When dealing with retirement plans or complex matters such as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), seeking effective legal counsel is vital. An experienced attorney can provide guidance and representation tailored to your specific circumstances, ultimately helping you make informed decisions about your retirement planning.
However, onboarding a legal consultant offering comprehensive services can be challenging. In such a challenging environment, Petersen Law and QDROS LLC stands out with its range of services and ability to cater successfully to its clients‘ evolving requirements. With the assistance of a competent legal consultant like the firm, individuals can confidently navigate legal issues surrounding the protection of their assets in marriage or divorce, find options to navigate through the difficult issues of retirement plan division or pre- or post-nuptial agreements and many more.
Established by a Visionary
Petersen Law and QRDOS was established by Cynthia L. Petersen (Owner and Manager) in 2020. Before becoming a lawyer, Cynthia had a background in customer service. She established her law firm during COVID-19, leaving the firm to pursue her niche practice. She worked at a small law firm in Joliet, Illinois, handling family law and divorce cases that often-involved disputes. She had been doing this for nearly 23 years and had gained a good reputation for her expertise in dividing retirement plans during divorces, known as Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs). However, this aspect of her work was not the firm’s primary focus, and Cynthia was looking for a change. So, she left the firm on good terms to start her own practice, where she could focus exclusively on retirement plan division work. Some of her clients from the previous firm decided to work with her, which was beneficial.
Since the firm’s establishment, Cynthia has successfully built a thriving practice specializing in retirement plan division. She also offers other general legal services. She owns a building where she has her law office, a photography/art/craft shop, a photo studio and an escape room. She runs all of these businesses except the photo studio. When she first incorporated and for a couple of months after she moved to Stockton, IL to be near the resort areas in Northwest Illinois, she worked out of her house, but found an office space in December 2021, and hence, in February 2023, she bought the building.
Robust Background of Expertise and Experience
Although she currently practices residential real estate transactions, basic estate planning, contract drafting and enforcement, and general legal services, Cynthia’s niche is dividing retirement plans in divorces. Her work includes drafting the specialized order, testifying as an expert witness, teaching other attorneys about the area of law, prosecuting a retirement plan division issue in court, and much more. She also practices basic/uncontested divorces.
Cynthia is recognized for her high energy and outgoing nature, and she genuinely wants everyone to succeed. Besides, she strongly desires to excel in everything she does and approaches her work with a commitment to authenticity and openness. She believes in being a leader in her field while maintaining a relatable and approachable persona.
Going the Extra Mile for Client Satisfaction
Often, clients find traditional attorney meetings during office hours impersonal, with attorneys quickly dictating what needs to be done. This leaves clients powerless and uninformed about their case’s progress or details. Petersen Law and QDROS provides its clients with complete attention. The firm listens to the client’s full story, works with them to help them understand the process, and keeps them involved to feel they are still in control of their situation while having excellent guidance guided by Cynthia.
While interacting with her, clients find comfort in learning that she is not just a professional but also a regular person who understands their emotions and concerns. She successfully establishes a trust-worthy ambience where clients trust her to provide the required help for their specific situations. Her care for her clients is evident, and her clients can sense it. However, she also recognizes that caring alone isn’t sufficient; delivering excellent service is equally crucial. With her background in customer service, Cynthia is dedicated to consistently delivering the best possible outcomes for her clients.
Additionally, the firm provides a warm reception to the prospective client. Cynthia’s knowledge and ability to break down things easily makes Petersen Law and QDROS a distinctive firm in the industry. While experience is a major part of a client’s perception of the legal services provided, Cynthia tries to make it a satisfying and fulfilling experience for them. She listens and tries to address the clients‘ issues, even when she has to let them know she can’t accomplish something they want because the courts won’t give it to them.
In addition, Cynthia goes the extra mile to help her clients with their concerns. The firm offers various ways to meet with clients, ensuring flexibility and safety. They can have face-to-face meetings with or without masks, or using Zoom, phone, email, or other online platforms if preferred. Cynthia sends electronic forms for clients to fill out. She allows them to electronically sign engagement agreements and payments can be made online or over the phone if in-person meetings are not desired. Moreover, the firm adheres to all local government health and safety guidelines and can go beyond those if clients require extra precautions.
Portfolio of Accolades and Recognition
Such distinctive factors have earned the firm immense recognition, with Petersen Law and QDROs receiving multiple accolades. Moreover, Cynthia has received various awards for providing outstanding legal services through her firm. These include 10 Best Attorneys for 2019-2021, Top 10 Family Law Attorneys for 2021, 2022, and 2023 (Attorney and Practice Magazine), Best of the Best Top 10 Female Attorney for 2020, 2021 and 2023, 2021 Attorney of the Year (Top 100 Registry – Business Leaders & Professionals) and Legal Elite Awards 2022 (New World Report) and the Outstanding Leadership Award (2023) from the Law 2.0 Conference in Las Vegas, NV in July 2023.
Cynthia has a proliferative and radiant vision for Petersen Law and QDROs. She envisions scaling the growth and success of the firm shortly. She wants to continue excelling in providing exceptional services to the client while striving to do even better in the upcoming days.
Quote:
“Being a lawyer is providing the ultimate customer service to clients – finding out their needs, their struggles and helping solve those things in a caring and integrous manner is my mission in my law practice.”