Divorce Lawyers Joliet

Even the most straightforward divorces have their complications. Whether you are considering a divorce or are already facing a divorce, it’s important to recognize that the outcome of your case will have lasting consequences for you and your children. An experienced Joliet divorce lawyer will help ensure that your rights are well protected throughout the divorce process and that your divorce priorities are adequately addressed. 

The Major Components of Your Divorce

Every divorce has several components that include:

• Child custody arrangements (for couples with children)
• The division of marital property
• Spousal maintenance (alimony)

The resolution of each element that pertains to your divorce is likely critical to your post-divorce future and is far too important to not work closely with a dedicated divorce attorney. 

Your Child Custody Arrangement

Often, child custody arrangements are your primary concern, and if you and your divorcing spouse can come to an agreement regarding these arrangements, it is in your best interest to do so. Your respective attorneys can work to help you find common ground, and mediation can also help. If your case does proceed to court, the judge will make your child custody decisions for you based on what he or she considers to be in the best interests of your children. The court considers many factors, including whether a parent is currently the primary caregiver or whether one parent has a history of abuse.

The Division of Your Marital Property

Illinois is an equitable property state. This means that the property you acquired during your marriage will be divided in a way that the court deems fair, rather than being divided equally. The court takes a variety of variables into consideration in effecting this division, including:

• The length of the marriage
• Each spouse’s contribution to the marital assets 
• Each spouse’s earning potential and current earning power
• Each spouse’s mental and physical health and level of education
• The child custody arrangements
• The value of each spouse’s personal assets
• Any obligations that either spouse has from a previous marriage 
• Any prenuptial contracts 

Determining Spousal Support

Spousal support is one of the most common issues in a divorce that goes in front of the court. The court will need to determine whether support is in order, as well as how much and for how long. In so doing, Illinois considers several important factors that include:

• The length of the marriage and the standard of living obtained 
• The financial needs and resources of both spouses
• The overall mental and physical health of both spouses
• Each spouse’s current and potential earning capacity
• The individual marital contributions (including caring for the household) made by each spouse 

If You’re Facing a Divorce, Consult with an Experienced Joliet Divorce Lawyer Today

Every divorce comes with its own set of complications, and the attendant consequences of every divorce can reverberate far into the future. The dedicated divorce lawyers at Sabuco Beck in Joliet have the experience, compassion, and commitment to skillfully advocate for divorce terms that work for you. We’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us today.