Sage Counsel Family Law

Nearby Lawyers Illinois Lake County Highland Park Central Avenue

(4 reviews)

Contact Info

Location 734 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035, USA
Phone +1 847-433-9400
Website http://www.sagecounsel.law/

Reviews

Taryn Fisher made a stressful, life changing experience as seamless as possible. Her diligence and attention to detail was much appreciated. I could not recommend her & the team at Chausow Shafer more highly. I appreciated her kindness, while keeping me informed at all times during the process and my divorce was resolved amicably largely due to her suggestions and negotiations.
I have known Nancy Chausow Shafer since 2006. All of my dealings with her have been of the highest level of honest, extremely professional, and compassionate legal advise. I was, and am beyond satisfied with the outcome of my issues.
Nancy is my hero. You will love her as a client because of her grace. You will love her as opposing counsel for her humor. Highly recommended on both sides of the table.
I would not recommend Nancy as an attorney. She represented my ex in our 2014 dissolution proceedings, as well as a post-decree matter several years later. My ex was hurt, angry, confused, and vulnerable. He is a scientific and mathematical genius, but extremely naïve in other ways. I've come to believe he is almost certainly on the spectrum. Nancy took advantage of his vulnerabilities. She put a stumbling block before the blind. She validated his feelings, and he wrote her check after check. At a post-decree hearing in 2020 to modify support, Nancy ultimately professed that she made "errors" in her calculations, despite being considered an expert in the at the time "new" (2017) support calculations. She brought two junior attorneys to court with her - I can only imagine how that sky-rocketed the fees for my poor ex. I subpoenaed her office to find out what she billed him, but she never answered the subpoena. The judge awarded me close to the maximum sum in back pay that my attorney had projected. My ex told me afterwards, "I am devastated." I had been trying to warn him that she was taking advantage of him, but he couldn't or wouldn't listen. I think her unethical representation cost us a lot as a family. He confessed he emptied our kids' college savings account to pay me what the judge ordered him. If Nancy would have been honest with him from the start, he might not have liked it, and he might not even have hired her, but I like to think it might have been a step towards healing. And she could have kept her integrity to boot. If you are feeling angry and resentful about your situation, please choose your attorney carefully. Wounded/angry clients with money are blood in the water to unethical attorneys. Oh, and at the time of our 2014 dissolution proceedings, I was a total drunk and pill popper. My ex told her about what I was doing. Yet, Nancy wrote up a parenting agreement that I should have the kids unsupervised overnight, half the time. What my kids really needed was for their mom to go to rehab, and probably parenting classes to boot. They were one and three at the time. But I guess her proposed schedule allowed my ex to maintain his extensive travel for work, which I know he was worried about. He loves the kids, and if Nancy told him it was ok, then he trusted her. I got clean and sober on my own six months later, thank God, but Nancy didn't have a crystal ball. Things could have gone in a totally different direction, and she would have borne some culpability.

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About Sage Counsel Family Law

Sage Counsel Family Law, situated at 734 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035, USA, is a distinguished legal firm operating within the "Nearby Lawyers" platform category. This practice is dedicated to providing specialized legal services in the field of family law, serving clients in Highland Park and the broader Chicagoland area. The firm is recognized for its comprehensive approach to complex family matters, emphasizing strategic counsel, compassionate guidance, and a commitment to achieving favorable and often amicable resolutions.

The office's location in Highland Park, a well-regarded community on Chicago's North Shore, suggests a professional and client-friendly environment. While detailed interior descriptions are not readily available, law firms specializing in family law typically strive to create a comfortable, confidential, and empathetic atmosphere. This is crucial for clients who are often navigating emotionally sensitive and challenging life transitions. The address at 734 Central Avenue, likely within a professional office suite, indicates good accessibility and a structured setting where clients can feel at ease discussing private legal concerns. The firm's commitment to its practice area implies an environment designed to support focused legal work, sensitive client interactions, and efficient management of complex family law cases.

Sage Counsel Family Law offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the intricate needs of family law clients. The firm is led by experienced attorneys, including Nancy Chausow Shafer and Taryn Fisher, both highly respected in the legal community. Their collective expertise covers a broad spectrum of family law issues, focusing on providing practical and effective solutions. Key services provided by Sage Counsel Family Law include, but are not limited to:

Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage: Guiding clients through all aspects of divorce proceedings, from initial filing to final judgment. This includes addressing complex issues such as:
- Division of Marital Assets and Debts: Handling equitable distribution of property, including high-net-worth estates, businesses, real estate, and retirement accounts.
- Spousal Maintenance (Alimony): Negotiating and litigating fair arrangements for spousal support.
- Child Support: Determining appropriate child support obligations in accordance with Illinois law.
Child Custody and Parental Responsibilities: Assisting parents in establishing and modifying arrangements for decision-making (parental responsibilities) and parenting time (visitation), always prioritizing the best interests of the children.
Collaborative Divorce: Offering a cooperative, out-of-court approach to divorce that allows parties to resolve issues amicably with the support of legal and other professionals. This method is often preferred for its focus on preserving family relationships and reducing conflict.
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Providing and participating in mediation services to help clients reach mutually agreeable settlements without resorting to litigation. Nancy Chausow Shafer, in particular, is highly experienced in ADR.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: Drafting and reviewing agreements designed to protect assets and define financial expectations before or during marriage.
Post-Decree Modifications and Enforcement: Handling legal actions to modify existing divorce judgments or enforce compliance with court orders related to child support, maintenance, or parental responsibilities.
Estate Planning & Probate: While primarily a family law firm, Taryn Fisher also brings expertise in estate planning and probate, which can be particularly beneficial for clients undergoing divorce who need to revise their estate plans.

A distinctive feature of Sage Counsel Family Law is its dual emphasis on expert legal knowledge and a compassionate, client-focused approach. Nancy Chausow Shafer has been known for her highest level of honesty, extreme professionalism, and compassionate legal advice since at least 2006, according to client testimonials. She has concentrated her practice in family law for over 30 years and is recognized as a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, an Illinois Super Lawyer, and a Leading Lawyer. Her early adoption of technologies, including working with nationwide leading divorce financial software, makes her a leading authority consulted by her colleagues and the bench. Taryn Fisher is praised for making stressful, life-changing experiences as "seamless as possible" through her diligence and attention to detail. Her kindness, coupled with consistent client communication, is highly valued, with one review noting that their divorce was resolved amicably largely due to her suggestions and negotiations. The firm's attorneys are adept at selecting the most appropriate resolution process for each case, whether it involves litigation, mediation, or collaboration. This flexibility allows them to tailor their strategy to the unique needs and goals of each client, aiming for efficient and effective outcomes while minimizing emotional and financial strain.

Promotional information and client testimonials further reinforce the firm's strong reputation. Both Nancy Chausow Shafer and Taryn Fisher are recognized by Super Lawyers, a rating service that selects top attorneys based on peer recognition and professional achievement. This accolade speaks to their standing within the legal community. Nancy Chausow Shafer is also a well-known speaker and author of multiple legal publications, including chapters in the classic IICLE Contested Child Custody Litigation Handbook and a "Child Support and Maintenance Calculation Guide." Her extensive contributions to legal literature and frequent speaking engagements demonstrate her depth of knowledge and thought leadership in family law. The firm's commitment to professionalism, clear explanations, and a focus on positive outcomes are consistent themes in client feedback. For local users accessing the "Nearby Lawyers" platform, Sage Counsel Family Law offers a compelling option for those seeking experienced, empathetic, and strategic legal representation in all areas of family law. Their ability to navigate complex financial and emotional issues, coupled with a dedication to amicable solutions whenever possible, positions them as a trusted partner during challenging personal transitions.