Should I Work with a Divorce Lawyer If I Want an Amicable Split?
When a married person realizes that divorce is on the horizon, he or she may look for ways to reduce the complexity and acrimony of the divorce as much as possible. Many people facing divorce ask themselves, “Do I really need a lawyer to get divorced?” They may worry that getting a divorce will send the wrong message or even exacerbate the tension between them and their soon-to-be ex.
Working with an experienced divorce attorney can be advantageous for many different reasons. Contrary to popular belief, retaining a lawyer does not necessarily increase the contention between spouses. Modern divorce lawyers understand that spouses want to resolve their divorce with as little difficulty and conflict as possible. An experienced attorney will know how to provide the guidance and support a spouse needs while encouraging cooperation between the parties.
Working Toward a Divorce Settlement While Protecting Your Rights
Divorcing spouses will need to address several important issues when they end their marriage. Spouses must determine what assets are non-marital and what assets are part of the marital estate. Marital property, including liquid assets, investments, real estate, and retirement accounts, will need to be valued and divided. If the couple shares children, the spouses will need to formulate a parenting plan that describes how the parents will make major decisions about their child, including educational and healthcare decisions. They must also establish a parenting time schedule that describes when each parent will care for the children. In some cases, the spouses will also need to address alimony or spousal maintenance.
Spouses may be able to negotiate the terms of their divorce and reach an agreement on these issues with help from their respective attorneys. When you retain a divorce lawyer, his or her main priority is to help you reach your divorce goals. Many divorcing spouses have conflicting opinions and ideas about who should have the majority of the parenting time, who should keep the marital home, how much spousal support will be paid, or other issues. If you and your spouse disagree, your spouse may be able to help you reach a compromise without needing to go to court. An experienced divorce lawyer will have a deep understanding of Illinois divorce law and may have ideas and suggestions you have not thought of.
In addition to helping you and your spouse negotiate an out-of-court agreement on property division, child custody, and other divorce matters, your lawyer also protects your rights. Even if you want an amicable split, it is important to stand up for your rights and ensure that the divorce outcome is not unfairly skewed in your spouse’s favor.
Contact our St. Charles Divorce Lawyers
At Goostree Law Group, we understand that divorcing spouses want to pursue a favorable divorce outcome without adding unnecessary conflict or tension to the divorce process. Our Kane County divorce attorneys can provide the personalized guidance and support you need. Call 630-584-4800 and set up a free, confidential consultation.
Source:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59