What to bring to a divorce consultation should include financial documents, such as both spouses’ proof of income, recent tax returns, bank statements, and credit card statements. It is also helpful to bring a list of questions, particularly about any nuances your case might involve, such as a family-owned business. Being prepared can ensure your attorneys have the details to give you the most accurate information possible.

Finding hidden assets in divorce often involves your own research and professional expertise, such as that of a forensic accountant. Often, the first step involves one spouse noticing changes in spending patterns or even looking at tax returns and inadvertently discovering previously unknown sources of income.

Whether divorce mediation vs. arbitration in Chicago is better for you depends on the level of conflict, the amount of control you want over the outcome, and the degree of finality you desire. Mediation could be a good path if you can communicate reasonably well and cooperatively with your spouse.

In an amicable divorce, the couple works together to resolve issues such as property division, child custody, parenting time, and financial support in a fair and reasonable manner.

A contested divorce in Illinois can take several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the case.

A divorce settlement agreement outlines how divorcing parties plan to manage issues such as child custody, property, assets, debts, health care, and income tax. That said, each divorce case is unique and answers the question, “what is a divorce settlement agreement?”

Knowing how orders of protection work with married couples can be lifesaving in a dangerous situation. If there is any abuse or a threat of abuse between married couples, one spouse could request an order of protection that keeps him or her safe from the other spouse.

Divorcing couples may wonder, “what is reasonable spousal maintenance?” Whether spousal maintenance is reasonable depends on information such as the parties' backgrounds, each spouse's finances, the acquisition of wealth before or during the marriage, and the duration of the marriage. 

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Illinois? An uncontested divorce can be an amicable way to end a marriage and generally costs much less than a contested divorce.

If your spouse won’t sign divorce papers in Illinois, the dissolution of your marriage is still possible. If time, space, and/or mediation efforts are ineffective, your divorce lawyer will explain your legal options and help you proceed with a default judgment for the dissolution of your marriage. 

An uncontested divorce happens when a couple reaches a mutual agreement regarding all the divorce terms before trial. A contested divorce occurs when the couple fails to agree on one or more major issues and will depend on the court to make the final decision.

To begin the divorce process (also called dissolution of marriage) in Illinois, one or both spouses need to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage tells the court information about the spouses, the marriage, the children, if any, the assets owned by the parties, the grounds for divorce, and other matters required by law to be included.

In Illinois, under certain conditions, personal injury settlements are considered part of the marital property and therefore may be subject to asset division during a divorce proceeding. Certain items, like gifts or inheritances, are not considered marital property.