Divorce Attorney 60614

Divorce Attorney 60614

If you’re facing a divorce, your parental and financial rights are vulnerable, and taking a proactive position is always advised. This includes becoming better acquainted with divorce laws in Illinois and working closely with an experienced divorce attorney in the 60614 zip code. 

Property Division

Every divorcing couple must address the primary concern of property division. Those assets that belonged to you or your spouse prior to marriage can be considered non-marital, separate assets that generally remain the property of the original owner upon divorce. Any assets that either of you or both of you together acquired while you were married, however, are viewed as marital assets, which must be divided between you fairly upon divorce. Many factors go into this fair division, but some of the basics include the following:

• Each spouse’s age 
• Each spouse’s economic circumstances 
• The length of the marriage 
• The tax implications of the proposed division 
• Marital debts

Parental Responsibilities, including Decision-Making and Parenting Time

Illinois addresses child custody arrangements in terms of parental responsibilities, which correlate with decision-making and parenting time, which correlates with entry of an Allocation Judgment. Parental responsibilities determine how the parents will address primary parenting decisions related to:

• Where the children make their primary home
• The schools and daycares the children attend
• The health care the children receive
• The extracurriculars and travel the children participate in
• The religious instruction the children receive

The decision-making aspect of parental responsibilities can be sole or joint. 

At the other end of parental responsibilities is the allocation of parenting time; that refers to the schedule each parent has on a day-to-day basis, including overnights, weekends, holidays, special occasions and the like. One parent may take on the primary custodial role while the other has considerably fewer overnights with the children, or you can split the overnights more evenly. 

Child Support

Even when parents divide their parenting time straight down the middle, the matter of child support must be addressed. While the amount of time each parent spends with the children is an important factor, each parent’s earnings also play a significant role in the calculation process. Generally, the higher earner is required to make child support payments that are based on both parent earnings – in addition to a range of other factors – to the other parent. Illinois has an income shares model and an experienced attorney can guide you through the calculation process during any divorce or paternity proceeding.

Alimony/Spousal Maintenance

In Illinois, alimony is called spousal maintenance, and it refers to payments made by one ex to the other. Alimony is based on many factors, including the recipient’s financial need in relation to the payor’s ability to pay. Maintenance (also known as alimony) is generally set for a duration and an amount that is meant to allow the recipient the opportunity to gain the education or job skills necessary to become more self-sufficient financially.   Other factors to consider include the duration of the marriage, employment, allocation of the marital estate and the like.

Turn to an Experienced Divorce Attorney in the 60614 Zip for the Help You’re Looking For

The trusted Illinois divorce attorneys at WARD FAMILY LAW, LLC – proudly serving the 60614 zip code area – appreciate the significance of your divorce in your life and have the impressive experience and compassion to help. Your divorce terms are important to you and your children, and we are committed to skillfully advocating for terms that work for you. To learn more, please contact us today.