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Protecting
what you hold
close when it Matters Most.
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:
- Property division
- Allocation of debt
- Alimony/maintenance
- Child custody, now called the allocation of parental responsibilities
- Visitation, now called parenting time
- Child support
- College expenses
- Tax implications of divorce
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Awarding a new
generation of
leaders $2,500 every
college semester.
Through the Goostree Law Group Bright Futures Scholarship, we provide help to college students with a demonstrated financial need who have shown a passion for leadership and a drive to achieve academic success. We encourage you to apply for our scholarship so that we can help you pursue your goals.
TrustedAward-WinningExperienced
If you are in need of experienced and skillful divorce or family law representation, contact us at 630-584-4800 to schedule a free consultation.
We will explain what you can expect from the legal process and work with you to plan a strategy for success. We work with clients throughout Northern Illinois including Kane County and the surrounding areas.
High Asset
Divorce
Couples that have a high net worth may need to address multiple types of complex financial issues during the divorce process. We can assist with the valuation of business assets, protecting professional practices, uncovering hidden assets, appraising real estate and other valuable assets, protecting investments, and other concerns that may affect these cases.
Divorce Over 50
The divorce rate for couples over age 50 has more than doubled in recent years. This can be attributed to several factors, not the least of which is the desire to live an emotionally happy and satisfying life. With children grown and the number of years ahead of major concern, many older couples are choosing to go their separate ways. Called "gray divorce", these cases have issues that are very different from younger couples. With more years together, there are often more complex assets including businesses and real estate, to divide.
A "gray divorce" may involve assets, including businesses and real estate. One or both spouses may be close to retirement, impacting spousal maintenance and other financial concerns. There may also be health issues to take into consideration. At Goostree Law Group, we can help you address divorce-related issues as you near your retirement years.
Always Keeping
Your Child's Best
Interest in Mind
At Goostree Law Group, we understand the emotional turmoil that comes with any family law issue involving children. While most parents try to protect their children and want the best for them, it can become difficult when opposing parties have different agendas.
Our experienced attorneys care deeply about our clients and their children. We will attempt to minimize conflict when possible but seek solutions in the courtroom when necessary. If you have an issue related to children including support, parenting time or parental decision making, we can help address:
- Child Support including deviations, special needs, enforcement and extra-curricular expenses;
- Child Custody and the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities including divorce decrees finalized under previous laws;
- Parenting Time and Visitation including restricted or supervised;
- Severing Parental Rights; and
- Relocation of the Custodial Parent including out of state removals.
While we strive to negotiate a favorable settlement for our clients in every case we take, we are always prepared to go to trial if negotiations fail. As strong litigators, we know how to effectively present our clients’ case to a judge.
Family Law
Beyond Divorce
If you are not yet ready to legally terminate your marriage, you may opt for a legal separation while remaining legally married to your spouse. If you are an unmarried parent, you may need to establish paternity for your child. Family law also includes the preparation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, which have become more and more commonplace in the world of marrying later, wealth accumulation, and multiple marriages.
The attorneys at Goostree Law Group have over 80 years of combined experience in the practice of family law. We represent parents seeking to establish paternity in order to receive support or to enjoy time with their child. We assist same-sex couples seeking to divorce and establish the division of assets from years of accumulation prior to legal marriage. And, we seek to protect our clients and their families from domestic violence through orders of protection. If you have a family law matter that needs legal guidance, contact Goostree Law Group today.
“...In the midst of the drama inherent in any divorce, I knew Goostree was an anchor that I could count on for advice...”
High Conflict Divorce Issues
While some divorces are able to be resolved amicably, many are not. A variety of issues can lead to high conflict divorce situations including cheating, financial dishonesty, mental health problems, anger issues, and addiction. At Goostree Law Group, we are prepared to seek orders of protection against stalking and harassing behavior, as well as defend against false allegations.
Enforcement & Modifications
Once a divorce is final, most people hope to move on with their lives without the need for attorneys and judges. Unfortunately, many divorces require legal intervention after the initial decree is final. Whether you have issues related to changes in circumstances, non-payment of support or parental conflicts, Goostree Law Group can help keep you moving forward.
From Our Clients
Tricia has been invaluable in helping resolve my post-divorce custody issues. She navigated tough situations and got fantastic results...
Michael Ritacco via Google
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630-584-4800
555 S. Randall Road, Suite 200
St. Charles, IL 60174
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