Elmhurst, Illinois Divorce Attorneys

Lawyers for Contested or Uncontested Divorce Cases in Elmhurst

In the United States, the number of marriages that end in divorce continues to be high. Those who are going through a divorce may need to address many different legal issues, and their finances, their relationships with their children and other family members, and many other areas of their lives will be affected as well. Whether the end of a marriage is amicable or involves deeply contested disputes, it is important for a person to make the right decisions during the divorce process so that they will be able to dissolve their marriage successfully.

As you take steps to complete your divorce, having a knowledgeable, compassionate lawyer by your side can make all the difference in your case. At Goostree Law Group, our attorneys are here to help you understand the issues that will need to be addressed during your divorce and the steps you can take to protect your rights. We will work with you to develop a strategy to achieve your goals for your divorce.

Call 630-584-4800 and let us help your family.

Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce in Illinois

The path your divorce takes will depend on whether you and your spouse can reach agreements on the issues that need to be resolved or whether you may encounter conflict. You will generally have two options as you work to dissolve your marriage:

Uncontested Divorce

In an uncontested divorce, the spouses will reach agreements on all of the major issues involved in ending their marriage. This does not mean that they will not encounter any disagreements or conflicts, but they will work to resolve these issues and create a settlement that is satisfactory for both parties. When a couple can negotiate agreements outside of court, the divorce process will often move more quickly while reducing expenses.

Once a divorce settlement is reached, it can be filed in court, and the couple will attend a hearing where a judge will finalize their case and issue a divorce decree. Our attorneys can help clients negotiate comprehensive divorce settlement agreements that will protect their interests, meet all legal requirements, and help to avoid future disputes.

Contested Divorce

In situations where spouses cannot reach agreements on one or more issues involved in their case, this is known as a contested divorce. These cases are often more complex and time-consuming. As divorce litigation proceeds, multiple hearings in court may be required, and a trial may eventually be held.

Our legal team has the experience and resources needed to handle complex contested divorce cases. We can advocate for clients during divorce trials in DuPage County courts, and we will work to achieve resolutions that will protect their interests.

Issues Addressed During an Illinois Divorce

Division of Marital Property

A divorce will involve a variety of financial issues, and many of these will be related to how a couple's property will be divided. Marital property, which includes all of the property that was acquired during a marriage, must be divided fairly and equitably. Separate property, which may include assets either spouse owned before getting married, will not be subject to division.

Our attorneys work to ensure that all marital assets are properly identified and valued. We can assist with settlement negotiations, working to ensure that the division of marital property will protect our client's interests and meet their ongoing needs.

Spousal Support (Maintenance)

Illinois law allows spousal support to be awarded when one spouse does not have enough income or financial resources to maintain the lifestyle that the couple had while married. In most cases, spousal maintenance will be paid in situations where one party earns a lower income and has relied on the other party to support their family.

Our lawyers can help clients understand whether maintenance is likely to be an issue in a divorce case. We can help clients who need financial assistance demonstrate their eligibility for spousal support, or we can provide representation for a person who is being asked to pay support, ensuring that the final arrangements will protect their financial interests.

Child Custody and Parenting Arrangements

When a divorcing couple has children, decisions about parenting may be some of the most important issues that will need to be addressed. Parents will establish a parenting plan, which will detail the ways they will make decisions about different parental responsibilities, the days and times when children will spend parenting time in each parent's custody, and other issues related to how a couple's children will be raised. Arrangements will also be made for child support, ensuring that parents will share the costs involved in raising their children.

Our attorneys can provide guidance on how to ensure that a parenting plan will meet the needs of a family. We work to ensure that the decisions our clients make will be based on their children's best interests, and we will take steps to protect their parental rights. Our goal is to put solutions in place that will allow co-parents to work together to raise their children successfully.