Ashley E. Bechtold
Partner
Ashley E. Bechtold concentrates her practice in estate planning and probate, and civil and family law litigation.
In her estate planning and probate practice, Ashley structures various estate plans, initiates the probate process, if necessary, and litigates probate and trust matters of contention. Ashley’s excellent communication skills allows her to cater each plan to the individual needs of the client. Her attention to detail provides her with the exceptional ability to plan for unforeseen circumstances.
In her family law practice, Ashley has tried pre-decree and post-decree cases involving child support, custody (i.e., allocation of parental responsibilities), interstate jurisdiction and removal, maintenance (formerly alimony), and other property disputes and valuation of asset concerns on behalf of her clients. Ashley excels at communicating with her clients and listening to their specific needs. This ability coupled with her courtroom experience makes her an effective litigator both in and out of the courtroom.
Ashley’s personal injury litigation includes representing plaintiffs and defendants in vehicle collisions, slip and fall premise liability including suits against public entities and large retail establishments, professional negligence, and landlord negligence in maintenance and repair. Additionally, Ashley defends clients in declaratory judgment actions against insurance companies, obtaining coverage and significant payouts. Ashley represents individuals and companies in breach of contract, collection matters and sale of goods concerns. Her experience also includes representing a large utility company in eminent domain acquisition disputes spanning four counties. In the employment realm, Ashley defends against race, sex, and age discrimination claims, as well as claims of retaliation.
Ashley practices in federal and state court in the counties of Will, Grundy, Kane and Kendall.
Ashley was raised in Palatine, Illinois and now lives in Plainfield, Illinois. She graduated summa cum laude from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and a minor in Communications. Ashley earned her Juris Doctor, graduating cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law. Immediately following Ashley’s law school graduation, she worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Ashley is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Will County Bar Association, and Will County Women’s Bar Association. Additionally, she serves as President of Will County’s Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors and as Vice President on Illinois State Bar Association’s Insurance Law section council. Ashley is a proud big sister to an incredible young man in the Big Brother Big Sisters of Will and Grundy County program and a CASA Guardian ad Litem for CASA of Will County.
Ashley was named a 2020 and 2021 Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine.
Practice Areas:
Estate Planning and Probate
• Wills
• Powers of Attorney
• Trusts
• Trust Litigation
• Disabled Adult and Minor Guardianships
• Probate
• Probate litigation
• Small Estate Affidavits
Family Law
• Pre-Divorce Representation
• Post-Divorce Litigation
• Custody Issues
• Child Support Concerns
• Maintenance Concerns
• Business and Property Valuation
• Child Interstate Jurisdiction and Removal
Civil Litigation
• Personal Injury
• Premise Liability
• Commercial Disputes
• Breach of Contract Actions
• Employment Discrimination
• Property Litigation
• Insurance Coverage Concerns
• Eminent Domain
Education:
• University of Illinois College of Law, cum laude, Juris Doctor
• Northern Illinois University, summa cum laude, Bachelor of Science
TO CONTACT ASHLEY:
Email: abechtold@msclawfirm.com
Call: 815-730-9500 x119
Direct: 815-280-4873