Get A Roadmap For Your Divorce

Filing or receiving a divorce petition in Illinois can be a stressful and emotional process. Many people are unsure what processes a divorce can involve and how a divorce is resolved. This page outlines the elements involved in an Illinois divorce filing.

There are two kinds of Illinois divorce filings: contested and uncontested divorce. A contested divorce filing occurs when both parties cannot agree on aspects of separation and must now take their case to the family court. An uncontested divorce, also called “dissolution of marriage,” involves both parties creating an agreement outside of the courtroom. A knowledgeable attorney can protect your interests no matter your type of divorce filing.

Divorce And Other Disputes Can Go Hand-In-Hand

A divorce can involve many types of legal disputes, including issues involving:

• Property division: Divorcing spouses must equitably split property, vehicles, debts and other assets. Determining who receives what marital property is a complex question that depends on the marriage length, property value and many other elements.
• Child custody agreements: Child custody, now called allocation of parental duties, involves the time a child spends with each parent and where the child will live. The law requires that these agreements must benefit the best needs of the child.
• Spousal maintenance: Spousal support, also called alimony, is a payment from one spouse to another after a divorce. These payments can vary in length and amount depending on the duration of the marriage, a spouse’s marketable skills and a few other elements.
• Business divorce: If one or both parties in a divorce own a business, they may need to either sell their share or create an operational agreement. The business will need to have its value determined and the parties must agree on how the division could work.

At the end of a divorce most people end up with two documents, a divorce settlement agreement and a parenting plan. These documents outline the legal agreements between the divorcing parties and provide a plan for how they will raise their children. Even with an agreement, post-decree litigation may lead to changes in these documents.

Talk To A Trusted Legal Professional About Your Divorce

You can call Reich, Jumbeck, Stole & Reeb, LLP, to discuss your divorce filing with a knowledgeable lawyer. Our Joliet office gives people in Will, Kendall, DuPage and Grundy counties effective family law representation based on our over 75 years of combined legal experience. Call us now at 815-770-2669 or send us an email to set up your initial meeting.