William Lowell Opal

I was referred to Bill Opal by a family friend. Hiring him was the best decision. He was helpful throughout the process of requesting child support and a child care agreement. He worked in a timely and efficient manner. During our court hearings Bill was well prepared, professional, and reliable. I... would highly recommend hiring Bill for your legal needs.

I have had a couple attorneys over the past 10 years with my family case and I don't think I will need to find another ever again. I would recommend Bill to anyone! Bill did a fabulous job of handling my life in a equitable manner that anyone can trust. I say my life because my kids are my life an...d as a Dad sometimes you can feel helpless. He made me feel that he is not just there to get paid but to help me get back to life with my child. He gave me clear direction and was never more than a phone call away. The things you see as important he investigates thoroughly but he will also be that down to earth reasoning that made me feel comfortable at every step. As for his performance in court, the times we were in front of a judge Bill was the sharpest person in the room. He was truly fighting for me and was extremely well prepared for all instances. When the other lawyer tried forcing false claims about my income shut that down right away and had solutions that the other lawyer wasn't prepared for because they were sensible which the judges seem to like. He also found the other parent hiding six figures that went undisclosed. I truly feel that he had my best interest at all times and today I share equal placement of my child along with equal responsibilities with the child's other parent. If I had to do it over again I would still use Bill Opal.

Bill represented me the first time post divorce when I had no access to a 529 education fund to be set aside for our (3) children's college tuition. In our original decree my ex husband was court ordered to deposit 32% of his year end bonuses into a 529 plan. This was in lieu of paying me directly in... some form of child support. Our oldest was ready to head off to Marquette, not a cheap school- sticker price 54k and I had no knowledge of much less access to the 529 education fund. At this point 10 years of 32% net was allegedly being put into an account. It was not. Turns out, funds were misappropriated, numbers weren't really adding up and I was in no place financially to cut a check for 1/3 of Marquette tuition. After months of not repeatedly asking for documents, W-2's, 529 account information and access to, my ex husband turns this information over to Bill. Please understand the longer the delay one side takes to rack up attorney's fees for the other person only means they've got the money to play and toy with you/me until you have no money left to fight and you once again have to give in. I couldn't give in, Bill asked for my attorney's fees to be paid by my ex due to his non compliance. It was granted. Ironically enough, my child support went up quite a bit even though I was receiving support for 2 children and not 3 at this point. After another round in court when I went in solo....no attorney (not a good move) I got pretty hosed. My income is 25% of what my ex husbands is yet, in IL everything is 50/50 and then tuition is 1/3 split. Bill Opal was my last chance. I asked for the following: 1. any and all FAFSA grants awarded based on my application & income, be allotted to my portion of tuition at 1/3 (as opposed to being divied up by 3) 2. any FAFSA Loans, work study etc. be allotted to our child's portion (as opposed to being divied up by 3) 3. any additional applications I personally fill out for aid, grants, etc. from the University my child attends be allotted to my portion (as opposed to being divied up by 3) 4. all shared expenses be 70% 30% no longer 50/50 The judge awarded these to me. I'll put it into a financial perspective- 3 kids in college at the time time. Tuition, room/board alone average 150,000.00 total a year (doesn't include books, life, travel) That's not only steep- it's 3 times my annual salary. I couldn't do it. Yes, tuition is still around 18k out of pocket for me, but that's a far cry from 50k plus. I will say this about Bill Opal, he is fair and honest, determined and not remotely spiteful. He sticks to the facts rather than firing up an angry client to go for the guttural. I walked out of court feeling as though the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. I've already referred Bill to a few of my friends in similar situations. Normally the word trust and lawyer don't go in the same sentence. They do here. I trust Bill Opal.

I cannot recommend Bill enough. I obtained Bill's services in a child support dispute case. It was all handled seamless, quickly, fairly and cost effective. From the moment we met I felt at ease. His firm and amazing team was more than willing to help always!!! Easy and transparent system in place fo...r all communication, billing and court documents. Just a really great guy in general. Anyone would be in good hands with Bill!!! Thank you, truly!