Michael R. Stetler

Michael R. Stetler

5.0
Rating: 9.6

Licensed for 22 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Woodstock, IL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Family, Child Custody ... +4 more

1400 N. Seminary Ave., Suite L, Woodstock, IL

About Michael

Biography

Practice Areas

7

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 25%

My practice is limited to all aspects of family law with the recent addition of some estate planning work. Though difficult to breakdown, I've handled hundreds of family law cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, maintenance and other issues.

23 years

25%
Family 25%

My practice is limited to all aspects of family law with the recent addition of some estate planning work. Though difficult to breakdown, I've handled hundreds of family law cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, maintenance and other issues.

25%
Adoption 10%

19 years

10%
Child Custody 10%

23 years

10%
Child Support 10%

23 years

10%
Estate Planning 10%

In addition to my family law practice, I am now preparing estate plans including wills, trusts and associated documents. As a Registered CPA with a Master's Degree in Taxation, I can efficiently and effectively provide these services to my current and future clients.

15 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 250-340 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 22 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 2003

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Stetler Law Group

1400 N. Seminary Ave., Suite L, Woodstock, IL, 60098

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Michael R. Stetler's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

17 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (17) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 17 reviews

Posted by Tony | February 04, 2025 | Hired Attorney

Excellent attorney, look no further!

Michael is an excellent attorney! I have retained his services twice now and have never been disappointed. He is very knowledgeable and very responsive. He will present you with all of the options and will be as aggressive as you desire. I would retain him again without hesitation. Paralegal Re...becca is very helpful and very easy to work with as well.

Posted by Angela | February 08, 2024 | Hired Attorney

Great lawyer

Michael communicated very well. He was always on top off everything as well as fast response times when I would reach out.

Posted by Laura | December 22, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Michael R. Stetler

Michael R. Stetler is very knowledgeable and respectful. He was also quick to respond. He got my divorce done in about 21 days.

Posted by Anna | May 05, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Fair and Firm Divorce Lawyer

I hired Michael in a somewhat contentious divorce. I would say he was firm, consistent, but fair throughout. He told me what I needed to know and kept me fully informed in the whole case. He did a good job in pushing the issues that needed to be pushed when they could. Also, he was less expensive... than other lawyers I talked to with similar experience, but I liked that he was straightforward and didn't seem like he was trying to tell me just what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to know.

Posted by Pete | April 09, 2021 | Divorce & Separation

Divorce Case

I went through a very difficult divorce and chose to use an attorney that had contacted me about representing me for the divorce. After 6 months of getting nowhere on the divorce and accumulating legal fees, I did some research and made the decision to switch to Michael Stetler. He came across as a... no-nonsense attorney that would look out for my best interest and push for results. He also had the experience and ideas that help me feel confident that he could get the divorce done. Even though my Ex had significantly different views as to what she we due in the divorce, Michael drew upon his knowledge and experience on divorce to comfort me that we would work aggressively for a fair settlement. It took a lot of back and forth, providing a lot of documents and a 4 way conference with both attorneys and me and my Ex, but we were able to get a settlement done when it looked impossible. I attribute that settlement to Michael. I was ready to give up and go to trial and so was the other side. Michael put together alternatives for a solution on the fly at the meeting and finally got us in agreement. That probably saves us $40,000 in just legal fees for going to trial and all of the pain and stress that would have resulted for both sides and our families. Michael has a strong financial background and fully understands how to structure settlements that looks out for your best interest. I would strongly recommend Michael to anyone looking for a divorce attorney that will work hard for the best results possible for you.

Michael Stetler

Replied last April 09, 2021

Thanks for the kind comments. I always like to keep in mind that while trial is necessary, self-determined outcomes provide opportunities for creative solutions that can address concerns judges simply can't.

See All Client Reviews

Michael R. Stetler's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
Amanda Yvonne Garcia headshot
Amanda Garcia

Family lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Michael's mastery of family law, including its financial implications, is unsurpassed. He is a patient, reasonable, and firm advocate for his clients. I highly recommend his services."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Unknown lawyer | Dec 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Edward Brandon Beckham headshot
Edward Beckham

Family lawyer | Sep 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An attention for detail; a committed advocate."

Sara R. Howard headshot
Sara Howard

Adoption lawyer | Aug 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. From his answers on AVVO, he has shown to be a knowlegable and caring legal professional."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Judy A. Goldstein headshot
Judy Goldstein

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Stetler consistently provides Avvo members outstanding information and legal suggestions. I would not hesitate to refer potential clients to him and believe he would provide excellent advice and representation in any area of family law."

John Dominic Parisi headshot
John Parisi

Family lawyer | Jul 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Michael is a consummate professional capable of handling the most complex financial matters facing a family lawyer. I recommend Michael without hesitation."

View All Endorsements
Sara R. Howard headshot
Sara Howard

Adoption lawyer

Gregory C. Maksimuk headshot
Gregory Maksimuk

Family lawyer

John Dominic Parisi headshot
John Parisi

Family lawyer

Judy A. Goldstein headshot
Judy Goldstein

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.6 (Superb)

Honors

2016

2016 One of the Best Attorneys in McHenry County, Northwest Herald (Shaw Media)

2016

Emerging Lawyer, Leading Lawyers

2015

Emerging Lawyer, Leading Lawyers

2013

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Attorney / Principal, Stetler Law Group

2003 - 2013

Attorney, Gitlin, Busche & Stetler

Associations

2009 - Present

Council of Appellate Lawyers

Member

McHenry County Bar Association

Member

Illinois State Bar Association

Member

Chicago Bar Association

Member

American Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Valkiunas v. Olsen, No. 2-08-0279

Affirmed

See More Legal Cases

Education

2003

University of Illinois College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2002

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

MS - Master of Science

1999

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2013

Child Support and Maintenance

Tax Aspects of Maintenance and Social Security in Divorce

2013

Business Valuations and Financial Issues in DivorceAnnual Seminare

Divorce Tax Law Update

2011

Maintenance, Property and Deductions

Tax Aspects of Divorce

2011

Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce

Tax Law Update

2010

Business Valuation, Financial, and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce

Tax Law Update

2009

Business Valuation, Financial, and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce

Tax Law Updated

2008

Money Matters in Divorce

Maintenance and Spousal Support

2008

Business Valuation, Financial, and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce

Tax Law Updated

2007

Child Support and Maintenance

Lecturer

2006

Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements

Lecturer

Publications

2007

Unknown Gitlin on Divorce Reports

2006

Unknown Gitlin on Divorce Reports

2005

Unknown Gitlin on Divorce Reports

2004

Unknown U. S. Laws Help Secure Post-Divorce Health Insurance

2004

Unknown Gitlin on Divorce Reports

2003

Unknown Gitlin on Divorce Reports

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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