Marilyn Fletcher Longwell

When I contacted this law firm, 3 others has declined to handle my case. I travelled from overseas were I am based on limited passport valid only for return in the USA (2 months validity). it was about arrears in child support that I believed i paid already. based on the letter I received I owe more ...than $43,000 to my ex. Marilyn took the case and reviewed all payments made and documented. I finally only owe $2,600. she saved me the trouble to get a loan to pay another loan. and this was done in less time that I ever expected. she was very professional and efficient above all, the fees of the retainer were very affordable.. the case was interstate and a bit complicated. she helped very efficiently .. Appreciate it Marilyn, Thank you.

I hired Marilyn in the summer 2017 to represent me in the final stage of my divorce. My ex was refusing to participate in the process, show up at court., after I filed two years ago. Marilyn was able to quickly secure a trial date which sped things up. We were able to hammer out a fair deal for all... sides with unique strategies my previous attorney never mentioned (his rate was lower but less experienced). Marilyn is old school, she likes to meet face to face to spitball ideas, and it works. You really feel like your case has her full attention and personal touch. Her hourly rates were a bit steep compared to other attorneys, but you are buying her experience and reputation, which means all the difference in the world when you reach that final negotiation crossroad that every divorce has. In the end, I am 100% certain I saved money by hiring her firm. First, the total bill ends up lower when she uses her skills to bring the case to the end. Second, the savings in maintenance and child support over 15 years justified the premium rate she charges. In other words, I recommend hiring the best and not shopping for best rates. I was lucky to have found Marilyn and her super smart associate Ebony and now I can move on to the next stage of my life. I have authorized her to use my name as a reference should any prospects have questions. Happily divorced!

I met Marilyn several years post-decree after an extremely acrimonious and prolonged divorce lasting more than half a decade. Marilyn was the 4th lawyer I retained during the life of this case and most certainly the last one I hope I’ll ever need. In any event she’s by far the best divorce lawyer... I’ve ever dealt with. She is polished, highly experienced and also a very much respected member of Chicago’s Legal Community. She’s knowledgeable about both the law and it’s practical real-life applications and interpretations, in a wide and deep sense regarding family issues in Cook County. She knows a lot more than that too! Her earlier professional background is also not unimpressive, look her up (I did) and you’ll see her experience. My divorce got a bit complicated because I got a new job during my divorce pre-decree. My new job paid handsomely and I was blessed to be able to sign a decree, in good faith at the time, to pay a very generous maintenance + child support figure amounting to mid six figures per year to my ex. I am proud to have paid it every month and always on-time and for many, many years I did just that. I retained Marilyn after I lost my job referenced above (a material change in circumstance) and attempted to file "pro-se" or on my own for a temporary reduction and/or abatement in my support obligation until I found a new job. I had already completed my maintenance payments several years ago so I merely wanted to abate/adjust my child support. I didn't think I required any further legal advice because I was not seeking anything complicated, simply financial relief. Her Honor denied my claim. Because of this, I had to go to trial. Trials are unpleasant and exhausting no matter who wins. However, if you must go through this experience, find the best trial lawyer you can find, and then hope/pray for the best. Marilyn is just that, the best, and this is why I think she did such an excellent job on my behalf. In a trial, I have learned, there is the law and then there are the facts. Furthermore there are two opposing parties in a court room, and on top of that-two lawyers representing those opposing parties with all the zeal and vigor they can muster, all in an effort to convince a judge one side or the other’s portrayal of the facts or perception of reality is true. That being the case, you want Marilyn by your side in that situation. She’s equally passionate about both the law, and the facts to the best interest of her client, but overall she is concerned about the fairness in which it is applied practically speaking. This is a rare thing to encounter in the legal arena I have found. Fairness is something that she strongly believes in, and I’m glad there are lawyers out there that I can respect for that reason. I’m even happier she’s not my adversary.