consider:

• Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Appointment: The reviews explicitly mention the attorney being "appointed the G.A.L." in child custody cases. A GAL's role is to conduct an independent investigation and make recommendations to the court regarding the child's best interests. However, the negative reviews allege a failure to perform this role adequately, stating the GAL "did not do her job" and "makes recommendations based on nothing."
• Alleged Overcharging: A significant concern raised by clients is the accusation of being "overcharged" for services that were purportedly not rendered to satisfaction. This implies a lack of transparency or justification in billing practices.
• Questionable Client Advocacy: Reviews suggest a perceived lack of dedication to the client's rights or the child's best interests. Phrases like "more interested in taking away my rights than looking at the mom" and "your children's best interests will not be at heart with her" are direct accusations of misalignment with client and child welfare.
• Negative Impact on Client Lives: Perhaps the most alarming highlight is the severe impact alleged on clients and their children. The review citing "two of them had committed suicide the children of course and the other two children ended up in Linden Oaks" and the attorney "literally destroyed lives" paints a picture of potentially devastating consequences, attributing them to the attorney's recommendations. While these are severe allegations and the legal process is complex, such claims warrant extreme caution.
• Lack of Due Diligence (Alleged): The claim that the attorney "doesn't do any kind of investigation" and makes recommendations "based on nothing" suggests a failure to conduct thorough research or gather sufficient evidence, which is a critical aspect of effective legal representation, especially for a GAL.
• Lack of Transparency (Alleged): The review advising clients to "Show up to every court date if this is your attorney" due to concerns about "status updates while he reaches his sales quota" implies a perceived lack of transparency regarding court proceedings or the attorney's motivations.

Given these highly critical and severe allegations, these "features" serve as significant red flags for anyone considering legal services from Wood Law, particularly in family law matters where the stakes are incredibly high for individuals and children.

When considering legal services, potential clients often inquire about promotions or special offers that might alleviate financial strain or provide an initial low-risk entry point. However, the provided information for Wood Law does not indicate any specific promotions or special offers, such as free consultations or reduced fees, are currently advertised. Given the highly critical nature of the available client reviews, the primary focus for any prospective client from Illinois should be on ensuring they can obtain unbiased and comprehensive information before engaging with the firm, rather than seeking promotional incentives.

It is a standard industry practice for law firms to offer initial consultations, which may or may not be charged, to allow potential clients to discuss their legal needs. While this information is not explicitly provided for Wood Law, any initial interaction should be approached with a heightened level of scrutiny, given the severe concerns raised in the testimonials. For residents in Plainfield and the broader Illinois region interested in exploring the services offered by Wood Law, it is paramount to directly contact their office and explicitly inquire about their fee structure for initial consultations and their overall billing practices. This direct communication is vital to gather necessary details about how they operate and to understand any potential costs from the outset. Prospective clients should use this opportunity to ask probing questions about the firm's approach, especially concerning client advocacy and transparency, to determine if they are a suitable fit for their sensitive family law needs.

For those in Plainfield and throughout the Illinois region seeking legal assistance, connecting with Wood Law is possible through the provided contact details. Their office is strategically located and generally accessible. You can reach their practice through the following contact information:

Address: 13400 Illinois Rte 59 #263, Plainfield, IL 60585, USA

Phone: (815) 704-3500

Mobile Phone: +1 815-704-3500

The provision of both a primary office phone number and a mobile phone number suggests multiple avenues for contact. When contacting the office, particularly given the severe concerns raised in client reviews, it is highly advisable for prospective clients to be prepared with specific questions about their legal needs and about the firm's practices. This includes inquiries about their approach to client communication, case management, billing transparency, and how they address client concerns. It is crucial for Illinois residents to use this direct contact to gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision about engaging legal services for highly sensitive family law matters.

For locals in Plainfield and across the wider Illinois community, assessing the suitability of Wood Law for legal representation, particularly in family law and child custody matters, requires significant caution and thorough independent investigation. While the firm has a physical presence in Plainfield, the overwhelmingly negative and severe client testimonials present substantial red flags that prospective clients should not overlook. Allegations of overcharging, failure to perform duties as a Guardian Ad Litem, lack of investigation, and particularly disturbing claims about the devastating impact of recommendations on children's well-being, raise serious concerns about the firm's ethical conduct and dedication to client and child best interests.

For Illinois residents seeking legal representation for sensitive family matters, it is imperative to prioritize an attorney who demonstrates unwavering transparency, meticulous diligence, empathetic advocacy, and clear communication. Given the extremely serious nature of the criticisms, Wood Law, based on the provided reviews, appears to be a choice that demands extensive independent verification and direct, pointed questions about their practices from any potential client. It is advisable for locals to consider all available options and conduct comprehensive due diligence to ensure they select legal counsel that will genuinely protect their rights and the well-being of their families.