Divorce Attorneys Joliet

Divorce is a complicated legal process – the consequences of which can greatly affect you and your children’s futures. As such, it’s important to give the matter the careful legal attention it deserves. Divorce is also, however, a difficult emotional journey that can leave you feeling less than up to the task at hand. Working closely with an experienced divorce attorney in Joliet will help ensure that your child-custody rights and your financial rights are well protected throughout the process and beyond. 

The Fundamentals of Divorce

Every divorce follows its own unique path and is specific to the family involved. There are divorce fundamentals, however, that apply to every divorce (as applicable), including:

• The determination of child custody arrangements
• The division of marital property
• The determination of child support payments
• The determination regarding spousal maintenance (or alimony)

We handle all aspects of each divorce case, whether a case is relatively complex or straightforward.

Your Child Custody Arrangement and Child Support

You and your divorcing spouse are always better off finding a way to reach an agreement regarding child custody arrangements between yourselves, with the direct assistance of your respective divorce attorneys. As your children’s parents, you are likely both motivated by their best interests. By finding terms that you can both sign off on, you keep the decision-making power in your own hands (not the court’s), and you can specify the unique arrangement that works for your unique family. 

The basics of child custody arrangements typically include:

• Both parents share legal custody and make important decisions on behalf of their children together.
• One parent becomes the primary custodial parent with whom the children live the majority of the time, and the other parent has a visitation schedule. Parents might also share close to equal physical custody. 
• The parent with higher income usually pays child support – based on state guidelines – to the other parent.

The Division of Your Marital Property

In an Illinois divorce, your marital property will be divided in a manner that is deemed equitable (rather than being divided equally down the middle). In this context, equitable means fair, given the unique circumstances of your marriage. Your marital property refers to those assets that you acquired together as a married couple – without regard to who made the purchases or whose name is on the titles. The equitable division of marital property can become very complicated very quickly – especially when complex properties, a business, and/or high assets are involved. 

Spousal Maintenance

Spousal maintenance (or alimony) does not happen as a matter of course in divorce actions. Spousal maintenance is only deemed appropriate when one divorcing spouse can demonstrate an impending financial need (post-divorce), and the other spouse has the financial resources to help mitigate the inherent financial discrepancy. 

Consult with an Experienced Divorce Attorney in Joliet Today

If you’re facing divorce, the dedicated divorce attorneys at Sabuco Beck in Joliet are committed to applying their considerable experience, skill, and resources to helping you obtain terms that protect your rights and your finances into your post-divorce future. We’re on your side, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information today.