Question 1

How long will my divorce take?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed timeline for a divorce. How long it takes depends on your situation, how many issues are contested, how cooperative both spouses are, and the court’s schedule. An uncontested divorce may be resolved in a matter of weeks, while cases involving disputes over custody, property, or hidden assets can take many months or even years.

Question 2

How much will my divorce cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a divorce varies because no attorney can predict exactly how the other side will act or how long the case will last. Fees are closely tied to the time required, the complexity of the issues, and the level of conflict. Our firm works efficiently, keeps clients informed, and strives to provide high-quality representation at a reasonable and competitive cost, while not being the least or most expensive option.

Question 3

How much will an uncontested divorce cost?

Accepted Answer

In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on all major issues such as property division, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, and debts. Your attorney’s role is to turn your agreement into legally binding documents. The cost for an uncontested divorce depends on the complexity of your situation, but is generally lower than a contested case because there is less negotiation and litigation involved.

Question 4

Do I have to pay all the attorneys' fees myself?

Accepted Answer

You may not have to pay all of the attorneys’ fees yourself. In some situations, Illinois courts can order one spouse to contribute to the other’s legal fees, especially when there is a significant financial imbalance between the parties. However, no lawyer should guarantee that the other side will pay your fees. Each case is fact-specific, and our attorneys evaluate whether fee-shifting is realistic based on your circumstances.

Question 5

What if my spouse is hiding money, income or assets?

Accepted Answer

If you suspect your spouse is hiding income or assets, we can use legal tools to investigate, including subpoenas to employers, banks, businesses, and other third parties. When appropriate, we may work with forensic accountants, private investigators, and other professionals to trace hidden money or property. We also help you weigh the cost of investigating against the value of what may be uncovered so you can make informed decisions.

Question 6

How does separation or divorce happen for non-traditional or alternative families?

Accepted Answer

Separation and divorce for non-traditional or alternative families can be more complex because the law has not always kept pace with evolving family structures. Our firm has substantial experience in this area and has handled landmark cases, including the first same-sex divorce in Illinois. We use advanced planning tools where possible, such as prenuptial agreements and estate planning, and when pre-planning isn’t available, we pursue your goals strategically within the current legal framework.

Question 7

What is the effect of my divorce on my estate plan?

Accepted Answer

Divorce can significantly affect your estate plan, but the impact depends on the specific documents you have in place, such as wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations. It is important to review and update your estate plan during and after your divorce to help protect your assets and your loved ones. We encourage clients to address these issues promptly so their documents reflect their new circumstances and intentions.

Question 8

Does your firm represent men also?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While our practice is focused on representing women and addressing gender-based inequalities in family law, we also represent men who seek personalized, efficient legal care. Approximately one-quarter of our clients are men, many of whom are referred by other attorneys. We provide the same quality of representation and attention to all clients regardless of gender.

Question 9

Will an extramarital affair have an impact on my divorce?

Accepted Answer

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, which means that marital misconduct like an affair generally does not affect how property is divided. However, an affair can be relevant to child-related issues if it impacts the children’s well-being. When an affair is part of a case, we focus on custody arrangements designed to protect the child’s physical and emotional health and to support a stable environment.

Question 10

Will I lose everything to my spouse?

Accepted Answer

No, you will not lose everything to your spouse. In Illinois, marital property is divided equitably, meaning fairly, not necessarily equally. Courts consider many factors, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, and what each person brought into the marriage. Our attorneys work to present evidence supporting a fair division of assets so you receive your appropriate share of the marital estate.

Question 11

Will I have to pay for my child's college education?

Accepted Answer

College expenses are often addressed in child support or settlement agreements, and we view planning for higher education as an important part of many cases. Illinois law allows parents to wait to decide exactly how much each will contribute until the child is closer to attending college. We help clients include appropriate provisions and revisit them when it is time to finalize contributions.

Question 12

If I have joint custody, do I have to pay child support?

Accepted Answer

Even in joint custody arrangements, one parent often has primary residential responsibilities. The parent with whom the child primarily lives is usually entitled to receive child support. The amount is determined under Illinois child support guidelines, taking into account each parent’s income, parenting time, and other relevant factors, regardless of whether legal custody is shared.

Question 13

Can a grandparent be awarded custody or visitation in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In certain circumstances, grandparents may obtain custody or visitation rights in Illinois. To be awarded custody, a grandparent generally must show that the parents are unfit or that living with them would seriously harm the child, and that living with the grandparent is in the child’s best interests. For visitation, a court may grant rights when it finds that denying contact with a grandparent would be harmful to the child’s physical or emotional well-being.

Question 14

How does a court determine who will receive custody of a child?

Accepted Answer

Illinois courts base custody decisions on the child’s best interests, not the parents’ preferences. Judges consider many factors, including each parent’s wishes, the child’s wishes if old enough and mature enough, the child’s physical and emotional needs, the stability of each home, and the parents’ ability to cooperate. Courts aim to minimize disruption to the child and shield them from parental conflict whenever possible.

Question 15

What is the difference between legal and physical custody?

Accepted Answer

Legal custody refers to the right to make major decisions about a child’s life, such as education, medical care, and religious upbringing. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and who provides day-to-day care. In joint custody arrangements, parents may share legal and physical custody, although the child may still reside primarily with one parent while the other exercises regular parenting time or visitation.

Highland Park, IL

Divorce

Family Law

Custody, visitation, parental responsibilities

Mother’s Right

Custody without Marriage

High Net Worth

Domestic Violence

Other Familylaw Services

Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group Serving Highland Park, IL

MeetOur Team Of Attorneys

Joshua Haid

James Teich

Pamela Kuzniar

Megan Suchy Rayford

Morgan Gay

Suzette Pierson

THERE WHEN YOU
NEED US MOST

schedule an appointment with one of our caring Attorneys

schedule an appointment with one of our caring Attorneys

Highland Park, IL

Divorce

Family Law

Custody, visitation, parental responsibilities

Mother’s Right

Custody without Marriage

High Net Worth

Domestic Violence

Other Familylaw Services

Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group Serving Highland Park, IL

MeetOur Team Of Attorneys

Joshua Haid

James Teich

Pamela Kuzniar

Megan Suchy Rayford

Morgan Gay

Suzette Pierson

THERE WHEN YOUNEED US MOST

schedule an appointment with one of our caring Attorneys

THERE WHEN YOU
NEED US MOST