Searching for Experienced Divorce Attorneys in or around Libertyville?

Serving Waukegan, Libertyville, Lake County, Gurnee & Nearby Areas of Illinois

Divorce agreement hands folded

Divorce in Illinois allows you to terminate a marriage because of irreconcilable differences. The process in our state allows for couples to dissolve marriages quickly and efficiently, as long as they are in agreement about the terms.

If they are not in agreement, the terms of divorce must be negotiated or decided by a judge. In all types of divorces, whether contested or uncontested, having an experienced divorce attorney on your side protects your rights and your best interests.

To learn more about family law and retaining a divorce attorney in Libertyville, please browse the sections below. For a free consultation with our experienced, compassionate Libertyville and Waukegan divorce lawyers, please call the Law Offices of Thaddeus M. Bond, Jr. & Associates at 847.599.9101.

Divorce in Illinois

Divorce is also known as dissolution of marriage in Illinois. In our state, divorce is technically no-fault only. No longer do contested divorces based on proving fault hinge on whether one spouse can prove adultery, substance abuse, abandonment or other grounds. Instead, divorce proceedings must show only the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Our experienced attorneys will help you dissolve the marriage.

"Is there a waiting period?" In an uncontested divorce where both parties agree to the terms, there is no required waiting period. If you or your spouse contests or challenges the terms or the divorce itself, then there is an option of a 6-month separation period. This separation does not mean you must live at separate addresses, but that you are living separate lives.

It goes without saying that the end of a marriage is an emotionally charged period of your life. In addition to any emotional pain you may be experiencing, divorce also has implications for your future and your children's future, financially and otherwise. Before divorce is granted, the following must be settled:

  • Division of property
  • Division of debt
  • Alimony payments, if applicable
  • Child custody and visitation
  • Child support

As experienced divorce attorneys, we will:

  • Protect your rights and your interests
  • Provide informed and experienced guidance
  • Make sure you know what your options are

Call us for more information about how we can help you dissolve your marriage with the most beneficial, amicable outcomes. We provide our legal services for all aspects of the process, including filing the petition for dissolution of marriage, filing restraining orders if appropriate, and discovery of assets and debts. Our attorneys negotiate terms in your best interest while maintaining professionalism with the other party.

Mediation

Divorce single mother with baby

Mediation is a way for you and your ex-spouse to work out the terms of the divorce with minimal or no decisions made by a judge. It puts the decision-making and terms in the hands of you and your former partner.

Many issues can be resolved through mediation, including:

  • Parental responsibilities
  • Parental time (i.e. custody and visitation)
  • Debt division
  • Division of real estate, investments and other assets
  • Spousal support

Mediators are neutral third parties. The idea is that the mediator does not have a preference for the interests of one party over the other. If an agreement cannot be reached through mediation, you can rest assured that the sessions were confidential. The mediator cannot talk to the judge or anyone else about what happened during those sessions.

June M. Peterson-Gleason is an experienced mediator from the Law Offices of Thaddeus M. Bond, Jr. & Associates. Mediation has the following benefits:

  • The process is private. Only the people actually involved in the conflict, those who represent them, and those who are needed to resolve the problem should attend.
  • Participation is voluntary. No resolution should be forced on any participant. Any resolution is by mutual agreement.
  • The people involved control the outcome of the mediation. People are responsible for their conflict and choosing their own solutions.
  • Informed choices are made. The people involved must have enough information with which to make informed decisions about their conflict’s resolution.
  • Mediation is confidential. Others do not need to know about what happens in the mediation unless there are compelling reasons to limit confidentiality and the participants and the mediator agree that it would be beneficial.

June manages the process, but has no stake in or ability to decide the outcome of the dispute. Our mediation attorney:

  • Provides a comfortable facility to meet if needed
  • Assists with getting the correct people into the meetings
  • Manages emotions
  • Helps to ease communication
  • Provides for the safe, constructive exchange of information
  • Reminds the people involved that the agreement must be mutually acceptable
  • Reality-tests the plan and, if necessary, documents the agreement
  • Keeps the focus on problem-solving
  • Teaches negotiation skills
  • Ensures the process keeps moving

Call our law firm today to find out if our mediation services can help you resolve the dissolution of your marriage in an efficient, agreeable manner

5 Typical Phases of Divorce Proceedings

Divorce couple on sofa

Typical divorce proceedings in our state follow this pattern:

1. Petition

One party to the marriage may begin the legal process for the dissolution of marriage by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The person filing the initial petition is referred to as the “Petitioner.” The party responding to the proceedings is referred to as the “Respondent.”

Once the petition is filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the appropriate County, the Petition and a Summons will be served upon the respondent by a sheriff or a private process server.

2. The Response

Once served, the Respondent has 30 days to file an appearance and written response. If the Respondent fails to file a Response in this time, the Petitioner may request the Court to hold the Respondent in default to proceed with the divorce.

If either party requires that formal restraining orders or injunctions be placed against the other party, either party may file pleadings with the Court to request protection for themselves, dependent children or marital property.

3. Discovery

The next step in the process is referred to as “discovery.” This is the formal investigation the parties participate in to assist in disclosing all financial documentation relating to the parties’ assets and debts.

Assets and debts of the parties need to be classified as “marital property” or “non-marital” property. Assets and debts accumulated by the parties during their marriage may be classified as “marital property” unless it is:

  • Property acquired by gift, legacy or descent
  • Property acquired in exchange for property acquired before the marriage or in exchange for property acquired by gift, legacy or descent
  • Property acquired by a spouse after a judgment of legal separation
  • Property excluded from the tally of marital property by valid agreement of the parties
  • Any judgment or property obtained by judgment awarded to a spouse from the other spouse
  • Property acquired before the marriage
  • The increase in value of property acquired by a method listed above
  • Income from the property acquired by a method listed above, if the income is not attributable to the personal effort of a spouse.

There may be exceptions to the above based upon the particular facts and circumstances of individual cases.

If either party is concerned about information being hidden from them or one party handled all the finances during a marriage, discovery is a tool to be used in gaining information about the parties’ financial picture. During this process of gathering information, our firm can assist you in using the appropriate discovery tools to be sure all pertinent information is obtained.

4. Negotiated Settlement

Once all information has been exchanged so both parties’ have a working knowledge of their financial picture, values have been obtained for various assets and debts, property is identified as marital and/or non-marital, then the parties can begin the process of discussing and negotiating a final settlement.

It is during this process that our firm can assist you in making an informed decision about your present and future needs. As skilled negotiators experienced in the area of domestic relations cases, we can assist you in objectively assessing the areas most important to you in moving forward, to hopefully resolve issues in a practical, sensible manner, taking into consideration your desires and the needs of your family.

Many cases involve child custody/visitation issues as well as financial assets and debts to work through during the negotiation process. Both of these areas can be very emotional for people and difficult to work through in a rational, sensible way. We strive to ensure your desires for your child’s well being in custody/visitation matters receive attention. We also strive to ensure you receive a fair and equitable division of the assets and debts accumulated during the marriage.

We understand that the divorce process is not only an emotionally draining experience, but it can also be a financially draining experience. Our lawyers are sensitive to the time it takes to resolve your case. We are very conscious of the costs involved and do not proceed with unnecessary measures that will drive the costs of the case up. We proceed with care, input and authorization from you. If you and your spouse are unable to come to a mutually agreeable settlement, then the case may proceed to trial.

5. Trial

During a trial, we will help you present all the relevant facts and evidence to the judge to allow the judge to reach a fair and equitable result. Together, we will assist you in deciding how to proceed with the case, necessary witnesses, experts and documents, which support your position. We will assist you in compiling appropriate documentary evidence, including, if necessary, the use of investigators to acquire vital information. We work to ensure the judge receives all relevant, pertinent and appropriate information, which is the basis of your case.

Spousal Maintenance – Alimony

Alimony or spousal support is an important aspect of your divorce. It could have far-reaching effects on your life. As experienced divorce attorneys, our firm will fight to make sure any alimony agreement in your divorce is fair and in your best interest.

Father son child custody

Child Custody – Parenting Responsibilities

Your child’s welfare and quality of life means the world to you. The last thing you want is for the ending of your marriage to negatively affect your child.

Our firm understands how important your children are to you. We can help you with all aspects of child custody in your divorce.

Child Support

Although child support is often decided between parents who were never married, such as in a paternity dispute, in this section of the website we deal with support in the context of divorce.

In Illinois, child support decisions are based on a model of income shares. This means each parent’s income is factored into the calculation, including the parent who is receiving the support. The state also considers the parents’ incomes relevant to one another, and how much time each parent spends with the child.

First, the court will determine a lump sum of support the child needs. Then, they use the calculations outlined by state statute, as well as the factors described above, to determine what each parent must pay.

Although there is a formula involved with the calculation of child support, having an experienced attorney on your side can help. We will make sure all aspects are carried out correctly. If you do not want to leave this issue up to the court, we can provide an experienced mediator for you and your ex-partner to discuss terms. If it goes to a judge, we will fight tirelessly for your parenting rights.

Property and Asset Division

In a marriage, you acquire property and other assets (real estate, money, investments) as a couple. You may also have assets from before your marriage. When a marriage is dissolved, these things must be divided up. Generally, anything acquired during the marriage is considered “marital property,” while pre-marriage items are not considered marital property.

Like other aspects of divorce, asset division can be decided and agreed upon between the ex-spouses with the aid of their lawyers, or the courts decide it for you if you cannot come to an agreement or contest any of the terms.

Illinois is an equitable division state. This does not mean property and assets are divided 50/50 between the parties. Instead, it is a reasonable and just division in the eyes of the court that is not always equal. To determine this equitable division, the court may factor in:

  • How many years you were married
  • Lifestyle during the marriage
  • The age of you and your former spouse
  • Physical health
  • Real estate and other assets brought into the marriage

Like all aspects of divorce, property division can be stressful. As the calm, cool-headed advocates on your side, our experienced attorneys will help you pursue the best path forward with your ex-spouse. Rely on us to look out for your interests while assets are being divvied up.

Your Free Consultation

For a FREE case evaluation with our experienced divorce attorneys in Waukegan and Libertyville, please call the Law Offices of Thaddeus M. Bond, Jr. & Associates at 847.599.9101.. We proudly represent people from across Illinois, including all of Gurnee and Lake County.

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