Evanston Family Law Lawyers

Illinois Family Lawyer Assisting Clients in Evanston

Family law is a broad area of the law that covers many different legal issues that can affect families. For example, when a couple is getting married and needs assistance drafting a premarital agreement, they turn to a family law attorney to ensure that the agreement is valid and enforceable in the event of a divorce. Or, for instance, any matters pertaining to divorce, from the division of marital property to the allocation of parental responsibilities, involves family law in Illinois. Moreover, family law attorneys also help with issues concerning domestic violence, including answering questions about protective orders.

No matter what type of family law issue you are facing, an experienced Evanston family law attorney can help you with your case. Do not hesitate to reach out to an advocate at the Law Offices of George M. Sanders P.C. to learn more about how we can assist you.

Drafting a Premarital Agreement in Evanston

While many people assume that premarital agreements (or prenuptial agreements) are only for wealthy parties, in fact premarital agreements can be helpful to almost any couple. The Illinois Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (750 ILCS 10/) governs premarital agreements in Evanston and throughout the state.

A premarital agreement is a contract between two parties that can help to clarify what will happen to property in the event of a divorce, as well as issues of spousal maintenance. Child support cannot be included in any premarital agreement.

Filing for Divorce in Evanston

Nearly all divorce matters in Evanston are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/). This statute governs issues surrounding marriage, divorce, and even the allocation of parental responsibilities. Our team often assists clients with the process of filing for divorce. Illinois used to have grounds for divorce, but the law changed relatively recently so that Illinois is now a “no fault” divorce state. What does this mean?

In order to file a petition for the dissolution of marriage, the party seeking the divorce must state that there are “irreconcilable differences” that “have caused the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.” When a couple lives separate and apart for at least six months, the court presumes that the requirement of irreconcilable differences has been met.

Property Division in an Evanston Divorce

When you file for divorce in Evanston, all marital property will be divided according to a theory of equitable distribution. As such, the property could be divided equally between the parties, but it often is not. Rather, the marital property is divided in a manner that is considered fair or equitable to both spouses. An Evanston divorce lawyer can help with complex property division and other questions about marital and non-marital property.

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Child Support

Whether you are getting divorced or simply are separating from a partner with whom you have children, the court will allocate parental responsibilities and will make a determination about child support. A family law attorney in Evanston can help with your case.

Contact an Evanston Family Lawyer Today

Do you have questions about a family law issue? An experienced family lawyer in Evanston can speak with you today about your case. Contact the Law Offices of George M. Sanders P.C. for more information.