630-584-4800

630-584-4800

St. Charles Divorce Lawyers

Divorce Lawyers Serving Clients in Kane County and Throughout Illinois

No matter how long you have been married, getting a divorce can be supremely challenging in many ways. Separating a marital estate is not easy, and neither is making decisions about how to co-parent. With experienced and knowledgeable legal representation, however, a difficult task can be made as efficient as possible. That is our goal at the Kane County law firm of Goostree Law Group. We aim to make the divorce process as painless as possible while protecting our clients' rights and fighting to achieve their objectives. Whether you are already involved in divorce proceedings or you are in the early divorce planning stage, we can help get you through this challenging time.

Experienced Divorce Representation in Kane County

In Illinois, the process of getting a divorce is called dissolution of marriage and most of the laws pertaining to divorce are found in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5). Our attorneys are highly knowledgeable about Illinois divorce law, and we use our knowledge to help find creative solutions to divorce-related disputes, including:

Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who strive to reach a mutually acceptable settlement wherever possible. There are a number of benefits to settling a divorce through negotiation or mediation, such as:

  • Saving time – Going to trial can stretch out the time it takes to reach a resolution by months and sometimes years.
  • Saving money – Attorney fees can add up over a lengthy litigation.
  • Minimizing contentiousness – The adversarial nature of litigation often invites combativeness rather than compromise. A contentious battle is harmful to any children involved as well as to both spouses.
  • Preventing some stress – Worrying about the ultimate outcome of the divorce over a long period of time is extremely stressful.
  • Maintaining control – When you go to trial, you relinquish control of the outcome to the judge.
  • Maintaining privacy – Dissolving a marriage is intensely personal. Litigating divorce disputes exposes private matters to the court.
  • Preserving an amicable co-parenting relationship – After an acrimonious trial, coming together to co-parent amicably can be very difficult.

While we work to help our clients complete uncontested divorces whenever possible, we are also prepared to address issues that may arise during a high-conflict divorce, and we will always work to protect our clients' rights and help them resolve disputes successfully. We can help address complex issues that may arise in high-asset divorce cases, and we can also help older couples and stay-at-home parents protect their rights and interests as they seek to end their marriages. Following the completion of the divorce process, we can help ex-spouses seek post-divorce modifications or take steps to enforce divorce orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Illinois?

Answer: It depends. Some spouses are able to quickly reach an agreement and finalize their divorce in as little as a few months. Other spouses are not able to resolve their divorce by mutual agreement and will need to go through divorce litigation. Divorce litigation can prolong the process significantly. Spouses who share high-value assets and children tend to take longer to finalize their divorce than spouses who share few assets and have no children in common.

Q

What Solutions Other Than Divorce Litigation Are Available?

Answer: Many couples - even those who are not getting along at all - are able to resolve their divorce by reaching an agreement on each issue. Mediation can be a very effective solution. During divorce mediation, you and your spouse will each be represented by your own attorney. You will agree on a neutral mediator. The mediator will go back and forth speaking to each of you and your counsel about each issue until an agreement can be reached. Attorney-facilitated negotiation is also an option. In this dispute resolution method, you and your spouse will communicate through your attorneys and negotiate each issue. If these methods succeed, you can file an uncontested divorce.

Q

What Is the Difference Between Marital Property and Separate Property?

Answer: Each spouse is entitled to keep their own separate property. Separate property includes things like property you owned before you got married, gifts and inheritances you received individually, and property you previously agreed would be your separate property. Marital property includes just about everything else you acquired during the marriage, even if it was paid for using only one spouse's income. Even contributions made to a retirement account by one spouse during the marriage are generally considered marital property.

Q

How do Illinois Courts Divide Marital Property Between Spouses During a Divorce?

Answer: If you and your spouse are not able to agree on property division, the court will aim to divide marital property in a fair and equitable manner. It is important to note that this does not mean that property will be divided 50/50. Rather, courts will consider a number of factors to determine how your marital property should be divided in a way that is fair to both of you. It is very important that you have strong legal representation if you will need the court to make decisions about the division of marital property.

Contact Our St. Charles Divorce Attorneys

While a successful settlement is the preferred resolution, we understand that is not always possible. There are many times when one or more issues cannot be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Our attorneys are always prepared to strongly advocate for our clients' interests before a judge. We are skilled and experienced litigators, and we fight for our clients in court.

If you are considering filing for divorce, or if you are already a part of divorce proceedings, contact us at 630-584-4800 to schedule a free consultation. We will meet with you and discuss your legal options moving forward. Our firm handles cases in Northern Illinois, including Kane County and the surrounding areas.

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