Wayne, Illinois Divorce Lawyers

Attorneys for Asset Division, Child-Related Issues, and Financial Support in Wayne Divorce Cases

Getting a divorce is a significant life change. While divorce may be necessary when your marriage has broken down, the legal and financial issues that you will need to address as you take steps to terminate your marriage can lead to a great deal of stress and uncertainty.

At Goostree Law Group, we help clients in Wayne, Illinois reduce the stress involved in getting a divorce and navigate the complex issues that they may encounter. We work closely with clients to understand their priorities, advise them of the steps they can take to reach their goals, and provide effective representation throughout the legal process. We approach every case with professionalism and an attention to detail, helping clients make informed decisions that will help to protect their futures.

Important Concerns to Address in a Divorce

Before a divorce can be finalized, spouses must address several key legal and financial matters, including:

• Child Custody and Parenting Time: During the divorce process, parents will develop a parenting plan that outlines how they will share custody of their children. This plan will detail how they will make decisions related to children's medical care and treatment, educational matters, religious upbringing, and extracurricular activities. It will also include a schedule specifying when children will live or stay with each parent. Most parenting plans allow for joint custody, but our attorneys can advocate for sole custody in cases where there may be concerns about children's safety or well-being.
• Asset and Debt Division: The property a couple has acquired during their marriage, such as homes, vehicles, savings, retirement accounts, family businesses, and personal property, will need to be divided in a manner that is considered to be fair and equitable. Debts such as loans and credit card balances will also need to be addressed.
• Spousal Maintenance: Financial support may be awarded if one spouse would be unable to provide for their needs and maintain their standard of living after the marriage ends. When determining whether spousal support should be paid, courts may look at factors such as the income and earning capacity of each spouse, the contributions made by each party to the household and to each other's careers, and sacrifices that a spouse has made, such as being a stay-at-home parent rather than pursuing career advancement.
• Child Support: Parents will need to divide the costs involved in raising their children. Illinois law provides guidelines for calculating support using the incomes earned by both parents. This is meant to ensure that children will receive financial support at a level that is similar to what they would have received if the parents had not separated. Additional expenses may also need to be considered when establishing child support orders, including educational expenses, child care, medical insurance, and extracurricular activities.

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

Unique Considerations in a High Net Worth Divorce

When one or both spouses earn a high income, or a couple owns significant assets, the financial concerns involved in a divorce can become more complex. In a high net worth divorce, the following concerns may require special attention:

• Business ownership and valuation
• Multiple real estate holdings
• Investment portfolios
• Executive compensation packages
• Tax liabilities
• Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
• Hidden or undervalued assets

Our attorneys help clients protect their financial interests in high asset divorce cases by working with forensic accountants, business valuation experts, and other financial professionals. We will take steps to ensure that all property is identified correctly, valued accurately, and considered during settlement negotiations.

Options for Resolving Disputes During Divorce

For many couples, the goal during divorce will be to reduce conflict and resolve issues as quickly and efficiently as possible. Alternative dispute resolution methods can be used to negotiate agreements without the need to go to court. Our attorneys can advise clients on the options that are available, including:

• Negotiation: In many cases, spouses and their attorneys can work directly to negotiate a settlement that addresses property division, financial support, and child custody issues. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators who can help clients protect their interests.
• Collaborative Law: In a collaborative divorce, each spouse will hire an attorney, and the couple will agree to work together to resolve all issues without going to court. The process may involve meetings with financial planners, mental health professionals, or child specialists to help the couple reach agreements that will work for everyone involved. Our attorneys understand the best ways to use the collaborative process to resolve issues effectively.
• Mediation: A couple may agree to work together with a neutral mediator who will help them address and resolve the outstanding issues in their case. While the mediator will guide a couple through negotiations, all decisions will be made by the parties rather than the negotiator. Mediation can be particularly helpful when spouses want to maintain a respectful relationship after their divorce.

We can help clients choose the most effective strategy for their situation. When agreements can be reached outside of court, this can help to reduce conflict and achieve a satisfactory resolution more quickly.