Best Divorce Lawyers Downers Grove
Best Divorce Lawyers Downers Grove
Divorce represents a difficult time in the life of anyone who has to go through it, and protecting your parental and financial rights throughout the process is paramount. Fortunately, the best divorce lawyers in Downers Grove can help you with that.
Your Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time
If you and your divorcing spouse share children, the matter of your child custody arrangements, which are addressed in terms of parental responsibilities and parenting time in the State of Illinois, is critical. Â
Parental responsibilities determine how you and your ex will address the matter of making primary parenting decisions related to concerns such as the following:
- Your kids’ schooling
- The medical care your kids receive
- Your kids’ religious upbringing
- Your kid’s participation in extracurriculars and travel
Your options include:
- You and your ex can make each decision together.
- You and your ex can make each decision together, while one of you takes on the responsibility of breaking a tie if it becomes absolutely necessary to do so.Â
- You and ex can divide these decisions between you according to the category of decision that needs to be made.
- Either you or your ex can take on sole responsibility for making these primary parenting decisions.Â
Parenting time, on the other hand, sets the schedule by which your children will split their time between you and their other parent. Either one of you will have the children the majority of the time – becoming the primary custodial parent – or you will schedule your parenting time more evenly.Â
Child Support
Child support is the state’s means of ensuring that both you and your children’s other parent continue to support your shared children financially. Because child support is calculated according to each spouse’s relative financial ability to pay, the higher earner usually has the child support obligation (even if your parenting time schedules are balanced evenly.Â
The Division of Marital Property
While married, you and your spouse acquired assets, and each of them is considered marital property. Upon divorce, you’ll need to divide these assets – or their value – between you in a manner that is considered fair when the unique circumstances of your marriage are taken into careful consideration. This fair (or equitable) division of marital property does not necessarily mean that your assets will be divided between you equally.Â
Alimony
Divorce can leave one spouse financially disadvantaged while the other has the financial means to help balance this discrepancy. In these situations, alimony may be awarded. Alimony is generally set at an amount and for a duration that is intended to allow the recipient to gain the additional education, skills, or job training necessary to become more financially independent.Â
Turn to the Best Divorce Lawyers in Downers Grove for the Legal Guidance You’re Looking For
Cameron H. Goodman at Goodman Law Firm is one of the best divorce lawyers in Downers Grove, and he takes a keen personal interest in skillfully protecting the financial and parental rights of clients like you. Our compassionate legal team is on your side and here to help, so please don’t wait to reach out and contact us for more information 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.