Gauthier Family Law

Reviews

• CD

  Christian DeCicco

  Aug 24, 2026
  5.0
  I hired Mike after what was supposed to be a relatively simple pro se divorce took a pretty significant turn and I suddenly had to worry about the possibility of my kids being relocated out of state. Mike was exactly what I needed for the situation. He is very straight to the point and cuts through a lot of the legal fluff. I never felt like we were wasting time arguing semantics just for the sake of arguing. He would tell me what actually mattered, what my realistic options were, and how things were likely to play out based on his experience. I also have a tendency to catastrophize and go straight to the worst-case scenario, especially when it comes to my kids. Mike was very good at breaking things down into option A, option B, and sometimes option C, and explaining each route in a way that made everything feel much more manageable. There was never really a point where I felt like he was left scratching his head or didn’t know what the next move could be. One thing I appreciated a lot was that he also understood that this wasn’t just a legal case to me. I still cared about my ex and generally wanted to take the least destructive route possible. There were times Mike recommended one direction and I wanted to go another way. He would explain why he recommended what he did, listen to why I was hesitant, and if I still wanted to take the gentler approach, his attitude was basically, “Okay, we can do that, but let’s make sure we do it safely and intelligently and protect you in the process.” I never felt pressured into turning the divorce into more of a fight than it needed to be. His communication and staff were also very organized. If I needed to talk through something important, I could get an appointment and knew I would have his full attention. If something ever came up with scheduling, his office was proactive about reaching out and getting another time on the books. In the end, I got essentially everything I was hoping for. My kids stayed in Illinois, I came out of the divorce financially better than I expected to, and most importantly my ex and I were able to get through the process without completely destroying our relationship. We are actually on extremely good terms today, which was something that mattered a lot to me. Mike has a great memory, is realistic, thoughtful, experienced, and very no-nonsense. He also uses his support staff intelligently rather than having every single thing billed at attorney rates, which I appreciated. For what I paid, I genuinely feel like I got every penny’s worth. There were plenty of times throughout the process where it felt less like I was sitting across from an attorney and more like I was strategizing with someone I trusted who happened to know family law extremely well. I would recommend Mike in a heartbeat to anyone going through a divorce, with or without kids.
• SG

  S G

  Aug 8, 2026
  5.0
  Attorney Kathleen Smith of Gauthier Family Law did an outstanding job representing me in a lengthy post-divorce dispute with an ex-spouse located in a different state that involved numerous court filings, hearings, depositions and a court trial. Kathleen’s legal expertise, sharp intelligence and calm demeanor helped me stay grounded. Kathleen competently handled very aggressive opposing counsel responses every step of the way and was a steady and reassuring presence throughout the process, especially during court trial. Kathleen and the paralegal staff, Polliana and Katherine, were compassionate, supportive and worked very hard to give me the best possible outcome. All my calls and emails were handled in a timely, efficient manner. Fees were affordable. I highly recommend Gauthier Family Law firm and Kathleen Smith to anyone seeking a capable and trustworthy family law attorney.
• JN

  Jeff Nickles

  Aug 3, 2026
  5.0
  Gauthier Family Law is a trusted advisor during one of the worst times of your life. Mike does a great job of helping you understand the realities of the legal system and how to position yourself and your family to be well supported throughout this difficult time. Mike has an elite understanding of Illinois law and really cares, which separates him from many of the other attorneys I had consulted. I hope you never have a need for this sort of support but if you find yourself in need, I would strongly recommend Mike/team to help navigate and support.
• LP

  lauren polivka

  Jul 22, 2026
  5.0
  Mike and his team really are the best! Helped me out in an emergency situation that was very stressful. So grateful for his guidance and ability to help me stay calm and focused on what had to be done. Was available constantly for every question and concern, communicated every step of the way and beyond. Cannot express how much I would recommend!! If you are looking for the best - you’ve found it right here.
• JA

  Jerri Adams

  Jul 7, 2026
  5.0
  I’m incredibly grateful to Mike and Reham for their help. They took over a case that had gotten completely off course with prior counsel and brought it to a resolution efficiently, professionally, and cost-effectively. Their practical approach and focus on results made a difficult situation much easier to navigate. Highly recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gauthier Family Law