Katherine Delgado, Estate Planning, Divorce & Family Law Attorney
Katherine “Kat” Delgado is a partner at Stern Mendez where she practices trust and estate planning, probate litigation and family law. With degrees in law, taxation, and marriage and family counseling, Kat brings a unique blend of legal insight, financial acumen and empathy to her work.
Kat is especially passionate about the intersection of trust and probate litigation and family law, two areas that might seem distinct but often share similar emotional stakes: family dynamics, legacy planning and care for children. Her goal in both is the same—to help clients thoughtfully achieve realistic outcomes while considering how the non-legal consequences of legal actions will impact their lives for years to come.
Kat’s professional path was shaped from an early age. Her mother is a family law attorney, and Kat grew up watching people navigate deeply personal transitions. This experience inspired her to pursue an education and career where she can provide people going through difficult times with support and common-sense advice. Whether guiding clients through divorce or resolving family conflict in probate, she’s known for using her shared lived experiences to ask the right questions, prioritize children’s needs and help clients move forward with confidence.
Kat believes in always brining authenticity to the table, and her clients value her for her relatability, humanity and collaborative approach. Her work is also shaped by a strong sense of community responsibility. She has served as a court-appointed attorney for juveniles, mentored young women, is deeply invested in public education and believes in opening doors for others wherever she can.
Kat is proud to be part of Stern Mendez and to work with a team that shares her commitment to collaboration and always putting the client first.
Estate Planning Services
- Asset Protection
- Corporate Planning
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship
- Probate and Estate Administration
- Trust Administration
- Trust and Estate Litigation
Divorce & Family Law Services
- Adoption Law
- Attorney-Assisted Mediation
- Child Relocation and Removal
- Child Support
- Divorce (Dissolution of Marriage)
- Divorce Litigation
- Domestic Violence
- 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 & Experience
Kat completed her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law, a Master of Science in Marriage & Family Counseling from St. Thomas University and a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Washington. As a lifelong learner and advocate, Kat is also a Collaborative Divorce Illinois Fellow, a Certified Mediator, and a Child Representative and Guardian ad Litem in Cook County, Illinois.
Bar Admissions & Associations
Kat is admitted to practice in Illinois. She is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and federally licensed in the Northern District of Illinois. She also serves as a member in the following professional organizations:
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- DuPage County Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association: Women & The Law Committee Member
- Illinois State Bar Association: Standing Committee on Judicial Evaluations – Cook County
- Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
Publications & Presentations
Parenting in a Digital World: LinkedIn talk with Elisabeth Gavin
Charitable Organizations
- Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) Board Member
- Girl Scouts Volunteer
- School Board Member of Community Consolidated School District (CCSD) 62