Before filing for divorce, it’s important to take stock of your financial situation. Gather documentation for all assets, debts, income, and expenses, including bank statements, tax returns, credit card statements, and loan agreements. Open a bank account in your name to start building financial independence, if you haven’t already. Creating a budget for post-divorce life can also help you plan your financial future.
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Child support
For many mothers, getting child support established during a divorce or separation is important for maintaining stability in the home.
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Complex property division
To help you protect your property and your best interests during a divorce, our attorneys are prepared to advocate for you.
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Custody, visitation & parental responsibilities
When mothers file for divorce, child custody issues are a top concern. Our lawyers focus on and advocate for mothers’ rights.
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Whatever the circumstance, parental responsibilities can still be allocated, and both parents can share important decision-making responsibilities and parenting time.
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After years or sometimes decades of marriage, elements of a divorce, such as the division of marital property, can become quite complicated.
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Most people are unfamiliar with the divorce process. We will help you create & execute a plan to manage the difficulties that come with ending a marriage.
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Chicago Divorce Attorneys Devoted to Protecting Women and Mothers
Divorce can shake your world in ways you never imagined, testing your strength, your patience, and your hope for the future. For women and mothers, the stakes feel even higher. You’re not only protecting your own well-being, but also the security and happiness of your children. At the Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group, we understand the unique challenges you face, because we’ve dedicated our work to standing beside women just like you. As Chicago’s first law firm devoted to protecting women’s and mothers’ rights in divorce, we’re here to guide you through the storm, fight for what matters most, and help you step into the next chapter of your life with confidence and clarity.
What Challenges Will You Have to Overcome?
Divorce presents challenges for women that men often don’t experience to the same extent. Here are some you may face:
1. Financial Challenges
For many women, financial concerns are a major hurdle during and after divorce. Women who earn less than their partners, or have stepped away from the workforce to raise children, often worry about maintaining their standard of living. The lack of a steady income or career disruptions can leave women feeling financially vulnerable as they try to rebuild their lives.
2. Custody Battles and Emotional Weight
Custody battles add another layer of stress. Women often carry the emotional burden of protecting their children’s well-being throughout the process. This includes fears about losing time with their kids or not securing enough child support to meet their needs. While both parents typically want what’s best for their children, societal expectations often place greater responsibility and emotional pressure on mothers.
3. Social Stigma and Judgment
Women who initiate divorce frequently face more societal judgment than men. There’s still pressure for women to “hold the family together,” which can make the decision to leave a marriage even more difficult. This stigma often leads to feelings of guilt or isolation, making an already challenging process even harder to get through.
These challenges underscore the need for Chicago divorce attorneys who genuinely understand the unique guidance, advocacy, and compassion women can benefit from.
What Issues Will You Need to Address?
Divorce requires women to make countless critical decisions that will have long-term impacts on them and their children. Here’s what you’ll need to address:
- Property Division
Determine what qualifies as marital property versus separate property. This can be particularly complex when dividing assets like real estate, investments, and retirement accounts.
- Child Custody and Support
Create custody and support arrangements that prioritize your children’s best interests while protecting your parental rights.
- Spousal Support
Evaluate financial needs and contributions to the marriage to determine fair spousal support.
- Healthcare and Insurance
Plan for ongoing coverage for both you and your children post-divorce.
- Debt Allocation
Make sure debts are divided fairly so you’re not left with obligations that aren’t yours to bear.
Each of these decisions will shape your life after divorce. Having experienced legal guidance is essential to protect your interests.
What Illinois Divorce Requirements Will You Need to Meet?
Illinois operates under a no-fault divorce system, meaning you don’t need to prove wrongdoing by your spouse. You can only cite “irreconcilable differences” as grounds for divorce—differences that have caused the irretrievable breakdown of your marriage when reconciliation efforts have failed or would be impractical.
To get a divorce in Illinois, either you or your spouse must have been an Illinois resident for 90 consecutive days before filing, or stationed in Illinois as a military member for 90 days. The law requires couples to live separately for at least six months before divorce proceedings can be concluded, although this timeframe was reduced from the previous two-year requirement.
This no-fault approach streamlines the process, but it doesn’t eliminate the complexity of dividing assets, determining custody, or calculating support. Having knowledgeable advocates helps you understand your rights and options within this framework.
Let Us Help You Take Charge of Your Divorce
Every woman and mother deserves the right to end a marriage that no longer serves her well-being or her family’s future. At the Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group, we stand with you, fighting for your rights, your security, and your peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first empowered step toward the future you deserve.
FAQs About Divorce in Illinois
What rights do stay-at-home mothers have during a divorce?
Stay-at-home mothers have the right to pursue spousal support, child support, and an equitable share of marital assets. Courts recognize the non-financial contributions stay-at-home mothers make to a marriage, such as childcare and household management, and these contributions are considered when determining support and property division.
How long will my divorce take?
The length of the divorce process in Illinois varies depending on how complex your situation is and whether you and your spouse can reach an agreement. Uncontested divorces may take just a few months, while contested divorces can take a year or longer. A skilled Chicago divorce attorney can help streamline the process and minimize delays.
Am I making the right decision to divorce?
Only you can ultimately decide whether divorce is the right choice, but it’s normal to feel uncertain, especially when children, finances, and years of shared history are involved. Many women wrestle with feelings of guilt, fear of the unknown, and concern about how the decision will affect their children.
If you’ve tried to address the problems in your marriage through communication, counseling, or other means but still find yourself in an unhealthy, unsafe, or unfulfilling relationship, it may be a sign that moving forward separately is best.
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