As divorce attorneys in Tinley Park, we work to ensure that our clients have the family law resources and information they need to understand how divorce works and what to expect. A divorce can be a complex, long process, and adequate preparation is the key to minimizing the length of your divorce.
To get a divorce, one spouse must file a Petition for Divorce with the court. Your attorney will draft this document and the person filing the Petition is called the Petitioner or Plaintiff. The person responding to the petition is the Respondent or Defendant. The Respondent is required to file an answer in a specific amount of time to the petition. In the answer, the Respondent will file a counterclaim to the petition. Without filing an answer, the Respondent could easily find themselves in a trial facing the exact terms of the petition that was filed by the Petitioner. That makes it important to seek the guidance of Tinley Park divorce attorney if you have been served divorce papers.
It is not uncommon early in the process for divorce for temporary issues to be filed to address issues that cannot wait until the divorce is finalized. Many parties try to work out temporary arrangements without going to court.Â
Next comes discovery. This is the process of gathering information to build your case if you go to trial. You will gather favorable information about yourself for your attorney to provide to the court. You will also need to anticipate your spouse’s case.
It is fairly common for divorce cases to settle the day of the trial or even during the trial itself if the divorce even makes it this far. Reaching a settlement has advantages because it allows you and your spouse to have more control over the judgment.Â
In addition to having more control and not leaving your fate in the hands of the judge, time and money can also lead to a settlement. It can sometimes take a year or two for a trial and attorney fees will continue to climb.
Only a small percentage of divorces actually end up going to trial, but of course, this varies on a number of factors, including assets, salaries, length of the marriage, and more. If you do go to trial, the length of your trial will depend on a number of complex issues, but your Tinley Park divorce attorney can tell you what to expect.Â
Divorces are emotional and can cause anger, anxiety, depression, resentment, and many other strong emotions. Although the process is not easy, having an experienced attorney on your side can make the process go much faster and smoother than if you try to handle it on your own. If you are considering filing for divorce or have been served divorce papers by your spouse, contact the attorneys at Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. and let us help ensure that your rights are protected and you reach the best possible outcome for your divorce.Â