Darien, Illinois Divorce Attorneys

Reliable Lawyers for Child Support, Asset Division, and Alimony in Darien, IL

Ending your marriage can impact nearly every aspect of your life. A divorce comes with complex legal issues, emotional strain, and high-stakes decisions. Whether the decision to end your relationship is amicable or the relationship between you and your spouse is extremely volatile, you will need to consider a variety of factors related to your finances, your property, your children, and more. As you address these issues, a skilled divorce attorney can provide you with the guidance needed to protect your rights and safeguard your future.

Ending a long-term relationship can make each day feel like a challenge. At Goostree Law Group, we will take the time to understand your unique situation and provide you with compassion and aggressive advocacy. With more than 100 positive reviews, our clients can confirm that we are committed to providing effective legal help for the residents of Darien and its surrounding areas. Our divorce attorneys have helped Illinois families through trials, mediation, and negotiations for decades, and will be in your corner every step of the way.

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

How Do I File for Divorce in Illinois?

Every state handles divorce a little differently. As a no-fault divorce state, Illinois only allows couples to cite "irreconcilable differences" as the grounds for a divorce. This is a blanket term for disagreements or disputes that have led to an irreversible breakdown of a couple's relationship.

At any time, a spouse can file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the county where they reside to begin the divorce process. Generally, divorce petitions will state that attempts to save the relationship have been made and that future efforts would not be beneficial.

After filing, the other spouse will be served with divorce papers, and they will have the chance to file a response with the court. They may respond directly to requests or claims made in the original petition, or they may file an appearance in court to confirm that they have received the divorce papers. After a response has been filed, the couple can then proceed with mediation, negotiations, or litigation.

At this stage, spouses will need to determine whether their divorce is contested or uncontested. If a couple is willing and able to work toward mutual agreements, an uncontested divorce will usually be more straightforward and cost-effective. While this process does not have to be completely amicable, couples can use mediation or negotiations along with their respective attorneys to reach fair, comprehensive settlements. In high-conflict divorces, spouses may rely on their attorneys to provide representation during negotiations or trial proceedings.

Regardless of the level of conflict in a divorce, the experienced attorneys at Goostree Law Group will carefully review the details of a case and help clients avoid common mistakes in the divorce process. Whether working to negotiate settlements or providing representation during trials, we will make sure our clients' rights are protected, and we will advocate for solutions that will meet their needs.

Discovery and Division of Marital Property

Marital property includes any assets acquired during a marriage. Determining what qualifies as marital property and how to divide assets between spouses can be one of the most challenging issues in a divorce. Though equal division is not always necessary, the court and the parties involved will usually try to ensure a fair and just distribution.

While gifts, inheritances, or property that a person owned before getting married are typically not included in marital property, debts and assets acquired during the relationship will need to be addressed. Property division may involve a wide range of assets, including:

• Personal Property: Household items, collectibles, artwork, jewelry, and vehicles are almost always eligible for division. Certain assets may require appraisals by financial experts so both spouses understand the dollar value of each item.
• Business Interests: Ownership in corporations, partnerships, professional practices, or family businesses may need to be split, sold, or transferred during divorce. Business valuations can help ensure that both spouses understand the value of business interests. They may choose to sell the company entirely, or one spouse may buy out the other spouse's business shares. If both spouses are willing, co-ownership can also be a viable solution.
• Financial Accounts: Bonds, stocks, savings accounts, and other bank accounts may be subject to division.
• Real Estate: Property can be one of the most valuable assets in a marriage. Sentimental value and the ability to provide a stable home for children can be key considerations in real estate disputes.
• Retirement Assets: IRAs, 401(k) accounts, and pension plans may need to be divided between spouses. There are legal tools, such as Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), that can ensure that these funds can be transferred without tax penalties.
• Debts: Student loans, mortgages, credit card balances, and car loans can all be shared marriage expenses.

Discovery

To ensure that spouses have a full understanding of the assets they own and other financial issues that may need to be addressed, discovery is an essential part of the divorce process. In some cases, a spouse may attempt to hide certain assets or misuse finances. Our divorce attorneys can ensure that all relevant financial information will be considered correctly, using a variety of methods:

• Subpoenas: Legal orders may be filed to obtain records from entities such as financial institutions, employers, or banks.
• Requests for Production of Documents: Formal legal demands may be issued to obtain documents like business records, credit card statements, tax returns, mortgage documents, investment account records, and bank statements.
• Interrogatories: Parties can file written requests for information regarding debts, assets, expenses, employment history, and income sources.
• Depositions: If necessary, either party may be asked to answer questions under oath.