Downers Grove Divorce Attorney
Downers Grove Divorce Attorney
Divorce involves plenty of emotional turmoil that can leave you unsure of where to turn for help, but if you are facing a divorce, it’s important to take care of business. Your divorce terms will directly affect your rights as a parent and your finances, which means you shouldn’t sit back and be a spectator in the process. If you are moving forward toward divorce, it’s time to reach out to an experienced Downers Grove divorce attorney for the legal help you need.Â
Your Parental Rights
If your divorce involves shared children, your parental rights will play an important role in your negotiations, and the terms that directly relate include the following:
- Parental responsibilities and parenting time (what you likely think of as child custody)
- Child support
Parental responsibilities relate to who will be making important decisions on behalf of your children, such as those related to the following:
- Your children’s education
- Your children’s religious upbringing
- Your children’s medical care and attention
- Your children’s extracurriculars
Parental responsibilities may be either sole or joint.Â
Parenting time relates to how your children will divide their time between you and your ex. If you and your divorcing spouse are able to negotiate a schedule that you are both willing to sign off on, the court is almost certain to accept it. If you need the court’s intervention, however, it will likely order one of its standard parenting time schedules. Parenting time can also be either sole or joint, but parents are rarely denied at least some form of visitation (without a compelling reason for doing so).Â
Child Support is the payment mechanism for ensuring that both parents live up to their responsibilities to support their children financially throughout their childhoods. These payments are calculated in accordance with state guidelines that take each parent’s income and number of overnights with the children into consideration.Â
Your Financial Rights
The terms that relate to your financial rights most directly include:
- The division of your marital property
- Alimony
The property that you and your spouse acquire while married (regardless of who makes the purchase or whose name is on it) is marital property that is to be divided fairly (under the circumstances that apply) in the event of divorce. The property that you bring into the marriage with you will typically remain separate property (if you kept it separate throughout your marriage). Â
Alimony, which is also called spousal support, is only ordered if one spouse will be unable to support himself or herself financially upon divorce and the other has the financial means to help. Generally, alimony is a temporary fix that is intended to allow the recipient time to become more financially independent. Â
Seek Experienced Legal Guidance from an Experienced Downers Grove Divorce Attorney
If you have come to the difficult conclusion that you need a divorce, the best path forward is with the professional legal counsel of a practiced divorce attorney on your side, and Cameron H. Goodman at Goodman Law Firm in Downers Grove is proud to help. Our accomplished legal team has a wealth of impressive experience successfully protecting the rights of clients like you, so please don’t hesitate to 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.