Tinley Park Divorce Lawyers

Sometimes, the conflicts in a marriage destroy any chance the couple has of reconciling. This breaking point is different for every couple. When a couple reaches this point, divorce is often the healthiest option.

If you are considering filing for divorce, first take the time to educate yourself about the divorce process. You can find general information online, but you cannot truly gauge how your divorce will proceed until you have discussed your marriage and your divorce goals with an experienced divorce lawyer. Below is some information that you can use to prepare for your initial meeting with a divorce lawyer.

Components of a Divorce Settlement

A divorce settlement has a few different components. What is included in your divorce settlement depends on your marriage and financial circumstances. In any divorce, the couple’s assets must be divided equitably between the partners. If you have few marital assets, dividing them will be a much less complicated process than it would be if you had a complex marital estate. When a couple has a prenuptial agreement in place, dividing their assets can be a much quicker process.

If you or your spouse chose to work part time or not work at all during the marriage in order to make non-economic contributions to the household, spousal maintenance may be part of your divorce settlement. This can be paid permanently or for a specified period of time, typically the length of time the court determines to be necessary for the lesser earning spouse to become financially self-sufficient, and as set forth in the statute.

When a couple has minor children, a parenting plan and child support order are also part of their divorce settlement. Child support is determined according to a formula which incorporates the couple’s individual incomes and each partner’s share of the children’s parenting time. A parenting plan is a timesharing schedule and a division of parental responsibilities determined using the set of factors included in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

Understanding an Illinois Divorce

Illinois imposes a few requirements on individuals who want to divorce. These are:

• To file for divorce, an individual or his or her spouse     must have lived in Illinois for at least 90 days prior to filing;
• To finalize a divorce, the couple must have lived apart for at least six months; and
• The partner who files for divorce must file the petition with the circuit court of the county where he or she resides or the county where his or her spouse resides, if they are not the same.

Additionally, couples who can develop their settlements amicably can file uncontested divorces.

Work with an Experienced Tinley Park Divorce Lawyer

If you have determined your marriage is over, be proactive and start working with an experienced divorce lawyer now. To get started with a member of our team, contact Demetrios N. Dalmares & Associates, Ltd. today to schedule your free consultation with us. We can answer all of your questions and work with you to complete your divorce efficiently.