Kristin Nieminski
attorney
Kristin Nieminski has been a partner at Koth Gregory & Nieminski (KGN) since 2010. Kristin has lived in Bloomington, Illinois for most of her adult life and will always cheer on her alma mater – Go Titans!
Kristin is passionate about helping people in Bloomington-Normal and the surrounding towns in McLean County, Illinois with their family law, probate and estate planning needs.
Kristin has developed a reputation as one of the premier family law attorneys in Illinois successfully litigating numerous high-profile divorce and child custody cases.
Contented divorce, custody, and child support cases require an experienced lawyer. Kristin has spent most of her career specifically helping people with family law cases in McLean County and the surrounding area.
By spending most of her time in the local family law courts, she has learned the local judges’ tendencies as well as the strengths and weaknesses of opposing attorneys.
In addition to handling all types of divorce and family law cases, Kristin is also a certified Guardian Ad Litem, which means that sometimes the court asks her to represent the best interests of a child when there are parenting disputes.
Kristin is also a certified Child Custody and Visitation (parental responsibilities) Mediator, a Financial Mediator, and an Arbitrator certified by the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois and McLean County Bar Association.
Kristin’s experience in these areas give her the edge over other family law attorneys who don’t have this wealth of experience.
She knows the details of each area of family law, can see the big picture, and sees how all the pieces fit together.
This allows her to better predict how the judge will decide certain issues and thus she can give clients sound advice on when to compromise and when to stand firm.
Kristin prefers to advise clients upfront about the strengths and weaknesses of their case. She will encourage clients not to waste time, money, and energy fighting over the issues over the clients are unlikely to win.
Most importantly, she will powerfully emphasize the facts and evidence that favor her clients on the essential issues of their case.
While Kristin is often tough in the court room, she shows compassion and empathy to her family law clients.
Whether the case issue involves divorce, property division, child custody, parental decision-making, visitation, parenting time, or alimony (maintenance/spousal support), Kristin recognizes how draining the process can be and is here to support and guide you.
Kristin understands that navigating the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming, and strives to ease the burden by providing clear, honest, and efficient legal support.
After a loved one passes, Kristin meets with the executor of the will or trustee of the trust to determine the next steps.
If the deceased person owned real estate or had over $100,000 at the time of their passing, then it is necessary to file a probate case.
If the deceased person did not own real estate and had less than $100,000 at the time of their passing, then it is possible to execute a small estate affidavit and avoid probate court.
Another way to avoid probate court is if the deceased person’s assets are owned by a trust.
Regardless of the situation, Kristin can advise clients on the next steps, file a probate case if necessary and litigate contested issues that arise.
Some cases don’t involve contested issues, but when an objection is raised, it is important to have an experienced litigator like Kristin.
Having an experienced litigator like Kristin can also give clients comfort knowing that the issues get resolved properly and they can focus on healing and finding peace with their loved one’s passing.
Early Career
Prior to joining Koth Gregory & Nieminski in January 2010, Kristin was a judicial law clerk for Judge Donald Bernardi as well as other judges of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court.
Kristin graduated Cum Laude from Illinois Wesleyan University in May 2005 with her B.A. and received her Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School located in Lansing, MI in 2008.
Kristin was honored to receive the Certificate of Merit for Estate Planning and was on the Dean’s List at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Background
Kristin’s compassion for helping others was instilled in her at a very young age and as a child she had a very unique experience of watching her uncle advocating in the courtroom and knew that was what she wanted to do as an adult.
Outside of the office, Kristin enjoys being an active member at church, spending time with family (especially her four nieces and nephews) and friends, traveling, volunteering, and playing the violin.
Associations
McLean County Bar Association (previously Executive Board Officer, Secretary and Co-Chair of the Young Lawyers Division)
Peoria County Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois Mediators Association
