An Experienced Divorce Lawyer For Your Needs
In 2013, around 29,331 divorces and annulments occurred in Illinois. In the same year, 8,313 divorces and annulments occurred in Cook County alone. Moreover, the Heritage Foundation has reported that each year, over 1 million children suffer from the negative effects of a divorce. Divorce in any context is a serious legal matter that should never be approached without the guidance of a legal professional. Here at Robert S. Thomas, Attorney at Law, we know what it takes to protect your best interests in these cases.
Requirements For Divorce In Illinois
The requirements for a divorce, which is also referred to as a dissolution of marriage, under Illinois law are codified in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. In 2016, a revision to this act made Illinois a “no-fault” divorce state. To have grounds to file for a divorce, a spouse must demonstrate only that irreconcilable differences have caused an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, which is usually accomplished by living apart from a spouse for six months or more. This requirement will not hinder your ability to file for divorce, but it does come into play during finalization of the divorce.
Uncontested Vs. Contested Divorce
Uncontested divorces are divorce proceedings where both spouses agree on the terms of the divorce, which usually happen quickly. Even if a lot of marital assets or children are involved, uncontested divorces are generally less expensive and time-consuming than contested divorces, because both parties are working together to reach a resolution.
A contested divorce means that the spouses cannot agree on the terms. Normally, disputes in divorce proceeding arise due to disagreements over division of property, the custody of children, as well as child support and spousal support. A divorce lawyer will not only explain what your rights are during the divorce process but also explore mechanisms used to resolve divorce disputes outside of court.
What Is Mediation Used For In A Divorce?
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution method used in family law in an attempt to bring spouses together to resolve their differences outside of a court proceeding. Mediations have proven to be a successful mechanism used by courts around the country to resolve disputes of all kinds. Being impartial as a third party, we can help make sure that both sides in a dispute remain civil and reasonable during the whole process.
A Compassionate And Experienced Divorce Lawyer
Divorce proceedings can be stressful, but you should never go through any type of divorce proceeding, contested or uncontested, without an attorney. Robert Thomas is an experienced divorce attorney who will explain your rights, guide you through the divorce process and fight to protect your interests in all areas of complex divorce litigation. Give our office a call today at 847-868-3428 to find out how a divorce attorney can help you or email us here.
