Bartlett, IL Divorce Attorneys

Lawyers Providing Legal Representation for Divorcing Spouses in Bartlett, Illinois

When you choose to get divorced, you may face a variety of challenges. In addition to the legal issues that will need to be addressed, you may encounter financial concerns, and the emotional fallout of your case could affect you and your family for years to come. Whether you have been married for decades or only a few years, the decisions made during your divorce can have long-lasting effects.

At Goostree Law Group, we provide effective, compassionate legal representation for clients in Bartlett who are going through the divorce process. We will provide you with steady legal support every step of the way, working to protect your interests while laying the foundation for the next chapter of your life.

Every divorce is different, and our attorneys will take the time to understand your needs and address your concerns. We will help you pursue constructive resolutions whenever possible, but we are also prepared to litigate complex issues when necessary. Whether your divorce is amicable or contentious, we will focus on guiding you through the legal process efficiently while helping you move forward with confidence.

The Illinois Divorce Process

The steps that will typically be followed during the divorce process include:

1. Filing a divorce petition with the appropriate circuit court
2. Serving the other spouse with legal notice of the divorce petition
3. Exchanging financial disclosures to ensure transparency when making decisions about how divorce-related issues will be handled
4. Negotiating a settlement that covers all outstanding issues, including property division, spousal support, child support, and the allocation of parental responsibilities
5. Attending court hearings or mediation sessions if necessary to resolve contested issues
6. Finalizing the divorce in court

Many couples are able to resolve their differences and reach an agreed settlement outside of court. However, if you and your spouse are unable to agree on a settlement, the court will hold hearings or a trial to make decisions based on the applicable laws and the facts of your case.

Uncontested Divorce

An uncontested divorce can provide a more streamlined and cost-effective path if you and your spouse are willing to work together to reach agreements on divorce-related matters. You can use mediation to reach agreements, or you may engage in negotiations along with your respective attorneys, working to create a fair and comprehensive settlement. The settlement can then be submitted to the court for approval.

While an uncontested divorce can be faster and less expensive, it will still require careful attention to the legal details of your case. Our lawyers can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure that your rights will be protected throughout the process. If you are involved in a high-conflict divorce, we will advise you of your options for conducting negotiations, and if necessary, we can provide representation in a divorce trial.

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

Key Issues to Address Before Your Divorce Can Be Finalized

Regardless of whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, certain legal issues must be resolved before the court can issue a final judgment. These include:

Division of Marital Property

During the property division process, all of your marital property must be divided fairly and equitably. Your marital property will include all assets and debts acquired by either spouse during the marriage, such as:

• Your family home or other real estate property
• Bank accounts
• Retirement accounts and pensions
• Investments
• Vehicles
• Business interests
• Personal property
• Credit card debts and other loans

Our attorneys can advise you on which assets will need to be considered during your divorce. If necessary, we can work with you to evaluate different assets, such as by performing a business valuation. We can help you take steps to negotiate a settlement that will fully detail how marital property will be allocated between you and your spouse.

Spousal Maintenance

Spousal support may be an issue to address during your divorce if one spouse will be unable to fully support themselves after your marriage ends. Spousal maintenance is not awarded in every case, and it will usually only be a factor if one spouse earns a higher income than the other. Our lawyers can advise you on whether you may receive or pay spousal maintenance, and we will work to ensure that the proper arrangements will be put in place while addressing your ongoing financial needs.

Child-Related Matters

In a divorce involving children, you and your spouse will need to address matters related to parenting and financial support. The court will require you to create a parenting plan that will outline how parental responsibilities will be shared while addressing other issues related to your children.

A parenting plan may include:

• A detailed parenting time schedule
• Decisions about the allocation of parental responsibilities, including how you and the other parent will make decisions related to medical care, education, extracurricular activities, and religious practices
• Details regarding transportation arrangements
• Rules for ongoing communication between parents
• Procedures for resolving future disagreements
• Other rules related to parenting that will be followed in the years to come

Child support orders will also be established to ensure that both parents will continue to contribute to your children's ongoing needs. The amounts that will be paid will be calculated using guidelines in Illinois law, which take both parents' incomes into account. You and the other parent may also be required to divide various child-related expenses.

Our attorneys can help you negotiate a parenting plan that will work for your family, providing a framework for successful co-parenting in the years after your divorce is finalized. We can also help ensure that child support will be calculated correctly so that your children's needs will be met while also considering your own financial stability.