Yes. If your case is the type that our firm handles, we are happy to consult with you free of charge to give you an idea of what your issues will be and how our firm would handle your matter.

The Firm requires payment of an initial retainer to secure its services. Our attorneys bill for the time actually spent. There is a set hourly rate for each professional that is tied to his/her level of experience. Each month, the client receives a bill detailing the work performed, the professional who performed it, and the length of time it took to complete the task. The firm has numerous methods to maximize client legal fees. For more details, go to the ContiLaw Homepage and click on “Maximize Your Legal Dollar.”

A retainer is paid by the client to secure future billing by the attorney. The amount depends upon the type of matter and the estimated time that it will take to handle it. The attorney bills by the hour and, every month, the client receives a bill for services rendered. That amount is then deducted from the retainer until the retainer is expended. Depending upon the progress of the case, the attorney may request another retainer.

A client must sign the Firm’s standard engagement agreement which plainly states the terms of our relationship. Once the retainer is received, the Firm’s representation will begin.

There is no set time for a divorce to reach resolution. Much depends on how complicated the issues are and how much agreement there is between the parties as to issues such as parenting time, responsibilities and property division. Our firm prides itself on moving cases along as quickly as the court system allows so that your dispute is resolved with excellent results as efficiently and as cost-effectively as possible.

Collaborative law is a process that avoids the court system and allows the parties to negotiate a resolution of their disputes in a collaborative and open process using various neutral professionals for children’s and financial issues. The process is cooperative and consensual--rather than oppositional--and enables the parties to reach their own decisions, rather than allowing judges or court personnel to do so. Karen Conti is certified in collaborative law and is available to handle your divorce using this process to resolve your family law matters. For more information, go to https://www.collaborativepractice.com/

Yes. Mediation is an excellent process to resolve disputes. Mediation is a confidential process, is geared toward minimizing conflict, and allows the parties to control the resolution of their disputes rather than have a judge make decisions or rulings, a neutral person facilitates the parties in reaching an agreement. Generally, you will retain an attorney to first advise you of your rights prior to engaging in mediation. Karen Conti is a certified mediator and can be retained to mediate your dispute or to advocate for your rights prior to and during the mediation process. For more information, go to divorceinfo.com/mediation.htm

Much of our work can be done via telephone, email and/or Skype or Zoom.

Our attorneys practice in Cook County, including the branches in Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Maywood, Bridgeview, and Markham and the Domestic Violence Court. We also practice in DuPage, Lake, Will, and other counties.

In addition to checks, we accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover. You may use our secure merchant account for credit card payment online. See Contact Us/Billing and Payments.