Best Divorce Attorney Elmhurst
Best Divorce Attorney Elmhurst
When it comes to divorce, your parental and financial rights are paramount. The terms of your divorce will play a profound role in your post-divorce future, which makes working closely with one of the best divorce attorneys in Elmhurst in your and your children’s best interests.Â
Parenting Time
Instead of child custody, Illinois courts deal with parenting time and significant decision-making responsibility. Parenting time determines when the children are with you in your home and when they are with their other parent in their home. A long list of relevant factors goes into determining parenting time orders, but the court is always guided by the children’s best interests.Â
The two basic options when it comes to parenting time include:
- The kids spend the majority of their overnights with one parent, making him or her the primary custodial parent.
- The kids divide their time relatively evenly between the homes of both parents.Â
Significant decision-making responsibility, on the other hand, determines who will be making the important, big-picture decisions for your children moving forward. Such decisions include matters related to the following:
- Your children’s schooling
- Your children’s healthcare needs
- Your children’s extracurricular activities and elective travel
- Your children’s religious upbringing
One parent can take on this responsibility on his or her own, or you can make the decisions jointly. There are also the options of one of you having tie-breaking authority or of dividing the responsibility according to the category of the decision being made.
Child Support
Both parents are required by law to support their children financially, and child support is the tool used to address the matter when parents are not together. While the state has a careful child support calculation methodology in place, the courts have the discretion to go outside these guidelines when warranted. Typically, the number of overnights each parent has with the children and each parent’s income are the primary factors involved. Even when parents split their overnights right down the middle, the parent who earns more generally pays child support.Â
The Division of Marital Property
When you were married, you and your spouse acquired assets, and these are considered marital property, which means they are owned by both of you. Upon divorce, these assets (or their corresponding values) will need to be split between the two of you in a manner that is deemed fair in relation to the circumstances.Â
Maintenance/Alimony
Maintenance (alimony or spousal support) is not a factor in every divorce. Only in those situations in which one spouse (the recipient of support) faces a divorce-related financial downturn, and the other spouse has the ability to help will alimony be ordered. Generally, alimony is ordered for a duration that is intended to allow the recipient the time he or she needs to gain greater financial independence through education, job training, or experience. Â
Turn to One of the Best Divorce Attorneys in Elmhurst for the Help You Need
Cameron H. Goodman at Goodman Law Firm in Elmhurst is a well-respected divorce attorney who takes great pride in his impressive track record of successfully guiding cases like yours toward beneficial resolutions. To learn more, please reach out and contact us today.
FAQs About Divorce in Illinois
What should I do if I have been served with divorce papers?
If you have received service of divorce papers, contact an experienced divorce attorney to review the documents, understand your rights, and plan your next steps. Time is critical in divorce proceedings, and having skilled legal counsel from the start can make all the difference.
How can I prepare for my initial consultation with a divorce attorney?
Bring documents such as financial records, prenuptial agreements, and a list of any questions you have. Be prepared to discuss your relevant goals and concerns openly and honestly. The more information you provide, the better we can assess your situation and develop a strategy that serves your best interests.
How are collaborative law, mediation, and negotiation different?
- Collaborative law is a structured process where both parties and their attorneys commit to resolving the divorce without going to court. It involves open communication and cooperation, with the goal of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.
- In mediation, a neutral third-party mediator facilitates discussions to help divorcing parties reach a mutual agreement. Rather than making decisions, the mediator guides the negotiation process toward productive outcomes.
- Negotiation involves discussions between the parties directly or their attorneys to settle divorce terms. Unlike mediation, there is no neutral third party.
What should I expect during the divorce process?
The process typically involves filing for divorce, exchanging information, negotiating terms, and finalizing the agreement. If negotiations fail, courtroom litigation will become part of the process.
What happens if my spouse refuses to cooperate during the divorce?
If your spouse is uncooperative, the court may have to intervene to resolve disputes. At Goodman Law Firm, our attorney has experience in handling contentious cases and will advocate for your interests even in circumstances where spousal cooperation is limited.