630-584-4800

630-584-4800

Addison Family Law Attorneys

Goostree Law Group

"Tricia Goostree is, without question, the best family law attorney out there. When I needed someone to guide through a difficult divorce and complex child support matters, she stepped in and delivered outstanding results..."

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Lawyers Addressing Prenuptial/Postnuptial Agreements, Legal Separation, Paternity, and More in Addison, Illinois

When legal issues need to be addressed in family court, these matters can be stressful and emotional. The decisions made in these cases can have lasting effects on family relationships, and they can also impact a person's finances. A case may involve a married couple, the parents of a child, or other family members, and determining how to resolve disputes and achieve positive results is not always easy. That is why representation from a skilled family law attorney can be so important when addressing family-related legal issues.

The lawyers at Goostree Law Group can assist people in Addison with a wide range of family law matters. We provide helpful guidance and strong representation, taking the time to address our clients' needs and making sure they understand their rights and the steps they can take to achieve their goals. We provide compassionate legal help as we help our clients find solutions that will meet their families' needs in the future.

We understand the personal impact that the decisions made in a family law case can have on the lives of different family members. These matters involve people's homes, their children, their financial security, and in some cases, their sense of safety. Without proper legal guidance, a person may agree to terms that are not in their best interest, or they may fail to take the right actions within the correct timeframes. We will advise our clients of the choices available to them, explain the likely outcomes of different approaches, and work to resolve disputes effectively.

Call 630-584-4800 and let us help your family.

Legal Separation

While divorce is an issue that is addressed in family court, some couples may encounter marital difficulties, but they may not wish to end their marriages. Instead of permanently dissolving a marriage through divorce, a couple may choose to get a legal separation. When doing so, they will create a separation agreement that will address many of the same issues as divorce, including property division and child custody, but they will remain legally married.

Couples may choose legal separation over divorce for a number of reasons. Some couples may have religious or personal beliefs regarding divorce, and they may not want to permanently dissolve their marriages. Others may want to stay married to maintain certain benefits, such as health insurance coverage or the ability to file taxes jointly. A couple may also use a period of legal separation as a way to live apart while they decide whether to stay married or get a divorce.

Our attorneys can help clients understand whether legal separation is a good solution in their circumstances. We can make sure all issues involved in a case will be addressed correctly, and we can help to negotiate separation agreements that will meet our clients' needs. When necessary, we can help clients who are legally separated move forward with a divorce.

  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • DuPage County Bar Association
  • Kane County Bar Association
  • Top 100 Lawyers
  • Lead Counsel

Attorney Spotlight

Goostree Law Group

Tricia D. Goostree

  • Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished, 2026
  • Best Lawyers, 2019 - Present
  • Best Law Firms, Ranked by Best Lawyers
  • Elite Lawyer, 2018 - Present
  • Super Lawyers, 2016 - Present
  • Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2011 - 2015
  • American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 10 Best For Client Satisfaction, 2016
  • Avvo 10.0 Rating
  • Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Couples who wish to protect certain assets, avoid conflict about financial issues, or set certain expectations for their marriages may choose to create prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. A prenuptial agreement may be created before a couple gets married, and a postnuptial agreement can be created at any point after a couple's marriage has taken place. These agreements allow couples to make decisions about property and finances, including how ownership of certain property will be handled and how assets may be divided if they decide to get a divorce.

A prenup or postnup can address a number of concerns, including:

  • Property Classification: Identifying which assets will be treated as separate property rather than marital property.
  • Debt Responsibility: Clarifying which spouse will be responsible for debts they brought into the marriage or how debts accrued during the marriage will be handled.
  • Business Interests: Protecting a family business or professional practice from being divided in a divorce.
  • Other Decisions Related to Property and Finances: Deciding how certain marital assets will be divided in a divorce.
  • Spousal Maintenance Terms: Establishing whether alimony will be paid, and if so, the amount and duration of payments.

By addressing these issues in advance, a couple can reduce the likelihood of disputes if they decide to get a divorce in the future. A well-crafted agreement can also ensure that both spouses have a clear understanding of how certain financial matters will be handled. Our lawyers can help clients create prenuptial or postnuptial agreements that will meet their needs, and we will ensure that their agreements will be enforceable in a potential divorce.

Establishing Paternity

In situations where a child's parents are not married when the child is born, the father will not be automatically recognized as the child's legal parent. Even if both parents recognize that a man is a child's biological father, and even if he is listed on the child's birth certificate, he will not have parental rights toward the child until paternity is established. In these cases, the parents may agree to sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form, but if there are any disputes about the identity of a child's father, a paternity suit may need to be filed in family court.

While paternity can protect a father's rights and make sure he will be able to take steps to share in the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, it can also provide benefits for a mother and child. When a child lives with the mother most of the time, paternity will ensure that a father can be required to pay child support. A child will also be able to inherit from their father, receive benefits such as Social Security, and have access to family medical history.

When paternity is established correctly, it can help to minimize disputes over child custody, child support, or related issues. Our attorneys can provide legal help for clients who wish to establish paternity, including fathers who wish to protect their parental rights or mothers who want to secure child support for their children.

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Goostree Law Group

"Tricia Goostree is a wonderful lawyer. Her understanding of the legal process helped me through this emotional time..."

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Frequently Asked Questions Related to Family Law

Q

Can a Legal Separation Be Converted Into a Divorce?

Yes. After a legal separation has been granted, either spouse may file a petition for dissolution of marriage. Because many of the issues in a divorce may have already been decided in a separation agreement, the process of completing a divorce may be faster and simpler in these cases.

Q

Is a Prenuptial Agreement Only Useful for Wealthy Couples?

No. While prenuptial agreements are often used by people who own significant assets, couples from any financial background may benefit by creating these types of agreements. A prenup can clarify the expectations that each spouse has regarding financial issues, protect certain types of property, and make sure the needs of both spouses will be addressed in the future. It may also help to reduce potential conflict about financial issues during a couple's marriage while minimizing the possibility of disputes during a divorce.

Q

Does Establishing Paternity Automatically Give a Father Parenting Time?

No. Once paternity is established, a father may file a petition in court to address issues related to the allocation of parenting time and parental responsibilities. The court will decide how to address these issues and work to find solutions that will protect the child's best interests. In most cases, both parents are presumed to have the right to reasonable amounts of parenting time with their child. However, a father's parenting time may be restricted if there are concerns about the child's physical or emotional safety while in his care.

Contact Our Addison, IL Family Law Attorneys

Family law matters can affect many parts of the lives of different family members. The decisions made in family court may have an impact on the finances of a parent, their relationships with their children, and the ongoing relationships between couples or ex-partners. At Goostree Law Group, our attorneys can provide guidance on the best ways to resolve family law issues. We will work with clients to find solutions that will meet their needs while providing for the best interests of children involved in a case. Contact our Addison paternity and legal separation lawyers at 630-584-4800 to set up a free consultation.

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