You may benefit from speaking with a family law attorney whenever you’re facing a situation that could affect your rights, your children, your finances, or the structure of your family, even if you’re not sure it’s a “legal case” yet. A family law attorney helps you understand your options early, protects your interests, and gives you clarity during moments when personal decisions and legal questions overlap. If something in your life feels complicated, uncertain, or high-stakes, a consultation never hurts.
Family Law
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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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Custody without Marriage
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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Dissolution of long term marriage
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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Divorce
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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Divorce for business owners
Working with an experienced attorney who can help you to ensure that a business valuation occurs in a fair and accurate matter is essential.
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Domestic Violence
We provide the caring, compassionate service you need while using our legal knowledge and experience to bring perpetrators to justice.
Chicago Family Law Attorneys
The Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group has years of experience guiding women and mothers through the complexities of the legal system. We are here to listen to your story and your goals moving forward and then counsel you about your legal options.
Most people are unaware of all the legalities of divorce, but our law office can help you develop and produce a plan to deal with any conflicts or discrepancies that occur with the dissolution of a marriage.
Some of the issues could be splitting the parental responsibilities, transitioning to one income, or dividing the household property collected during the marriage. You can be confident that we will assist you through each detail of your case. Our attorneys will advocate for you in matters such as:
- Divorce – We represent women (and men, too) in both uncontested and contested divorce cases, while recognizing that any divorce scenario can be extremely sensitive and difficult for our clients. Our first priority is to answer your questions, carefully explain the law to you as it relates to your unique situation, and formulate a plan of action to best advance your interests and protect your rights. For more information about dissolving a marriage in Illinois, please see our divorce page.
- Custody & Visitation – Unless a parent is abusive or neglectful, family courts generally believe that it is in a child’s best interests to maintain a relationship with both parents. However, when deciding with whom a child will primarily live, courts will often favor the person who has been the child’s primary caregiver. In many cases, this is the child’s mother, even when both parents work outside the home. For more information about the factors courts consider when allocating parenting time, please see our custody and visitation page.
- Child Support – The amount of child support you are entitled to receive (or obligated to pay) will depend on the noncustodial parents’ (the parent that is not the primary residential parent) net income and how many children he or she is responsible for supporting. A court may also consider other factors such as whether the child has any special needs (any disabilities, etc.), the independent resources and needs of the child and custodial parent, and maintaining the child’s current standard of living. For more information, please see our child support page.
- Modifying and Enforcing Divorce & Custody Agreements – All too often, people experience much of the same behavior from their ex-spouse post-divorce as they experienced during the marriage. Even years after a marriage has ended, a former spouse may not be cooperating or may be trying to manipulate the terms of the agreement. Also, other life events may occur that affect the terms of a divorce or custody agreement. For example, one parent may relocate, making the current visitation agreement impossible. When circumstances change (or need to change), we help clients seek post-judgment modifications to address their needs. Our family lawyers also help clients enforce court orders for custody and support. See our page on modifying and enforcing divorce and custody agreements for more information about handling post-divorce issues.
- Prenuptial Agreements & Pre-Divorce Planning – Entering into a prenuptial agreement is a smart decision for many couples intending to marry. Remember, people don’t expect to need life insurance, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea! This type of agreement can significantly simplify and save substantial costs in the event the couple divorces down the road. Prenuptial agreements can provide for how marital property is to be distributed in the event of divorce or separation, protect assets, or protect income and inheritance plans for loved ones. Please see our prenuptial agreements and pre-divorce planning page for more information.
- Pre-Divorce Planning – We also provide a unique service in Illinois which we call Pre-Divorce Planning. The purpose of pre-divorce planning is to help clients anticipate what will occur if a divorce happens and what steps can be taken to insulate themselves and protect their interests. Please contact us directly for more information about this.
- Other Family Law Services
- Our firm is credited with filing Illinois’ first-ever civil-union divorce (e.g., same-sex divorce), and continues to provide quality legal services to nontraditional and alternative families.
- Some of our attorneys also have extensive business and corporate law experience, which is critical in divorces that involve a business owned by one or both spouses. This experience enables us to help if a divorcing couple has a business or business interests in common. For more information about these topics, please see our other family law services page.
Contact the Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group in Chicago, Illinois
If you are facing divorce, the Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group is here to help you navigate the road ahead. To schedule a consultation, please contact us here to schedule a free initial consultation at our offices in Chicago, Lake Forest, or Lisle. We will take the time to understand your unique situation and offer advice and options tailored to your needs and those of your family.
FAQs About Illinois Family Law
What Should I Bring to My First Meeting With a Family Law Attorney?
You should bring any documents relevant to your case to your first meeting. This preparation helps the attorney understand your situation more quickly and offer insightful advice. Useful items include:
- Any legal papers you have been served.
- Financial records, including bank statements, tax returns, and pay stubs.
- A list of important dates and a summary of your situation.
- A list of questions you want to ask.
How Do I Choose the Right Family Law Attorney for My Case?
Choosing the right attorney is a personal decision that depends on your specific needs and comfort level. Look for a lawyer with experience in the area of family law relevant to your case, such as divorce or child custody. It is also important to find someone you can communicate with openly and trust to handle your case with care. Reading reviews and scheduling initial consultations can help you make an informed choice.
Can Family Law Cases Be Resolved Without Going to Court?
Yes, many family law cases are resolved without going to court. Methods like mediation, collaborative law, or direct negotiation between attorneys can lead to a settlement agreement. These approaches often save time, reduce costs, and allow for more creative and amicable solutions. An agreement reached outside of court can then be submitted for judicial approval to become a legally binding order.
How Do I Handle Family Law Disputes Without Escalating Conflict?
You can handle disputes by focusing on clear communication and prioritizing the well-being of any children. It is helpful to stay calm, listen to the other party’s point of view, and be willing to compromise. Using alternative dispute resolution methods, like mediation, provides a structured environment to work through disagreements constructively.
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