Divorce Lawyers Near Me
Officially ending a marriage requires that couples contend with a host of related legal issues. For instance, divorcing couples must fairly divide marital assets and debts, determine who will retain ownership of the family home, decide whether one party is entitled to alimony, and come up with a parenting plan if the couple shares children. Resolving these issues can be a complex process, especially for those without legal representation, so if you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, it is critical to speak with experienced Illinois divorce lawyers near me who can walk you through the filing process.Â
Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce
A divorce can either be contested or uncontested, with the former referring to a divorce in which the parties do not agree on one or more related legal issues, including:
- Who will retain the couple’s home;
- Who will be responsible for paying marital debt;
- How the couple’s marital assets will be distributed upon divorce;
- Whether one of the parties is entitled to spousal maintenance payments and if so, how long those payments should, and what form they will take; and
- How parenting time and decision-making responsibility for any children will be allocated.Â
Many couples are able to reach an agreement on these issues in an out-of-court setting and thus avoid litigating the matters in court. These are known as uncontested divorces and they tend to be resolved much more quickly than litigated divorces, which can take months or even years to finalize.Â
When a couple cannot come up with a reasonable arrangement, however, a judge will need to step in and make the decision on the parties’ behalf. This is known as a contested divorce and requires that the parties attend a number of hearings and present arguments to a judge. Contested divorces are notorious for being more contentious, time-consuming, and expensive than uncontested divorces.Â
Filing for Divorce
Regardless of whether a divorce is contested or uncontested, the parties involved will only be eligible if one of the parties has resided in the state for at least 90 days. Those who fail to satisfy this requirement could end up delaying their divorce by weeks or even months.Â
Once a couple has satisfied these filing requirements, they will need to provide evidence that their marriage has become irretrievably broken due to irreconcilable differences and that reconciliation is not possible or would not be in the family’s best interests. Proof that a couple has been living separate and apart for the last six months is usually enough to satisfy this burden.
Call Today for Help With Your Case
If you have questions or concerns about filing for divorce in Illinois, please contact the experienced divorce lawyers near me at Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd.. Â We can be reached by phone or by sending an email to info@www.dalmareslaw.com. We offer initial consultations free of charge, so call or contact us online at your earliest convenience.
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Client Reviews
Chester G.
This place is 1000% recommendable! So far the process has been super smooth and easy to deal with. They placed all my worries out the window and I've slept better knowing they are on my team. Currently in tears knowing I'll be able to resolve this but sad that it's never going to be the family I thought I could have had. It's ok though, it's time to move forward. Thanks DnD.
Jean C.
Demetrios saw my case to the end. Great outcome! Justice prevailed!
Kay L
I would absolutely recommend Demetrios to anyone! He is all for his clients and most importantly honest. He helped me deal with a very difficult situation and got me what I deserved. I already have referred a few people to him and each one so far is very satisfied and happy with their results.
Kim K-I
Demetrios is honestly the best attorney to help through any divorce situation or custody battle. He will go above and beyond to make sure to guide you through it all. I have referred many people to him, and every person has been more than impressed. I even referred someone that needed immediate attention after hours, and he contacted her right away! I can promise you one thing he knows his stuff, and you won’t be disappointed!
Jenna
Demetri is extremely knowledgeable and confident In what he does. He is everything I searched for in a lawyer, I thank him for his determination and courage. I don’t see many lawyers leveling up with him in court, wouldn’t have wanted anyone else by my side during such a tough time.
Edmond
Demetrios is at the top of his profession. The combination of his knowledge and experience along with his experienced and dedicated staff guided me through my legal needs in a timely and compassionate manner. Certainly a monumental task during a pandemic. Thank you, Demetrios.
Murad
Super professional legal services law office. Highly strong communication skills and clients representation. Point-oriented legal path and service. More specifically, I had a very good experience upon hiring and dealing with Attorney Demetrios Dalmares as he understood all I wanted and walked me through all details required to achieve the desired goals with minimal losses. Good job Demetrios! Highly recommended. Good luck and will definitely refer if asked. Thank you
Thank you
Demetrios, I cannot thank you enough for you diligence, patience, knowledge, concern and determination to represent my best interest. From the bottom of my heart, you are amazing and thank you for all you have done for me. Robin
Success Stories
Wife Seeks Unreasonable Share of Business Assets During Divorce
In a case where Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. represented Husband: Couple shared ownership in a business, resulting in complex property division issues. After investigation of the couple’s financial history, our client received a much more equitable divorce agreement than what was originally offered.
Mother Requests Limited Parental Rights for Father with Violent Past
In a case where Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. represented Mother: Father became aggressive and violent toward Mother during their separation, prompting her to seek full custody of their children. At trial, the court granted Father supervised parenting time only and Mother was awarded child support.
Bitter Divorce Drawn Out by Poor Representation Until Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. Gets Involved
In a case where Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. represented Husband: Couple had been locked in a contentious divorce for nearly three years and changed lawyers several times. Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. provided the experience and organization needed to resolve the case within months, avoiding a trial for our client.
Husband Tries to Avoid Spousal Support Based on Outdated Earning Potential
In a case where Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. represented Wife: Wife left a successful career to raise children. When Husband denied spousal support based on Wife’s previous earnings, Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. countered with evidence that retraining was needed, and our client was awarded spousal support.
Husband Insists on Taking Divorce to Trial
In a case where Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. represented Wife: Husband tried to intimidate Wife into a divorce settlement that heavily favored his interests by drawing out the case. Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. represented Wife through trial, where she received an equitable share of marital assets.
Father Granted Child Support Adjustment Due to Mother’s Cohabitation
In a case where Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. represented Father: Mother began cohabitating with a new partner who made significantly more than our client. Law Office of Demetrios N Dalmares and Associates Ltd. successfully demonstrated that the new relationship justified a modification and obtained a favorable outcome through negotiation.