Naperville Divorce Attorneys Fighting for the Rights of Women and Mothers

Divorce Lawyers Representing Women’s and Mother’s Interests

You may have some familiarity or personal experience with divorce, but it can still be difficult to appreciate the complex nature of Illinois law unless you have a qualified attorney to advise you. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the law which governs divorces, has recently undergone significant changes recently. The new provisions have a considerable impact on couples and families with minor children. Therefore, it’s critical to retain a knowledgeable lawyer who has years of experience representing women and mothers.

While our attorneys at Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group would always consult with you on the details of your case, it may be helpful to understand some basics on how the divorce process works in Illinois. The law addresses a number of issues depending on your circumstances.

• Valuation and Distribution of Assets: Property acquired during your marriage is subject to division between the spouses, based upon the concepts of fairness and equity. The statute requires courts to consider such factors as income, financial need, and earning capacity when distributing marital assets.
• Spousal Support: Under Illinois law, there is a formula to calculate financial support for a spouse, commonly known as alimony. The income of both spouses and the duration of the marriage are considerations, but a judge determines spousal maintenance based upon the facts of each individual case.
• Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time: The new Illinois divorce statute eliminates the traditional notions of “custody” and “visitation” in addressing the needs of minor children. The law now requires a shared approach to caring for children, including allocation of parental responsibilities, decision making, and parenting time. The Parenting Plan is a major component of your final divorce decree.
• Child Support: The non-residential parent may have support obligations to cover the basic needs of minor children. There are legal guidelines for child support, but the law also allows for additional payments for health insurance, daycare, education, and extracurricular activities.