As you know, getting a divorce is a life-changing decision that isn’t taken lightly. As such, it’s important to be as prepared as possible when you start this process. Not only is it important to work with excellent divorce lawyers in Chicago, but you can also learn some basics about Illinois divorce laws before your initial consultation.
In the Land of Lincoln, the legal term for a divorce is a “dissolution of marriage.” The state’s laws govern who can obtain a divorce, how to allocate parenting time and decision-making, and the fair and equitable division of marital property.
To dissolve a marriage in Illinois, one or both spouses must have lived in the state for at least 90 days prior to starting divorce proceedings. Neither you nor your spouse must prove who is to blame for the end of the marriage, as Illinois is strictly a no-fault divorce state.
Instead, the couple must prove that there are “irreconcilable differences.” The couple must live separately and apart from one another for at least six months before filing.
For divorcing couples with children, making decisions on the care of the children can be especially contentious. There are two types of custody in Illinois: physical and legal. Physical custody refers to the time in which the child is in a parent’s care, which is known as parenting time. Legal custody is the right to make major decisions about the child’s life, such as where to go to school and medical decisions.
Attorneys and Judges use a specific equation to determine how much each parent must contribute toward child support and contributions to the child-related expenses This is primarily based on the income of each parent, parenting time allocation, and the number of children.
Whereas some states try to divide marital property as closely to 50/50 as possible, Illinois divorce laws allow for much more leeway in these decisions. Instead, Illinois courts aim for equity in property division. Some factors that affect how much a spouse gets include:
It’s important to have a lawyer that can negotiate and litigate for every asset you deserve.
When it comes time to hire divorce lawyers in Chicago, do not take the decision lightly. Read about each firm’s experience and dedication to helping you obtain your goals. If you believe the WARD FAMILY LAW, LLC firm may be the best fit for you, contact us today to set up your free initial consultation.
I'm so thankful that I found Jennifer and her awesome team to help me with my divorce! It was incredibly stressful and scary to go through this process, especially with two little ones, but she has given me the support and confidence that I need. She is extremely intelligent, level-headed, supportive, and reasonable! I was anxious in the beginning thinking that I would have to go to court, but she gave me the peace of mind that I needed to get thru it and not be anxious. I would highly recommend her to anyone going through this difficult process. I…
She is a nice lawyer. She helped me to fix my passport issue among other things, including family problems.
Initially, I'd thought to navigate through troubled waters on my own in the divorce process due to the cost. I hadn't before needed representation in any court case, and, not being familiar with the costs involved in having a lawyer, I was worried about moving forward with one. My fear was the expense. I felt comfortable with Jennifer Ward from the moment I first spoke with her - contacting her to set up a consultation costs you nothing. In the end, the retainer and fees spent to end my case on a high note were worth every penny. They sent…
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