Lake Forest Divorce Attorneys Fight for Women and Mothers

Lake Forest Divorce Attorneys That Put Women and Mothers First

From talking with family and friends, you may be familiar with divorce law. However, it’s tough to fully appreciate complex Illinois law unless you have an experienced lawyer to protect your rights. Plus, there have been some significant changes to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act recently and the amendments relate to all divorce cases. It’s critical to consult with a skilled lawyer who understands how the new law applies to women and mothers with children.

The attorneys at Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group would always discuss your specific circumstances before offering advice, but it may be helpful to understand divorce basics. The statute applies to different issues depending on your case.

• Valuation and Distribution of Property: The assets you accumulate during your marriage are divided as part of the divorce process. If you cannot agree on a distribution of marital property, courts consider each spouse’s income, needs, earning capacity, and other issues to make a fair and equitable division.
• Spousal Support: There is a legal formula for determining alimony, which is Illinois law refers to as spousal support. The income of each spouse and the duration of the marriage are significant factors, but judges consider all of the facts in each case.
• The Parenting Plan: Under the new statute, Illinois eliminates the traditional concepts of “custody” and “visitation.” The law in effect now requires a shared approach to addressing the needs of minor children, which is summarized in the Parenting Plan. The arrangement allocates parental responsibilities, decision making, and parenting time, and encourages parents to agree if possible.
• Child Support: A court may require a non-residential parent to pay child support for basic needs. However, Illinois law allows a judge to order additional financial contributions for health insurance, daycare services, education, and extracurricular activities.