Divorce Lawyers in Chicago Illinois including Family Lawyers and Child Custody Lawyers are skilled, experienced, compassionate and dedicated to helping their clients with the complex legal issues involved in their divorce or separation case. Divorce can have lasting effects that impact your life and your children’s lives. For this reason, you want to find a Chicago family law attorney who will take the time to understand your unique situation and help you get the best result possible.
In Illinois, the process of legally dissolving a marriage is known as “divorce.” It starts when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the local court. The other spouse is then served with these papers and has a 30-day period to respond. During this time, the courts address a variety of problems, such as property division, child custody, and spousal support.
A good divorce attorney will help you with all aspects of your divorce or separation, including explaining your legal rights and obligations, determining what property is subject to division (including real estate, financial accounts, personal possessions), and deciding on appropriate support or maintenance arrangements. A qualified family law attorney will also assist with resolving any disputes that arise during the divorce proceedings and, if necessary, litigate your case in court.
If you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement on all outstanding issues, you can choose to resolve your case through mediation, which involves attending a conference with your spouse and their attorneys where the Judge makes a non-binding recommendation. You may also choose to have a trial in which the Judge decides the case.
For couples with children, some of the most difficult and contentious issues are those related to custody and visitation. Although many states have changed their laws to call these issues allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, Illinois still uses the terms custody and visitation. In Illinois, the courts prioritize the child’s well-being and try to make decisions that will provide the same standard of living that both parents enjoyed prior to the divorce.
In some cases, your spouse will refuse to cooperate and be uncooperative during the divorce process. If this occurs, you should hire a seasoned, aggressive Chicago divorce lawyer who is prepared to fight for your rights and interests in court. FindLaw’s directory can connect you with trusted family lawyers who can guide you through your case and ensure that your rights are protected.