Warrenville Divorce Lawyer

A divorce can transform your life and that of your loved ones. Even without complications, it’s an emotionally fraught process. That’s only made worse by the added stress of having to allocate assets, manage custody issues, and deal with other challenges. It’s important that you make sure your rights are protected, that you don’t end up paying more than your share of spousal and child support, and that you receive the amount you deserve in return. To achieve those crucial goals, you need to have Warrenville divorce lawyers helping you from the start of the divorce proceedings.

At Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., our team of divorce attorneys provides the guidance you need through this emotionally charged time. We have decades of experience helping couples who have decided to go their separate ways. We know how important aggressive representation is in divorce proceedings, and that’s precisely what we offer.

Contact our Warrenville divorce lawyers by calling us at 630-305-0222.

Why Choose Us?

Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., is a law firm that provides legal representation for people in need of family law assistance. We know divorces and custody issues can cause rifts among family members and impact you both emotionally and financially. With divorce lawyers by your side, you have the chance to achieve the best possible arrangements. Our compassionate divorce lawyers can help you find the best option for handling these proceedings, including offering alternative dispute resolution.

Because we understand that each client is an individual, we offer personalized and tailored representation. With our team assisting you, you can avoid the kind of contentious divorce that can negatively impact your family.

Illinois Divorce Laws: Requirements You Must Meet

Illinois requires that you live separately from your spouse for six months before being eligible to get a divorce. You or your partner must have resided in the state for at least 90 days prior to filing. Alternatively, you or your spouse must have been stationed in Illinois as part of the armed forces for 90 days before filing. In the past, Illinois made citizens prove grounds for divorce. Now, though, the state solely recognizes no-fault divorces, which only require you to claim irreconcilable differences.

Understanding Why Warrenville Divorce Attorneys Are Essential

Reasons You Need Representation During a Divorce

There’s a common misconception that leads people to think that not having a contentious relationship and wanting an amicable divorce means you don’t need a divorce lawyer. On the contrary, even in uncontested divorces, you should hire a divorce attorney.

Knowledge of Divorce Law

The most obvious reason why you should hire an Illinois divorce lawyer is that we know divorce law. Although the process can look simple, there are many details you may not know about that could hurt your case. We can guide you through the state’s requirements, including proving irreconcilable differences and making certain that you’ve been separated for at least six months. We also have experience with custody issues, so hiring lawyers who can handle all aspects of a divorce ensures that you receive comprehensive representation. We’ll provide steady guidance throughout all aspects of the divorce while ensuring you know and understand all your options.

Financial Protection

Divorce is primarily viewed as an interpersonal issue that affects your emotions and home life. In reality, however, it is actually a serious financial process that requires careful guidance. Illinois has equitable distribution of marital property laws in place, which means that the court will try to agree to a fair distribution of property instead of an equal one. You will have to show that you contributed to the marital property and also demonstrate your current income status.

You should never attempt to do this on your own because you can end up not receiving a fair deal. Our Illinois divorce attorneys will gather information that can show exactly what you should receive in your divorce.

Negotiation and Mediation Skills

Trying to find a compromise with the other person can be tough to do on your own because the whole process is very personal. You can end up getting into arguments that only make matters worse. Our lawyers have negotiation and mediation skills that we’ve honed over decades. With us, you have a better chance of getting a fair deal in the divorce in terms of property and custody. If our Warrenville family lawyers think that you would be better served by mediation, we can also recommend this option and work with the other side to ensure they participate.

Protecting Custody Rights

Divorces are always more complicated if there are children involved. Even if the divorce is uncontested and generally amicable, emotions can still run high when it comes to custody issues. You don’t want to run the risk of not getting a fair amount of time with your children. For that reason, it’s essential for you to contact an attorney. We can fight for your rights so that neither you nor your kids suffer.

Handling Spousal Support Concerns

Another important aspect of filing for divorce is understanding whether you’ll have to pay for support or ask for it. If you need spousal support, we can help you apply for temporary maintenance and child support while the proceedings continue. The judge will decide how much you receive based on allocated parenting time, pay stubs, tax returns, and other factors. We can then begin the long-term maintenance order process, which requires special hearings. Whether you are the spouse asking for maintenance or the one who will have to pay it, it’s vital that you come to these hearings with a lawyer by your side.

Divorce FAQs

Getting a divorce can be stressful, and you may be unsure of what to expect. Our team of Warrenville family attorneys is here to help you learn a bit more about the divorce process by sharing answers to some common questions.

What are the basic steps I need to follow to file for divorce in Illinois?

One of the first things you need to do is ensure that you meet all requirements. You must be separated for at least six months before you can file, and you or your spouse must have lived in Illinois for at least 90 days prior to filing for divorce. You must also be able to claim irreconcilable differences. The next steps are to file and serve your spouse with the divorce papers. There are very specific guidelines you must follow when doing all of this, and having an attorney can make it easier.

If your spouse contests the divorce, you will have to participate in a series of hearings to resolve their issues. If they agree with the papers you sent them, they have to sign them and send them back to you. This allows for an uncontested divorce.

What factors will a judge consider when deciding on maintenance?

A judge considers many factors when making decisions on maintenance, including the income and property of each spouse, the needs of each party, the standard of living that each had while married, tax issues that may arise from dividing property, and any other factors that the judge feels are relevant.

How much will an Illinois divorce cost?

The exact cost will depend on whether the divorce is uncontested or contested. Contested divorces can be more expensive because you’ll have to pay for lawyer fees, court fees, depositions, and the cost of document preparation. Because each case is unique, it’s difficult to offer a specific number. We can give you a better idea of what to expect when you come to speak with our team.

How are assets divided in an Illinois divorce?

Illinois has equitable distribution of marital property laws. The court will determine how to fairly distribute marital property. To do this, a judge will look at each person’s individual circumstances.

What happens if I can’t find my spouse to serve them with divorce papers?

If you can’t find your spouse by standard means, you can serve them via publication. That includes publishing a notice of your intent in local newspapers. This is a last-ditch effort, however, and you will need to have court approval to do so. It is in your best interests to do everything possible to locate your spouse so that you can get rulings on custody, maintenance, and all other issues involved in the divorce proceedings.

Our team of lawyers can answer any questions you have when you come to your consultation.

Contact Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., for Trusted Family Lawyers

Making Divorce Proceedings a Bit Simpler

Going through a divorce is never going to be easy, but it can be a bit more straightforward if you have trusted Illinois family attorneys by your side. At Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., we have helped families throughout the state come to divorce agreements that benefit everyone. We’re ready to help you take this next step in your life, too.

Contact Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., by calling us at 630-305-0222