Wheaton, Illinois Divorce Attorneys

Lawyers for Property Division, Child Custody, Alimony, and More in Wheaton Divorce Cases

The end of a couple's marriage will require a family to make a wide variety of changes, including adjustments to living arrangements, finances, schedules, and parenting. Spouses may encounter emotional challenges and complex legal considerations as they proceed through the divorce process. Every divorce has its own unique set of issues, and to ensure that legal, financial, and practical concerns can be addressed correctly, it is important to work with an attorney who has a strong understanding of the applicable laws and the methods that may be used to resolve disputes.

At A. Traub & Associates, our Wheaton divorce lawyers can provide critical guidance throughout each stage of the divorce process. We will advocate for outcomes that will provide for our clients' long-term success. We can address any concerns that our clients may encounter, and whether a case is amicable or contested, we will focus on finding practical, lasting solutions.

Property Division in Illinois

Issues related to the property a couple owns can sometimes be difficult to resolve during a divorce. Marital property will include assets and debts acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name appears on the title or account. All marital property must be considered when dividing assets, including:

• Real Estate: A couple may need to make decisions about who will own and live in their marital home or whether it may be necessary to sell the home.
• Bank Accounts and Investments: Checking, savings, brokerage accounts, stocks, or any other financial holdings may be divided between spouses.
• Personal Property: Vehicles, jewelry, furnishings, valuable collections, and any other items a couple owns may need to be addressed in a property settlement.
• Retirement Accounts: 401(k)s, IRAs, or pensions may be divided between spouses. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) or similar instruments can be used to avoid taxes or penalties when dividing these assets.

Our divorce attorneys can help ensure that our clients understand the property they own and their options for dividing assets. We will work to find solutions that will protect their financial interests.

Spousal Support/Alimony

In some cases, one spouse may request financial support from the other spouse to ensure that they can avoid financial difficulties during or after the divorce process. Spousal maintenance may be appropriate if there is a disparity between the incomes the spouses earn, if one spouse has limited employment experience because they did not work outside the home during the marriage, or if a spouse will be unable to fully support themselves due to disabilities or health issues. Our divorce lawyers can advocate for maintenance arrangements that will help ensure that our clients will have the financial resources they need in the future.

Parenting Time and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Parents will need to address a variety of issues related to child custody, and in most cases, they can work together to put arrangements in place that will allow for co-parenting. When establishing parenting arrangements, courts will take steps to ensure that the decisions made will protect the best interests of children, considering factors such as:

• The children's relationship with each parent
• The ability of the parents to cooperate and make decisions
• The wishes of the child (if appropriate)
• The child's adjustment to their home, school, and community

A parenting plan will be created that will determine how decision-making responsibilities related to medical care, education, religious practices, and extracurricular activities will be allocated between the parents. A parenting time schedule will also be created that will fully detail the days and times when children will be in the care of each parent. Our lawyers can help find solutions that will prioritize the well-being of children while preserving strong parent-child relationships.

Child Support Obligations

Children have a variety of financial needs, and child support will typically be required to address these expenses. The amount that each parent will be required to pay on an ongoing basis will be calculated using both parents' incomes. Courts may also require parents to divide expenses such as health insurance, educational costs, employment-related child care, and extracurricular activities. Our divorce attorneys can help ensure that child support calculations are accurate and that any extraordinary expenses will be addressed.

Unique Issues in High Net Worth Divorce Cases

When a couple owns significant assets, the divorce process may involve multiple types of complex issues. In a high net worth divorce, a couple may encounter concerns related to:

• Business Valuation: Determining the value of a family business or other business interests owned by either spouse may be an important part of the property division process. Our lawyers can work with accountants or other professionals to evaluate business income, assets, and liabilities.
• Real Estate Property: In addition to their primary residence, a couple with a high net worth may also need to address investment properties, vacation homes, or other real estate assets.
• Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation: Our attorneys can help assess the long-term value of retirement accounts, pensions, stock options, and profit-sharing plans, ensuring that our clients know what steps to take to protect their interests and provide for their future needs.

Post-Divorce Modifications

In the years after a divorce is finalized, a family's circumstances may change. Illinois law allows for modifications of certain orders, including:

• Parenting Time and Parental Responsibilities: Changes to a parenting plan may be warranted due to a parent's relocation, changes in the child's needs, or a parent's refusal to comply with the current plan.
• Child Support: Adjustments can be made based on changes in income, employment, or children's expenses.
• Spousal Maintenance: Modifications may be requested if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as job loss, retirement, or remarriage.

Our lawyers can assist with filing or responding to modification petitions. We will work to ensure that any adjustments to court orders will reflect the current realities of our client's situation.

Contact Our Wheaton, IL Divorce Lawyers

Whether you are facing the beginning of a complex divorce or need help enforcing or modifying court orders that have been put in place, A. Traub & Associates is here to guide you through your divorce while advocating for solutions that will meet your needs. To learn how we can help protect your rights during and after your divorce, contact our Wheaton divorce attorneys at 630-426-0196 and schedule a consultation.