Joshua E. Stern, Divorce & Family Law Attorney

Joshua E. Stern, Esq. is a principal and the managing partner of Stern Perkoski Mendez. As a dedicated family law practitioner, his goal is to help families through difficult transitions and act as a source of stability throughout the legal process.

Whether you are preparing to marry or are leaving your marriage behind, Joshua provides the legal expertise you need while lending an empathetic ear and remaining sensitive to the individual needs of each and every one of his clients. Because every matter is unique, Joshua takes the time to listen to what his clients want and outline their options, so they know what to expect as their matter progresses.

Despite his extensive litigation experience, Joshua believes most cases can be settled out of court. A talented negotiator, Joshua knows how to strategize and advocate for his clients’ position without creating unnecessary antagonism.

Joshua started his boutique family law firm, The Law Offices of Joshua E. Stern, in 2013. The firm merged in 2020 with The Law Offices of Nancy Stingle Perkoski to form Stern Perkoski Mendez—allowing for expanded divorce and family law services that serve clients across Cook County and the North Shore, as well as Lake and Will Counties. In 2022, Stern Perkoski Mendez welcomed partner Jason Shore and opened an office in DuPage County—and expanded to offer immigration law services.

A respected authority on family law and matrimonial issues, Joshua is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, Divorce Magazine, New York Magazine and Your Tango. His articles have been featured in Since My Divorce, Divorce Force, Support for Stepdads and other well-known platforms.

Divorce & Family Law Services

• Attorney-Assisted Mediation
• Child Relocation and Removal
• Child Support
• Divorce (Dissolution of Marriage)
• Divorce Litigation
• Enforcement of Judgments
• High Net Worth Divorce
• LGBTQ+ (Same-Sex) Divorce
• Maintenance (Alimony)
• Modification of Judgments
• Negotiated Divorce Settlements
• Parental Allocation (Sole and Joint Custody)
• Paternity
• Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
• Property Division in Divorce
• Uncontested and Amicable Divorce

Education

Joshua received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law where he served as a Notes and Comments Editor for Emory’s International Law Journal, a case worker for Student Legal Services and the President of the Emory Law School Democrats. Joshua received his B.S. in Economics from DePaul University’s College of Commerce. Prior to attending law school, Joshua worked as a field economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Bar Admissions & Associations

Joshua is admitted to practice in Illinois. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and West Suburban Bar Association.

Awards

• Super Lawyers Rising Star 2018 – 2025
  • Awarded by Illinois Super Lawyers, the designation is granted to the top 2.5% of lawyers under 40 years of age in Illinois
• Emerging/Leading Lawyers Lawyers 2019 – 2024
  • Awarded by the Law Bulletin, Emerging Lawyers are made up of the top 2% percent of lawyers who are 40 years of age or under in Illinois
• Best Lawyers In America 2024, 2025
• Expertise.com Top 22 Divorce Lawyers In Chicago 2017, 2018, 2019

Appellate Decisions

• Ivey v. Ivey, 2012 IL App (1st) 12-0859U
• Hort v. Hort, 2022 IL App (1st) 200360-U
• Kattner v. Kattner, 2023 Ill App (1st) 220803-U

Blog Posts

• “Preparing for a Divorce Appeal”, February 19, 2024
• “How do I appeal my divorce?”, January 3, 2024
• “Dividing Restricted Stock Units in Divorce”, May 17, 2023
• “How Are Pensions Split in Divorce?”, March 30, 2023
• “Child Endangerment: You Don’t Have to Face it Alone”, March 10, 2023
• “Do I Need Discernment Counseling?”, January 25, 2023
• “Abuse of Parenting Time”, September 23, 2022
• “How Do I Protect My Small Business in Divorce?”, July 19, 2022
• “How to Decide Summertime Parenting Schedules”, June 30, 2022
• “How does my 401(k) get split in divorce?”, February 7, 2022
• “Transmutation of Assets in a High Net Worth Divorce”, September 28, 2021
• “Does Child Support Cover School Fees?”, September 23, 2021
• “Different Ways to Handle Parenting Time During a Divorce”, August 25, 2021
• “What Role Do Divorce Lawyers Play In Mediation?”, July 27, 2020
• “How To Prepare For Divorce”, February 18, 2020

Quoted

• “Divorcing couples are required to take a parenting class in 16 states. Here’s how it works — and why some question their effectiveness.”
  Yahoo! Life, April 12, 2023
• “I’m a Stay-at-Home Parent and My Husband Just Walked Out on Us”
  New York Magazine, January 27, 2022
• “Happily ever after in the Prairie State? Experts examine Illinois’ low divorce rates”
  Daily Northwestern: February 26, 2020
• “Divorced Women Could Revert To Maiden Name More Easily Under Proposed Law Change”Chicago Tribune: June 19, 2019
• “Evaluate Law School Career Services”U.S. News and World Report: July 28, 2017
• “The GOP Plan to Roll Back Medicaid Might Force More Couples to Get Divorced”
  Washington Post: March 16, 2017
• “7 Often Overlooked Provisions to Include in Your Parenting Plan”
  Custody X Change: March 2017
• “How To Find The Best Divorce Lawyer: 15 Experts Share Their Opinion”
  Split Corner: October 20, 2016
• “Should You Add a ‘Lifestyle Clause’ To Your Prenup? (Or Are They Just For Celebrities?)”
  Huffington Post: July 22, 2016
• “12 Things to Do Before Starting a Business”
  Business News Daily: June 2, 2016

Publications

• “7 Top Tips For Newly Graduated Lawyers”
  Lawyer Monthly, June 20, 2017
• “The One Thing Your Divorce Lawyer Shouldn’t Be Pushing You To Do”
  HuffPost, April 25, 2017
• “Should You Have An Expense Account With Your Ex After Divorce”
  Divorce Force, February 16, 2017
• “The Co-Parenting Cheat Sheet: Issues You Should Think About While Negotiating Your Divorce”
  Huffington Post, January 30, 2017
• “Is Your Divorce Lawyer Overcharging You?”
  Divorce Girl Smiling, January 16, 2017
• “Pet Visitation: Is It Worth The Trouble”
  Divorce Magazine, January 13, 2017
• “5 Tips For Divorcing A Narcissist”
  Your Tango: October 20, 2016
• “5 Reasons You May Not Want To Date Until You’re Divorced”
  Your Tango: October 12, 2016
• “5 Questions Clients Should Ask (But Never Do) About Attorney Billing”
  Huffington Post: October 3, 2016
• “How a Pet Can Heal Your Heart and Head When Divorcing”
  Divorced Moms: September 21, 2016
• “5 Pieces Of Parenting Advice To Help Children Adjust Post-Divorce”
  Huffington Post: September 14, 2016
• “Parenting Isn’t A Right”
  Since My Divorce: March 29, 2013
• “A Stepfather-Stepchild Relationship – Eight Tips”
  Support for Stepdads: February 4, 2013
• “Managing Debt While Contemplating Divorce”
  Financial Planning Tips: 2013

Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, “Strategies For Divorcing A Narcissist” – The Lilac Tree –  February 20, 2020
• Guest Lecturer, Conflict Resolution Training – May 15, 2018
• Table Ambassador, Divorce University – March 4, 2018
• Guest Lecturer, Conflict Resolution Training – October 14, 2016
• Guest Lecturer, Conflict Resolution Training – September 1, 2015
• Speaker, “Addiction and Mental Illness In Divorce” – The Lilac Tree – June 12, 2014

Charitable Organizations

• The Lilac Tree – Board Member
• Jewish United Fund