Chicago Divorce Lawyer

If you are considering divorce or have already begun the divorce process, you are not only going through a very difficult time, but you also have a lot of work ahead of you. The fact is that divorce is a complicated legal matter that requires your utmost attention and focus. The terms of your divorce can profoundly affect you and your children’s future, so working closely with an experienced Chicago divorce lawyer is key. 

Complicating Factors

Every divorce is complicated, but there are several factors that can further complicate things. For example, if you started a business during the course of your marriage, if yours is a high asset divorce, and/or if your divorce is highly contentious, it can make your divorce far more difficult to finalize. Regardless of the complicating factors involved, however, the best path forward is always to remain focused on your priorities and on the work ahead of you.

Divorce Basics

Every divorce – from the most complicated to the most amicable – has several primary components that include:

• Child Custody Arrangements (typically this involves determining if the parties are capable of having shared legal custody or if one party will be granted soled legal custody while the other party is granted visitation. )
• Child Visitation Schedule (typically this involves determining if it is possible to establish a 50/50 custody arrangement or, if that is not possible, to determine who the children will live with primarily and to establish a visitation schedule for the other parent)
• Division of Marital Property (that property that you and your spouse acquired as a married couple)
• Child Support (support will be determined by the current State statute based on a calculation taking into account both parties’ income)
• Spousal Support (better known as alimony or maintenance)

If you and your divorcing spouse can find middle ground on each of these factors, you’ll be able to move forward toward finalizing your divorce with nothing more than the aid of your respective attorneys. Often, however, divorcing couples come up against one or more sticking points that require further intervention.

Hammering Out Your Divorce Details

If you and your divorcing spouse have an issue for which you aren’t able to find an acceptable compromise, you have options, including:

• Your respective attorneys can negotiate on your behalf in an attempt to find a workable solution.
• You and your respective attorneys can enter into mediation in which a professional mediator helps you explore alternatives that might work. Many divorces can be finalized outside of court, and mediation provides you with the opportunity to hammer out terms before you abdicate your decision-making power to the court. 
• If your divorce is especially complicated and/or especially contentious, you may require the court’s intervention. It’s important to remember, however, that if you and your divorcing spouse have already agreed to one or more terms of a divorce, you’ll only need the court’s intervention on those issues that require further attention. 

It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Chicago Divorce Lawyer

Your divorce terms will reverberate far into your future, which is why it’s so important to work closely with a knowledgeable divorce attorney. The formidable legal team at The Law Offices of George M. Sanders in Chicago is committed to skillfully advocating on behalf of your rights and for divorce terms that work for you. We’re on your side, so please don’t hesitate to contact us today.