Donald Erwin Ray

Donald Erwin Ray

also known as Ray Law Office

4.6
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 31 years

Child support Lawyer at Rockford, IL
Practice Areas: Child Support, Divorce & Separation, 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%
Business 10%

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

21 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%
Uncontested Divorce 10%

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

10%
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%

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 1 - 5 of 32 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Michael | October 12, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Very professional and reliable

Excellent lawyer. He communicated great with me, didn’t waste time, extremely reliable, and professional. He did his job great and accomplished the task at hand extremely well. Would hire again if I had too and would recommend to anyone needing his service in his line of work.

Posted by Lori | May 19, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

2020 Pandemic Divorce

Mr. Don Ray was my divorce attorney during the pandemic. Even with all the changes and policies during the pandemic, Don was still able to be an excellent attorney. He always responded very quickly to my many e-mails. He made sure to forward important details of my case to me immediately. Don was... professional when talking to me about my questions and concerns. He was very articulate and kept me informed of my options. He was short and concise when he answered my questions....He did not sugar coat anything, which helped me tremendously. Don was very good at getting the other lawyer involved to respond to questions and agree to adjustments in my divorce. I would and do recommend him for any case involving divorce. He WILL do a great job and you WILL be happy when all is said and done.

Posted by anonymous | November 13, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Great to work with!

Donald helped me with my parenting plan that had to go to court with my childs mother. He was very attentive to my requests, and knowledgeable and firm with the opposing side. He communicated every step of the way and I felt confident he would help me with what I needed and did just that. I would rec...ommend Donald to anyone would work with him in the future if needed.

Posted by Denae | April 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Excellent Attorney!

Attorney Ray was everything I wanted in an attorney that was handling my case. He is very professional, courteous, and straight to the point. I hired him after my case had been drug out for over a year and a half with another attorney and he was able to wrap it up in about 2 months. I was completely... satisfied with the outcome and as far as I'm concerned if I ever need to hire an attorney to handle my case again it will be with attorney Ray. The best part of working with him is that he stays on point. If the conversation starts to get side tracked he brings it right back to the important stuff. He is not there to waste anyone's time, which is a trait that is hard to find when it comes to hiring someone that charges by the hour. His rates are more than fair. I would have paid twice as much to get the results that I got. And that would have still been less than what the other attorney would have charged me. Because of my experience with Attorney Ray, my husband went straight to him for consultation on his case and has retained his services. I highly recommend Attorney Ray.

Posted by Elizabeth | October 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

A Ginormous SHOUT OUT to Attorney Ray

I want to give thanks and acknowledgement to Attorney Ray for helping me get through a very difficult time in my life. I originally hired a different Attorney, who kept delaying the process of my Divorce. She left me extremely frustrated and overwhelmed. I, then, hired Don Ray to expedite the pr...ocess of my Divorce and he didn't disappoint. He is knowledgeable, dependable, reliable, direct, and to the point. He was thorough in explaining the navigation of the Court System and also the proper steps to take in finalizing the divorce (something I had no knowledge of). He returned my emails promptly, and directly answered my questions and concerns. His fees were very reasonable and manageable and I was never overcharged. Thanku again, Don, for easing my stress and anxiety throughout the Divorce Process. I'm truly grateful for you.

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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