Family Law

• Divorce
  Our practice covers the major family law issues including divorce, property settlement and child custody matters, but also offers experience in areas including prenuptial agreements, paternity actions, modifications, adoption, and post-judgment proceedings. See www.carnine.net for more information and answers to frequently asked questions surrounding divorce and family law matters.
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Adoption
• Paternity
• Premarital Agreement
• Guardianship
  We also provide legal services needed to administer estates and trusts, which can include the probate of an estate and representation of beneficiaries. Upon the death of a decedent, we provide assistance to executors and trustees on the decision to probate an estate, the inventory and accounting of assets, distributions to beneficiaries and any other actions that may be required. Legal assistance can also be provided to establish a guardianship over a minor child or a disabled adult, as well as provide counsel to guardians and/or wards.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
• Business Disputes
  Our firm represents individuals and businesses with their general civil practice and business litigation needs. We handle contract disputes and litigation, liens and lien foreclosures, damage claims, employment issues, real estate taxation, forcible entry and detainer, and various other civil practice matters. We also handle appeals and frequently act as local counsel in Southern Illinois.
• Limited Liability Companies
  We assist with the formation of business entities, including corporations and limited liability companies; as well as the sale, merger and acquisitions of ongoing businesses. We also provide general representation to business clients necessary for the ongoing operation and maintenance of their businesses, including the drafting and negotiation of contracts and well as general counsel and advice.

Employment Law

• Employment Litigation
  Our firm represents various municipalities as attorney of record, assisting our clients with transactions, ordinance drafting, employment issues, governance, and litigation (ordinance enforcement, demolition actions, etc.).

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Our firm handles every aspect of real estate law for both local and out-of-state individuals and companies. We perform legal services in the area of negotiations, document preparation, document examination, title examination, zoning and other activities related to the sale and purchase of real property. We also prosecute and defend real estate litigation such as mortgage foreclosures, lien foreclosures, title issues, reformation, partition, contract enforcement and the like. Our firm is also a member of Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. and is an authorized issuer of title insurance policies for the company. Title examination and issuance of title commitments and policies on real estate transactions is handled for individuals, companies, and lenders.
• Premises Liability
  We handle a wide variety of insurance defense cases including coverage disputes, declaratory judgment actions, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, municipal liability, dram shop liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist arbitration, product liability and professional liability. Repeat business may be the best indication of our commitment to delivering outstanding service, and we are proud to have handled thousands of cases in Southern Illinois. Jerome McDonald is the primary attorney handling civil defense cases. He has tried 150 cases to verdict and handled dozens of appeals. Mr. McDonald is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. Our attorneys include members of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel.
• Real Estate Transactions
• Land Use and Zoning

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Our personal injury practice is designed to obtain compensation for injury to your person. There are unlimited ways to become injured, the foremost being, traffic accidents, premises liability and defective products. Our attorneys and staff provide a unique perspective from which to evaluate your case, empathize and pursue your recovery. We initially negotiate with the opposing party or insurance company, and if necessary, proceed to trial. Please contact us for a FREE consultation.
• Auto Accidents

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Black, Ballard, McDonald, P.C. is a Southern Illinois law firm with 250 years of combined legal experience, including our long history of serving our many coal, oil and gas clients in the Illinois Basin. As one of the largest law firms in the region, we are pleased to assist you with your legal needs. Our extensive experience in mineral law, civil litigation, estate planning and various other areas of civil practice provides our many business and individual clients with exceptional legal counsel and results.
• Wills
• Trusts
• Power of Attorney
  We provide estate planning assistance to clients, which often includes the execution of a will or trust, power of attorney for health care and power of attorney for property. Some of the many planning considerations can include estate and gift tax planning, business succession planning and probate avoidance.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
• Foreclosure
  Our firm represents several local banks as well as some regional and national banks. We provide our banking clients with representation concerning almost all aspects of their business, including mortgage foreclosures, loan document preparation and analysis, transactional advice, secured property, title examinations, replevin and various other matters. We also represent our banking clients in litigation.
• Tax Law