Divorce Lawyer Wheeling

Facing a divorce is never easy, but when you have a better understanding of what your divorce entails, it can make the journey forward less harrowing. One of the most important first steps that anyone facing a divorce can take is consulting with an experienced divorce lawyer in Wheeling early on in the process. 

Your Negotiation Options

If you are going through a divorce, there are specific divorce terms that you and your divorcing spouse must resolve, including: 

• Parental responsibilities (what you may think of as your child custody arrangements)
• The division of marital property
• Child support 
• Alimony

If you and your soon-to-be-ex are able to negotiate terms between yourselves, you won’t need the court’s intervention in the matter (which is generally considered preferable). In your efforts to negotiate terms, you have options, including:

• Hammering out issues between yourselves (with the input of your respective divorce lawyers guiding you)
• Allowing your divorce lawyers to negotiate with one another (on behalf of each of your best interests)
• Proceeding to mediation (or another form of alternative dispute resolution – ADR) where a neutral third-party who is a professional mediator will help you further explore your options and will help you better understand how the court is likely to rule in your case 

Your Parental Responsibilities

Parental responsibilities include making primary parenting decisions that include:

• Your kids’ schooling
• Your kids’ health care
• Your kids’ extracurriculars
• Your kids’ religious upbringing

This decision-making authority can be either sole or joint. 

Parenting time is the second component of parental responsibilities, and it specifies how you and your ex will divide the parenting time you have with your shared children. One of you may become the primary custodial parent, or you can opt for a more balanced schedule.

Child Support

Child support payments are intended to ensure that both parents continue shouldering their financial responsibility to their children – and that the responsibility is shared according to each parent’s ability to contribute.  

The Division of Your Marital Property

The assets and properties that you and/or your spouse acquire while you are married are considered marital property, and they must be divided between you in a manner that is fair – in relation to a wide range of relevant factors – upon divorce. Separate property is kept out of this equation, but it is very common for such assets to become entangled with marital property over the years and to lose their classification as separate. 

Alimony

Alimony only plays a role in Illinois divorces when one spouse doesn’t have the financial means to continue supporting himself or herself post-divorce, and the other has the ability to help.  

It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Illinois Divorce Attorney

The compassionate divorce lawyers at the SAM LAW OFFICE, LLC, in Wheeling have the legal experience, drive, and keen insight to help you obtain divorce terms that support your rights and that work for you and your children. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.