Divorce Settlement Attorney Chicago

Divorce Settlement Attorney Chicago

If you are facing a divorce, you are very likely invested in settling your case out of court. Most couples would prefer to keep the decision-making power between themselves (even if that means considerable effort and negotiations). Because the terms of your divorce guide your future in important ways – including in relation to your parental and financial rights – having an experienced divorce settlement attorney in Chicago in your corner is in your best interests. 

Settling Your Divorce Out of Court

Many divorcing couples mistakenly believe that divorce settlement attorneys are only for those amicable divorces in which both spouses agree on every issue they could possibly agree on. The truth of the matter is that, regardless of how far apart you are in relation to the terms of your divorce, you are very likely – in the end – to settle outside of court. And along the way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so, including:

• Resolving whatever terms you can between yourselves (with the input of your respective divorce settlement attorneys)
• Allowing your respective divorce settlement attorneys to negotiate mutually acceptable terms between themselves (on behalf of each of your best interests)
• Attending mediation (or another form of alternative dispute resolution – ADR) – at which a professional mediator who is a neutral third-party will help you explore alternative resolutions to your unresolved divorce terms

The Advantages of Settling Your Divorce

Only after you’ve exhausted your negotiation options will you proceed to court, and working with a divorce settlement attorney can help keep your focus on finding middle ground with your divorcing spouse – rather than heading right toward court, which comes with all the following downsides:

• It’s more expensive overall.
• It’s more time-consuming in terms of getting on the court’s busy docket and in terms of carefully preparing for trial. 
• Your trial will become a matter of public record while some divorce settlement terms can remain private.  

The Terms of Your Divorce

The matters that you need to resolve in your divorce settlement will be unique to you and your marriage, but the basic categories of divorce terms don’t change, including (as applicable):

• The Division of Your Marital Property – Those properties and assets that you acquired during your years of marriage are considered marital property, and in the event of divorce, these assets must be distributed between you equitably (or fairly). 

• Parental Responsibilities, which includes Decision-Making and Parenting Time – Parental responsibilities, which includes decision-making and parenting time make up what you likely think of as your child custody arrangements. 

• Child Support – Child support is guided by the state’s careful calculation standards.  

• Maintenance/Alimony – Spousal maintenance or alimony applies taking the incomes of both spouses (or lack of income) along with the duration of the marriage into consideration (plus any child support obligations in place).

Turn to an Experienced Illinois Divorce Settlement Attorney in Chicago for the Legal Help You Need

The trusted divorce settlement attorneys at WARD FAMILY LAW in Chicago focus their practice on helping clients like you achieve favorable divorce settlements that support their rights and best interests. For more information, please don’t delay contacting us today.