Donald Erwin Ray

Donald Erwin Ray

also known as Ray Law Office

4.6
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 31 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Rockford, IL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Support, Family ... +6 more

1437 S. Bell School Road #4, Rockford, IL

About Donald

Biography

Practice Areas

9

Practice Areas

Child Support 20%

Each paternity and divorce case requires the issues of custody, visitation, and financial support to be addressed by the court and my experience with multiple counties, attorneys statewide, as well as an working relationship with child support state agencies provides me with the tools to assist your needs and goals. I contend that I am the most experienced attorney in the State of Illinois as it relates to child support matters.

26 years

20%
Alimony 10%

In Illinois the legal term is Maintenance. This is a required issue in any divorce case. Many factors are involved with calculating proper maintenance taxes and forms of income.

26 years

10%
Family 10%

Divorce, Child Support, Maintenance

26 years

10%
Financial Markets and Services 10%

Todays financial system is not your Grandpa's ticker tape anymore. If you financial family/divorce case involves cryptocurrency you need someone with experience in the field.

9 years

10%
Business 5%

Assistance with compliance of Child Support garnishment process and affirmative defenses to $100.00 per day penalty for alleged improper compliance

21 years

5%
Marriage and Prenuptials 5%

The use of prenuptials to safeguard financial interests certainly can be done. Make sure to consider choosing an attorney who has a history with cryptocurrency, bitcoin. In my 25 years plus of divorce cases only a very few involve these agreements.

26 years

5%
Mediation 5%

Assist parties with determining options for child support calculations, agreed to property allocations reflected in proper formal documentation, arrearage negotiations

2 years

5%
Uncontested Divorce 5%

Our office handles these cases when both spouses are not comfortable with the required forms and legal pitfalls that can occur due to the required formal paperwork. There is no need to hire any attorney. The Supreme Court provides free forms.

26 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 200-350 per hour

Contingency

30%-30%

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 31 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1994

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Ray Law Office, P.C.

1437 S. Bell School Road #4, Rockford, IL, 61108

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Donald Erwin Ray's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

105 Client Reviews

Showing 66 - 70 of 105 reviews

Posted by kody | January 15, 2013 | Child Custody

mr ray

i recently had the pleasure of having mr ray as my lawyer through a custody battle we just went to court recently and he did an amazing job i could not be happier with how he respresented me and got me my visitation rights back for me to see my son i would recommend mr ray to anyone wanting an honest... hardworking attorney who actually knows what he is doing and is not in it just to take your money i wanna thank you mr ray for defending me and getting my son back thank you

Posted by RACHEL | January 15, 2013 | Child Support

DON RAY IS WORTH A MILLION IN MY BOOK

I'VE BEEN TOLD MANY NEGATIVES ABOUT LAWYERS, BUT DON PROVES THEM ALL TO BE FALSE. HE IS TRUELY ONE IN A MILLION LAWYER!!! DON, KNEW WHAT I WAS THINKING BEFORE I EVEN SAID IT!!! HE IMPRESSED ME WITH HIS: KNOWLEDGE, FAST RESPONSES, COST, PERSONALITY, AND CARING FOR MY WHOLE SITUATION. HE WAS MORE OF ...A FRIEND THAN SOMEONE I HIRED! DON GOT MY FAMILY SUPPORT IN ONE MONTH WHEN I WAS WAITING A YEAR BEFORE MEETING HIM. HE WENT AGAINST MY EXS LAWYER WHOM WAS MONEY HUNGRY, VERY MEAN, AND A LIAR!! I WON'T SAY HER NAME(CHERI GREENLEE)!! OOPS!!! SHE WILL TAKE EVERY PENNY YOU HAVE AND STILL NOT HAVE A CLUE IN WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT. DON STEPPED UP TO HER LIKE SHE WAS A TINY PUPPY WITH A BIG BARK!!! CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF DON DOES NOT WANT BOTH PARTIES TO CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR MORE MONEY, HE ALWAYS TOLD ME IF MY EX AND I AGREE IT WILL BE CHEAPER. HE JUST WANTED TO DO HIS JOB GOOD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY . HOWEVER, IF I DIDNT LIKE SOMETHING HE STOOD BY ME AND FAUGHT!!! HE ALWAYS GOT ME WHAT I NEEDED!!! THANK YOU VERY, VERY, MUCH DON RAY FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK IN ALL MY CASES!!!

Posted by Sherri | January 14, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes

If you want an HONEST attorney..........Then he is the One for You

I went to see Mr. Ray for a free consultation. I thank him for the honesty; he is quite blunt, but that is who you want in an attorney. He does not sugar-coat it, the way it is, is the way he will tell you; which for me was the way it should be, and for anyone wanting an attorney. He even said t...hat he would not take my money to hire him! (That's how much he thinks I didn't have a case!) Even though I think I am right on my case! I saw him a couple times in court, pro se, (without an attorney) and he asked how my case was going......He is truly an attorney you can count on! Wish he would re-consider my case??!

Posted by Scott | January 09, 2013 | Divorce & Separation

Absolutely the best!!!!!!

I'm at work right now so when I get a chance I will give you all the details about Don. But there is no way I would've made it through my divorce and got soul custody of my daughter without him. It was kind of funny how I got recommended to go see Don. A lady I used to work with her son ex wife had h...im and told me that her son didn't have a chance against him.... I also work at a plant with like 4200 people and I have people coming up to me that I don't even no and ask me who my divorce attorney was.. And before I hired Don I had about 5 or 6 consultation with other divorce attorneys and it seemed like everyone only cared about the money. And I can't say enough about Don thank you so much!!! Scott

Posted by Esmeralda | November 07, 2012

MOST EFFICIENT!!!!!

Attorney Ray was very efficient, and kept me well informed. Explained everything clearly and allowed me the opportnity to ask any questions. I most definitely recommend his services!!!

See All Client Reviews

Donald Erwin Ray's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Donald
Maureen M. Lawson headshot
Maureen Lawson

Family lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have worked with Attorney Ray on several cases as an appointed Guardian ad Litem and as opposing counsel. Attorney Ray is professional, hard working and does an excellent job on behalf of his clients."

Eric William Arnquist headshot
Eric Arnquist

Family lawyer | Apr 21

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse Don Ray. Don is an outstanding advocate for his clients. He is extremely knowledgeable in issues related to family law and is incredibly hardworking."

Phil Kesler headshot
Phil Kesler

Family lawyer | Apr 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Don to be an excellent family lawyer who is trustworthy and diligent in helping clients through hard times. I have referred several client to him and continue to do so."

Bradley Robb Tengler headshot
Bradley Tengler

Family lawyer | Oct 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Don is an exceptional attorney and fierce advocate in the family courtroom. In addition, his humor brings a sense of humanity to the divorce practice - a very important trait to assist clients with the emotional stress that they will experience with this kind of litigation. He is also respected in our community as one of the most knowledgeable, if not most knowledgeable, attorney in the area of child support litigation and notices to withhold. I highly recommend Don."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Jun 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Donald. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Brian Anthony Grady headshot
Brian Grady

Child support lawyer | Dec 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Donald Ray is the authority on all child support related matters in the State of Illinois. I have know Mr. Ray for many years and utilize his expertise when I have a difficult legal matter involving child support. I highly recommend Donald Ray in all divorce related matters and recommend anyone who requires legal assistance in Rockford area to contact Mr. Ray."

Raiford D. Palmer headshot
Raiford Palmer

Child support lawyer | Jan 12

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Don is a very skilled family law attorney. We work together on some child support matters and I am glad to have a working relationship with him. On any child support matter he is our "go-to" person."

View All Endorsements
Phil Kesler headshot
Phil Kesler

Personal injury lawyer

Alexis Marie Kraft Simmons headshot
Alexis Simmons

Domestic violence lawyer

Bradley Robb Tengler headshot
Bradley Tengler

Family lawyer

Gary L. Schlesinger headshot
Gary Schlesinger

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2016

Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell

2001

Certificate of Appreciation Young Lawyers President, Winnebago County Bar Association

Work Experience

1999 - Present

Solo Practioner, Ray Law Office, P.C.

1997 - 1999

Attorney, Gilbert & Associates

1995 - 1997

Attorney, City of Rockford

1994 - 1995

Attorney, Crosby & Associates

Associations

2016 - Present

Ogle County Bar Association

Member

2016 - Present

Boone County Bar Association

Member

2000 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Member

Professional organizations and associations

Member

2002 - 2006

National Child Support Enforcement Association

Member

2000 - 2001

Winnebago County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section

Past President

2000 - 2020

Winnebago County Bar Association

WCBA Chairperosn 2019-2020 resigned

2000 - 2001

Winnebago County Bar Association

Former Board of Directors

Sample of Legal Cases

In re the Marriage of Clark http://www.state.il.us/court/R23_Orders/AppellateCourt/2013/2ndDistrict/2121061_R23.pdf

Trial court overturned. Interest is to be accounted for.

In re the Marriage of Smith, http://www.state.il.us/court/Opinions/AppellateCourt/2004/2ndDistrict/March/HTML/2030183.htm

The award of past due support for my client was upheld

See More Legal Cases

Education

1991

Northern Illinois University

BS - Bachelor of Science

1988

Northern Illinois University College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

Speaking Engagements

2019

Child Support & Maintenance 7th Biannual Master Teacher Seminar Income Withholding Maintnenance & Child Support

2018

Winnebago County Bar Association Family Law CLE Cryptocurrency 101 and How it may Impact your Practice

2017

2013

Winnebago County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Child Support

2012

Family Law CLE

Income Withholding for Support

2006

WCBA Family Law Seminar

Child Support Interest Laws

2005

NSWBA Family Law Seminar

Child Support Interest Calculations

Publications

2009

Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education The Illinois Income Withholding “Notice” (Order) and S.B. 100

2005

Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education The Math of the 2006 Interest Laws

2003

Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Newsletter The Application Of Child Support Interest, More Than Just A Sharp Pencil.

Languages

English

Activity

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