Going through a divorce can be one of the most difficult experiences in a person’s life. Therefore, it is important to have an experienced Highland Park IL divorce attorney who can guide you through the process and help protect your interests. Many attorneys claim to be family law experts, but not all of them have the experience necessary to provide you with the best possible representation. So, how do you find the right attorney for your needs?
Our Highland Park divorce and family law attorneys have three decades of experience in family law matters. During some of the most difficult times of our client’s lives, we assist them in making the best legal decisions possible. We’re here to help you, so please contact us immediately for a free consultation.
Legal terms such as guardianship, divorce, paternity, voluntary paternity acknowledgment, and other family-related issues fall under the umbrella of family law. However, when it comes to family law, some attorneys focus on divorce while others handle all aspects of family law.
Within family law, each case is treated as a unique entity requiring individualized attention. Even if your case is straightforward, an attorney may be able to help you draft the necessary paperwork so that your objectives can be met. Others, such as a divorce involving unresolved issues of parenting time and financial support, can be stressful and time-consuming. The experienced attorneys at Cooper Trachtenberg Law Group, LLC are equipped to handle your situation.
A no-fault state means there are no grounds for divorce based on such things as adultery or mental or physical cruelty, or habitual alcohol abuse or abandonment. For example, one spouse can obtain a divorce in Illinois if there are irreconcilable differences between the two parties. For a divorce to be granted, the parties must have lived apart for at least six months immediately before the entry of the judgment. This qualifies as the basis for a divorce because of irreconcilable differences. The parties don’t need to live in separate homes to be separated and apart. Spouses with separate bedrooms, but who share basic financial obligations, are considered to be living apart under the law if they have no meaningful communication.
The state of Illinois has a fair distribution of wealth. In other words, the courts should strive to equitably distribute the parties’ assets and liabilities. Equitable does not imply a state of being on an even playing field. Instead, law requires courts to consider thirteen factors when determining an equitable distribution of property in a divorce.
Assets in a marriage are divided into marital and non-marital categories in Illinois. Before the marriage, a spouse’s non-marital assets include anything they brought into the marriage, as well as any assets they received as a gift or inheritance. Also, it could be a property that was acquired during the marriage in exchange for property that was previously owned by the couple. Premarital and postnuptial agreements may also define property as non-marital, as long as it is defined as non-marital by the parties in a legally binding agreement.
In a divorce, maintenance is the term used to describe when one spouse provides financial support to the other. The purpose of maintenance is to help the receiving spouse become financially independent after the divorce. Maintenance can be temporary or permanent and can be ordered by the court or agreed upon by the parties through a marital settlement agreement.
When a divorce is finalized, and one of the parties is awarded maintenance or alimony as it was previously known, the court is ensuring that both parties can return to their pre-marriage lifestyles. Including maintenance in a divorce settlement is a common issue for couples in Illinois going through a divorce. However, when it comes to spousal maintenance, nothing is required by the Illinois Court, which is why it can be critical to have a knowledgeable divorce lawyer on your side.
Maintenance is typically paid in the form of a monthly check or direct deposit, but it can also be paid in other ways, such as through property transfer. The paying spouse’s ability to pay and the receiving spouse’s need for support are the two main factors considered when determining whether or not maintenance should be ordered. These two factors also determine the duration and amount of maintenance.
If you are getting a divorce in Illinois, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side who can help you navigate the process and ensure that your rights are protected. Cooper Trachtenberg Law Group, LLC attorneys have extensive experience handling divorce cases in Illinois and are dedicated to helping their clients obtain the best possible outcome. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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An extremely high-net-worth divorce may necessitate several experts or consultants to ensure a smooth transition. Specifically,, a forensic accountant may be needed to assist with difficult tracing issues. Closely held companies and other investments that are difficult to value necessitate additional financial experts. Experts typically value real estate, such as appraisers for single-family homes, commercial properties, and the like. Setting support and other ancillary issues based on the family’s previous lifestyle is common. Experts are hired to conduct a custody evaluation and provide other opinions on all parenting issues.
Divorce mediation is gaining in popularity. A mediator, the parties, and their divorce attorneys are all involved in a typical mediation. Former judges make up the majorityof mediators. Both parties can walk away at any point during the negotiation process. Because mediation is a private process, the judge will not know anything that transpired during the process if it fails. For example, divorce mediation in Chicago is a completely private process, unlike the public forum in open court and the public record of a divorce case in open court. Mediating a divorce is usually much less expensive than going through court. When the parties work together to fully understand the nature and extent of their assets, income, and expenses and then work to negotiate a reasonable agreement with a mediator, it is much less stressful and can be more efficient.
Highland Park, IL, a Chicago suburb on Lake Michigan’s western shore, is about 27 miles northwest of the city.
Highland Park was founded in 1867 by the Highland Park Building Company, a group of ten businessmen who bought the land. Initially, it was just a few acres of farmland scattered across the countryside. In March of 1869, the town of Highland Park was formally incorporated.
Walter Gurnee named Highland Park because of its proximity to the nearby lake and high elevation. Beautiful wood-framed homes, nature trails, and cycling paths are some of the community’s best-known features.
Singer-songwriter Richard Marx, actress Rachel Brosnahan, actor Gary Sinise, Smashing Pumpkins band member Billy Corgan, and NBA legend Michael Jordan all lived in Highland Park at one time or another.
Highland Park is a desirable place to live because it’s an affluent and comfortable neighborhood.
via Lake Cook Rd and IL-53 S
Best route now due to traffic conditions