Palatine Divorce Attorneys

Trusted Illinois Divorce Lawyers for Child Custody, Property Division, and Alimony in Palatine, IL

Ending your marriage can feel like the end of the world. Separating from your spouse can not only be extremely emotionally taxing, but it may also put immense strain on your financial and physical health and your family life. While this process can be overwhelming, a skilled divorce attorney can alleviate the pressure, assisting with complex legal concerns and ensuring that you will be able to move forward with confidence.

At A. Traub & Associates, our lawyers approach every case with compassion and diligence. Whether you need to defend your rights as a parent or safeguard your assets, we will provide you with strategic advocacy and support through this critical life transition. With more than 150 five-star reviews from satisfied clients, we can help you achieve the results you are looking for in your divorce.

How Does Property Division Work in Illinois?

Concerns related to property and asset division may be among the most common and most difficult issues for couples to work through during a divorce. While it may sometimes be difficult to identify all of the assets you and your ex-spouse co-own, it is important to remember that state law generally dictates that you will have joint ownership over any property that was bought or acquired during your marriage. Regardless of whose name is on a bank account or the title to property, it may need to be addressed during your divorce.

Some common assets that may need to be addressed during a divorce include:

• Personal Property: Furnishings, jewelry, vehicles, and other items of value are usually addressed in property settlements.
• Bank Accounts and Business Investments: Stocks, savings and checking accounts, business interests, and other financial holdings may need to be divided between spouses.
• Retirement Accounts: Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s may be divided using Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) or similar methods to avoid penalties or taxes.
• Real Estate: Decisions regarding who will own a shared home or other property or whether a property will be sold will need to be made during the divorce process.

Child Custody and Child Support

Decisions about child custody will need to be made to ensure that children's ongoing needs will be met and that both parents will be able to maintain positive family relationships. The allocation of parental responsibility can determine how parents will make decisions regarding children's healthcare, education, and other factors. A parenting time schedule will determine when children will live and spend time with each parent.

When making decisions about legal and physical custody, factors that may be considered include:

• The child's adjustment to their community, school, and home
• Each parent's ability to cooperate and make decisions with the other
• The child's relationship with each parent
• Preferences of children, if they are mature enough to express their wishes

Children will have a variety of financial needs, and child support orders will usually be put in place to make sure both parents are contributing to ongoing costs. While child support is calculated based on the combined income of both parents, the amount that each parent may be required to contribute may be adjusted to address expenses such as educational costs, extracurricular activities, health insurance, and more.

Future Modifications to a Divorce Settlement

There are a variety of reasons why a person or a family's circumstances can change in the years after a couple finalizes their divorce. In some cases, modifications of a divorce settlement may be appropriate. A couple may revisit a variety of issues, including:

• Alimony: Spousal maintenance can help ensure that a person will be able to maintain the standard of living that was established during their marriage. The amount or duration of financial support can be adjusted based on changes to the financial circumstances of either party. The remarriage of a person who receives spousal support will result in the automatic termination of maintenance.
• Parenting Time and Parental Responsibilities: A parent can move to a new city, county, or state, or a child's needs may change as they grow, and these issues may require modifications to child custody. Modification requests may also address a parent's failure to comply with a child custody order.
• Child Support: As with spousal maintenance, adjustments to child support may be made based on changes to a child's expenses, a parent's employment, or other circumstances that may affect parents and children.

Meet With Our Palatine, Illinois Divorce Lawyers Today

Whether the end of your relationship is amicable or involves high levels of conflict, the experienced lawyers at A. Traub & Associates can help you navigate the legal process of divorce and protect your rights. To arrange a consultation and discuss your legal options and the steps that will be followed during your case, contact our Palatine, IL divorce attorneys at 630-426-0196.