Westmont, Illinois Family Law Attorneys
"Tricia was fantastic to work with. She was extremely responsive, efficient and made the process smooth and stress-free. Everything was handled quickly and thoroughly. I highly recommend her."
Supportive Lawyers for Divorce and Custody Cases in Westmont
Divorce and child custody matters can take significant time and effort to resolve. These issues also tend to be highly sensitive, leading to more conflict when parties cannot reach an agreement on their own. If you need help resolving one of these cases, consider reaching out to a Westmont family law attorney today.
At Goostree Law Group, we have earned over 100 positive reviews from clients we have assisted with difficult and complex family matters. When you work with our firm, you can take comfort knowing that you will be helped by a trusted, experienced legal team, as Attorney Tricia D. Goostree has been named as a Best Lawyer for multiple years in a row.
Call 630-584-4800 and let us help your family.
Representation in Westmont Divorces
Divorce is not only the end of a marriage. It is also a legal process that can reshape finances, parenting schedules, housing, and future plans. In Westmont divorces, spouses may need to address property division, debt, spousal maintenance, child support, child custody, and retirement accounts.
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. A spouse does not need to demonstrate misconduct to get divorced. The legal ground is irreconcilable differences. Even so, the details of the marriage still matter. The length of the marriage, each spouses income, childcare duties, business interests, and the value of marital assets can all affect the outcome.
Many divorces settle before trial. Settlement can give both sides more control and may reduce stress. Still, a fair settlement requires clear information. Before signing an agreement, a spouse should understand the full marital estate, the parenting terms, and the long-term effect of the proposed order.
Concerned About Child Custody?
When parents separate, the childs day-to-day life often becomes the central concern. Parents may worry about where the child will sleep, who will handle school pickups, how holidays will be shared, and whether one parent will be pushed out of the childs routine. These fears are serious, especially when communication between the parents has already broken down.
A parenting dispute should be approached with specific facts. Courts usually want to know who has been handling meals, homework, doctor visits, school communication, activities, bedtime routines, and transportation. A parent who wants a strong role in the childs life should be ready to show steady involvement and a workable plan.
Safety concerns may also affect the case. If one parent has issues with violence, substance abuse, neglect, unsafe living conditions, or repeated instability, those facts should be documented carefully. Text messages, school records, medical records, police reports, and witness statements may help show what arrangement would best protect the child.
Attorney Spotlight
Tricia D. Goostree
- Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished
- Best Lawyers, 2019 - Present
- Best Law Firms, Ranked by Best Lawyers
- Elite Lawyer, 2018 - Present
- Super Lawyers, 2016 - Present
- Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2011 - 2015
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 10 Best For Client Satisfaction, 2016
- Avvo 10.0 Rating
- Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates
Advocating for Parents in Child Support Disputes
Child support is meant to help cover the costs of raising a child. In Illinois, support is generally based on both parents incomes, the number of overnights each parent has, and certain child-related expenses. These may include health insurance, childcare, medical costs, and extracurricular expenses.
Support disputes can happen for many reasons. One parent may believe the other parent is hiding income, refusing to work, underreporting earnings, or failing to pay court-ordered support. A paying parent may have lost a job, taken a pay cut, or become unable to keep up with the current order.
Child support orders should be based on accurate financial information. Pay stubs, tax returns, bank records, business records, and proof of expenses may all matter. When income is irregular or self-employment-based, support can be harder to calculate. A family law attorney can help gather the right records and present a clear picture to the court.
How Paternity Works in Illinois
Paternity refers to legal fatherhood. When parents are married at the time of a childs birth, the husband is usually presumed to be the childs legal father. When parents are not married, paternity may need to be established before child support, parenting time, or parental responsibilities can be ordered.
Paternity can be established in several ways. Parents may sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. A parent may also file a court case to establish parentage. If there is a dispute, genetic testing may be requested. Once paternity is established, the father can seek parenting time or decision-making rights, and the court can address child support.
Paternity cases are not only about money. They can affect identity, stability, medical history, inheritance rights, and the childs relationship with both parents. For mothers, paternity can provide a legal path to financial support. For fathers, it can provide a legal path to involvement in the childs life.
My experience was truly excellent. Tricia and everyone at the office are extremely knowledgeable and very kind!
Westmont Attorneys Assisting With Post-Decree Modifications
A final divorce or family law order may work well at first, but life can change. A parent may move, lose a job, receive a major raise, face a medical issue, or see a childs needs change. When an old court order no longer fits, a post-decree modification may be needed.
Common modification requests involve parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, child support, and spousal maintenance. The person requesting the change usually needs to show that a meaningful change has occurred. The court will not change an order simply because one parent dislikes the current terms.
Parents should not rely on informal agreements alone. Even if both sides agree to a change, the original court order may remain enforceable until a judge approves a new one. This can create problems if one parent later changes his or her mind. A written and court-approved modification can reduce confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Westmont
Answer: The division of the marital home depends on whether the house is marital or separate property, how much equity exists, whether either spouse can afford the mortgage, and whether children live in the home. One spouse may keep the house and buy out the other spouses share. The spouses may also agree to sell the home and divide the proceeds. If they cannot agree, the court may decide what is fair.
Answer: Alimony, called maintenance in Illinois, is not automatic. The court first decides whether maintenance is appropriate. It may look at each spouses income, earning ability, age, health, property, needs, and the length of the marriage. If maintenance is awarded, Illinois guidelines may help determine the amount and duration, but the facts still matter.
Answer: A parent may seek sole decision-making authority when sharing major decisions would not serve the childs best interests. This may happen when there is abuse, serious conflict, substance abuse, neglect, or a parents long-term lack of involvement.
Contact a Westmont, IL Family Lawyer
Family law cases can bring private worries into a public legal process. At Goostree Law Group, we know these issues affect daily life, not just court paperwork. Call 630-584-4800 or contact our Westmont, Illinois family law attorney to schedule a free consultation.















