Geneva Family Law Attorneys

Lawyers Serving Parents and Families in Geneva, Illinois

Family law issues can affect your relationship with your children, your financial stability, and your plans for the future. Whether you are planning for divorce, working out child support, establishing legal parentage, pursuing adoption, or creating a surrogacy agreement, understanding your rights is important. Illinois has specific laws for each of these matters, and the legal process can be difficult to navigate alone. With more than 20 years of experience, Attorney Angel Traub and the team at A. Traub & Associates help Geneva families resolve legal concerns and protect their interests.

How Does Divorce Work in Illinois?

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. Instead of proving that your spouse did something wrong, you must show that irreconcilable differences have caused the marriage to break down.

During a divorce, you and your spouse must address several important issues, including:

• Dividing marital property and debts
• Determining whether either spouse will receive spousal maintenance
• Establishing child support obligations
• Creating parenting plans and dividing parental responsibilities

If you and your spouse agree on these matters, you may qualify for an uncontested divorce. If you cannot reach an agreement, the court will decide any remaining disputes. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you understand your options and work toward a fair resolution.

Illinois also allows couples to enter civil unions, which provide the same rights as marriage under state law and follow the same legal process as divorce when dissolved.

What Should Parents Know About Child Support in Illinois?

Both parents have a legal duty to financially support their children, even if they are not married or do not live together. Child support helps cover everyday expenses. This can include housing, food, clothing, and other basic needs.

Illinois calculates child support using both parents' net incomes and the amount of parenting time each has. The court may also require parents to share additional expenses. For example, parents may split health insurance, medical bills, childcare, school fees, and extracurricular activities.

Child support usually continues until a child turns 18, or 19 if the child is still in high school. Courts may also order contributions toward college expenses. Our family law attorneys can help you establish a fair child support arrangement. We can also request a modification when your circumstances change.

How Are Child Custody and Parenting Responsibilities Decided in Illinois?

Illinois courts make child custody decisions based on the child's best interests. The court considers each parent's relationship with the child, the child's needs, and each parent's ability to provide a safe, stable home. Illinois law divides custody into two parts: parenting time and decision-making responsibilities.

Parenting time determines when the child stays with each parent. Decision-making responsibilities cover important matters such as education, health care, and religion. Parents can agree on these arrangements, but the court may need to resolve disagreements.

In contested cases, the court may appoint a professional to protect the child's interests. A guardian ad litem will investigate the family's circumstances, while a child representative will advocate for the child's best interests. A parenting coordinator can help parents resolve ongoing disagreements.

Our firm provides legal representation for children. We can serve as a child representative, guardian ad litem, or parenting coordinator to help resolve disputes and protect children's best interests.

What Other Family Law Matters Involving Children Can We Help With?

Family law involves more than child custody and support. We also help families in Geneva and Kane County with other legal matters related to children, including:

• Parentage: Legal parentage establishes who has parental rights and duties. We help unmarried parents establish paternity through a signed agreement or court proceedings. This can affect child support, parenting time, and inheritances.
• Adoption: Adoption makes someone a child's legal parent. We help families complete paperwork, get the required consent, and follow Illinois adoption laws.
• Guardianship: If parents cannot care for their child, another adult can become the child's legal guardian. We help families set up guardianships so children will receive the proper care and support.
• Surrogacy: Illinois has specific laws for surrogacy. We help intended parents and surrogates understand their rights and create legal agreements.
• Egg Donation: Egg donation agreements can cover costs, privacy, and future contact. We help families create agreements that explain everyone's rights and responsibilities.

Whether you want to establish parental rights or grow your family, we can help you understand the legal steps involved.

When Can Mediation Resolve a Family Law Dispute?

Family law mediation allows you and the other party to work with a neutral mediator instead of letting a judge decide. Illinois circuit courts operate mediation programs for parenting disputes, and judges often refer contested parenting issues there. Mediation can save time and give you more control over the outcome of a case.

Contact Our Geneva, IL Family Law Lawyers

Family law matters often involve difficult decisions that can affect your future and the people closest to you. At A. Traub & Associates, we will take the time to understand your concerns, explain your options, and develop a legal strategy that fits your needs. Our commitment to helping families has earned us more than 150 five-star client reviews. Whether you are facing a dispute or planning an important family change, we are here to help. Contact our Geneva, Illinois family law attorneys at 630-426-0196 to schedule a consultation.