LeVine, Wittenberg & Shugan – Chicago Family Law Attorneys

The Law Firm of LeVine, Wittenberg & Shugan has been part of the legal community serving the southern suburbs as well as greater Will County and the metropolitan Chicago area for a period for over 35 years. The firm was founded by the senior partner, Howard LeVine, who commenced private practice in November of 1968. Since its inception, the firm’s central focus has been family law. Mr. LeVine graduated from the University of Illinois with high honors in the areas of history and political science and matriculated to DePaul Law School where he graduated in 1968. Mr. LeVine has been in private practice ever since. 

In 1970, Michael Wittenberg joined his lifelong friend Howard LeVine in practice, thereby creating the framework for LeVine, Wittenberg, & Shugan, Ltd. In 1978, Ross Shugan joined the firm as an associate and became a named partner in 1984. The next generation of the firm began in 1996, when Steven Wittenberg, Michael’s son, joined the firm as an associate. In 2001, Steven Wittenberg became a partner thereby creating the partnership that exists today.

The firm has grown over the years by adding associates and paralegals. Michael Schatz became an associate in 2004, as did Elissa Wittenberg Libman, who joined the firm as consulting counsel.  In 2009, Emily Shaughnessy joined as an associate.

We count among our members some of the leading Chicago divorce attorneys practicing today. Contact us to set up an initial consultation.

Common Myths About Divorce

"And they lived happily ever after."

Even a good marriage has its share of problems. Many times people are made to feel that they have failed when they cannot make a marriage work and sometimes feel that if they don't get a fair settlement, they deserve that punishment for not being able to make their spouse happy. Here at LeVine, Wittenberg & Shugan, we help our clients to come to terms with the facts and realize that the resolution of their marriage, including the division of assets, future income and child support, visitation, and the responsibility for joint obligations can affect them for many, many years to come.

"But we are still really good friends."

Some divorcing couples look around and see many people that seem to have made it through the same process unscathed. The ex-husband and ex-wife still run into each other on social occasions and really do seem to get along. While this is wonderful when this can happen, life after divorce usually does not work that way. One of the first things adults must realize is that they cannot fix every problem. Sometimes the only solution is to walk away. There is no shame in needing a good lawyer to handle the communication for you. And if you are still holding out hope you can both speak to each other after all is said and done, you will have a much better chance of doing that if neither of you thinks they were taken advantage of during the divorce.

"No matter what, I know my spouse would never take advantage of me."

Yeah, right. It was also supposed to be "until death do us part." But, even if your spouse wants to play fair, it still takes an expert to cover all the bases. At LeVine, Wittenberg & Shugan, our attorneys are not just skilled in the legal aspects of a divorce – they are trained in the economic issues as well. We have attorneys who are members of the  American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and, while that may sound like just another professional association that takes dues, it signifies that our attorneys have studied the issues you are facing further and in more depth than most of the divorce lawyers out there. Our attorneys are skilled in the issues couples face when they divorce after five years of marriage, ten years of marriage, twenty years of marriage and more. Where one spouse has sacrificed career goals to enable the other to build a business, the contribution of the non-involved spouse needs to be considered. When a couple divorces after a long marriage during which one did not work, there are serious issues to be considered such as the right to retirement benefits, health insurance, and loss of a standard of living. Spousal support, child custody, and post-decree modifications of support all require the advice of an experienced and knowledgeable divorce lawyer.

We address such questions as:

• How do you value closely-held businesses, including medical and law practices?
• Are there social security and private pension vesting rights?
• Who is obligated for debts, including mortgages, loan guarantees for business purposes and student loans?
• Can you split contributions to 401ks, IRAs, SEPs, stock portfolios and other investments including money market and mutual funds?
• What about credit report changes or bankruptcies?
• Can we provide for cost of living changes?

"Guess who just won the lottery?"

What if the payments never come? What if things change? What was a good settlement ten years ago, even with the best planning, may not be adequate today if you experience problems like disability or a child's physical handicap. Illness or injury may also drastically limit an ex-spouse's ability to support him or herself, leaving little to nothing left over for children. Likewise, a spouse might have been asked to contribute little money towards the support of the children at the divorce, based on the minimal earning potential, only to make substantial career advances or inherit substantial sums of money. Over the years, circumstances change and you will need the help of an experienced Chicago divorce attorney to interpret which of those events the courts recognize as legitimate opportunities for modification of your earlier decree.

To arrange for an initial consultation with a Chicago divorce attorney at LeVine, Wittenberg & Shugan call us at 708-957-5500 or contact us online.

Serving Chicago, Illinois and the cities of Homewood, Joliet, Flossmoor, Palos Heights, and Orland Park, and surrounding areas in Cook County and Will County.

LeVine, Wittenberg & Shugan, Ltd.
18400 Maple Creek Dr., Suite 600
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Phone: (708) 444-4333

20 N. Clark Street, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60602-4109
Phone: (312) 443-1998