| Divorce isn't quite as easy as many people think. For | | | | negotiating and making child custody agreements. In |
| many people, divorce is their first experience with | | | | most divorces, both spouses want more custody |
| courts and the legal system. For other people, | | | | than the other wants to agree to. Judges usually |
| negotiation efforts, including asset division, child | | | | consider many issues before making a child custody |
| custody, alimony, and other issues can be settled | | | | decision in court. While judges do listen to the wishes |
| without the need for a trip to court. However, the | | | | of the child, the physical, mental, and emotional |
| laws on divorce differ by state, so it is best to | | | | growth of the child usually take priority. The ability |
| consult an expert. For instance, if you are | | | | and willingness of each parent to continue a healthy |
| contemplating a divorce in the state of Illinois, | | | | relationship with their child is a major consideration in |
| obtaining legal representation by a qualified Chicago | | | | custody hearings. |
| divorce attorney can ensure a smooth and fair | | | | Alimony |
| divorce settlement. The following overview provides | | | | Spousal support, or alimony, issues also differ by |
| crucial information about the legal grounds for | | | | state. In the state of Illinois, the amount of spousal |
| divorce, child custody issues, alimony, and the division | | | | support is figured by several factors that include the |
| of assets. | | | | earning ability and monetary needs of both spouses. |
| The Legal Grounds for Divorce | | | | A major issue for determining alimony is whether the |
| The Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage can | | | | years of a spouse's devotion to staying home and |
| contain one of two terms, "fault" or "no fault." Every | | | | taking care of both the home and family damaged |
| state has different laws about the classifications of | | | | that spouse's ability to obtain a job making a |
| these two terms. If a married couple has lived apart | | | | satisfactory living wage in the future. A qualified |
| for more than two years, with irreconcilable | | | | Chicago divorce attorney is beneficial in establishing |
| differences destroying the marriage, the divorce is | | | | and presenting a spousal support claim. |
| classified as "no fault." Alternatively, a married couple | | | | Consulting A Chicago Divorce Attorney |
| breaking up due to adultery, impotence, more than | | | | Divorce is an involved and complicated procedure. |
| two years or alcohol or drug abuse, or other | | | | Even divorces that start out friendly and |
| negative reasons, is usually classified as a "fault" | | | | straightforward can turn into emotional messes, |
| divorce. | | | | especially in a marriage with children and child custody |
| Dividing Shared Assets | | | | issues. Couples contemplating a divorce should always |
| Assets, or property, jointly owned by both the | | | | contact an experienced lawyer in the state where |
| husband and wife must be divided during the divorce | | | | they live. If you reside in Illinois, consulting a Chicago |
| process. Many circumstances determine whether an | | | | divorce attorney is vital in protecting your custody |
| asset acquired before the divorce decree is eligible as | | | | rights, receiving a fair share of marital assets, and in |
| a shared asset to be divided. For instance, the | | | | making sure your future is safe in the case of need |
| divorce law in Illinois lists several conditions that | | | | for permanent or temporary alimony. |
| distinguish assets as either "marital" or "non-marital." | | | | People seeking divorce are often fooled into thinking |
| These conditions include agreed exclusions, | | | | their spouse will be fair and objective when it comes |
| inheritances, and income from "non-marital" assets. A | | | | to custody, division of assets, and spousal support. |
| divorce lawyer in Chicago can give legal guidance so | | | | Ultimately, emotions usually take over, making the |
| that all property divisions are both legal and agreed | | | | process nerve-wracking. A divorce lawyer in Chicago |
| upon. | | | | can negotiate for you without letting emotions cloud |
| Child Custody | | | | the process, ensuring a fair and smooth divorce. |
| One of the most difficult aspects of a divorce is | | | | |