Finding an attorney who is a “real person” can be difficult. Many attorneys surround themselves almost exclusively with other attorneys and are accustomed to speaking in ivory tower legalese. You should be able to connect with your attorney on a personal level, and he or she should speak to you in plain language that you can understand. You will be working very closely with this person on issues that are very important to you. It is important that he or she be down-to-earth and someone that you connect with.
The most common complaint that clients have of their attorneys is that the attorney is unreachable, does not communicate with them regularly, or does not promptly return your calls. Your attorney should reach out to you about your case regularly and respond within 24 hours to calls and e-mails. An open line of communication between you and your attorney is essential to building trust.
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Your attorney’s goal should not be to win at all costs. Rather, it should be to achieve a favorable outcome for you as efficiently as possible. It is important that your attorney set realistic expectations at the outset as to the costs you should expect, the concerns that the attorney has about the outcome of your case, and the length of time that you should expect your case to take.
Regardless of the nature of your case, we have an experienced attorney who will focus on your individual needs. Our team of attorneys works closely together, bringing each of their different fields of experience to bear in order to optimize our client care.
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Family law is tough, but you don’t have to go it alone in Des Plaines, IL. Whether it’s a divorce, child custody or modifying an existing order, we’re here to help. Let us guide you forward.
Family law is complicated and emotional. Family law cases, such as divorce and child custody disputes, are often complex and emotionally charged. Family law matters encompass a wide range of issues, including spousal support and modifications to existing orders. Whether you’re getting a divorce, dealing with child custody or modifying an existing order, having a Des Plaines family lawyer can make all the difference in your case. At our firm we take a personal approach to family law disputes, so you and your loved ones get the best result.
Ending a marriage is never easy and often comes with legal and financial implications. In Illinois you don’t have to hire a divorce lawyer to get a divorce but having a family law attorney by your side can make sure your rights and interests are protected throughout the process.
Divorce mediation is a practical and amicable alternative to traditional litigation, offering benefits such as reduced emotional stress, cost-effectiveness, and the promotion of open communication and cooperation between parties.
An uncontested divorce can be a quicker route if both parties agree on the big issues like property division, alimony, and child custody. However, contested divorces can arise when the disagreements become a roadblock and require court intervention. Our Des Plaines family lawyers can help you with either situation, resolve disputes amicably, and make sure you are fully informed of your rights and options, emphasizing the importance of understanding the legal process.
Child custody is often the most emotional and contested part of family law. Illinois courts look at the best interest of the child when making custody and visitation decisions. Working with a family lawyer can help you build a strong case for the custody arrangement that’s best for your family.
Our family lawyers help parents negotiate child custody and visitation schedules so both parents can have a strong relationship with their children and their wellbeing. If you need to modify an existing custody arrangement or child support order, we can help you file a petition with the court for a fair result.
A recent case we handled illustrates the importance of having a family law attorney to represent clients. A father in Des Plaines was fighting for joint custody of his children after a nasty divorce. The mother was seeking full custody which would have limited the father’s involvement in their lives. Instead of escalating the conflict our family lawyers facilitated mediation sessions and focused on the children’s wellbeing.
Through collaborative negotiations, the parents reached a joint custody agreement where both could remain involved in their children’s daily lives. This avoided a long and costly court battle and reduced the emotional toll on the children. The parents were able to co-parent and proved that with the right legal guidance even the toughest disputes can be resolved amicably.
Life changes and sometimes court orders don’t fit your family’s needs. Whether it’s a change in income and child support or modifying a custody arrangement our Des Plaines family lawyers can help you file a petition with the court for the changes you need.
Navigating the complexities of asset division and property distribution is a critical aspect of the divorce process in Illinois. The state adheres to the principle of equitable distribution, meaning that marital assets are divided fairly, though not necessarily equally, between the spouses. This is where having a skilled family law attorney becomes invaluable.
In Illinois, marital property encompasses all assets acquired during the marriage, including real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, and investments. Conversely, non-marital property includes assets owned prior to the marriage, as well as inheritances and gifts. An experienced family law attorney can help you identify which assets fall into each category and develop a strategy for dividing them in a manner that protects your financial interests.
Property distribution can become particularly contentious in cases involving high-value assets such as businesses, real estate, and significant investments. Our family law attorneys are adept at negotiating fair settlements and, if necessary, representing clients in court to ensure their rights and interests are safeguarded throughout the divorce process.
Marital agreements, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, are essential tools for outlining the terms of a marriage and potential divorce. These agreements can cover a range of issues, from asset division to spousal support, providing clarity and protection for both parties.
In Illinois, for a marital agreement to be valid, it must be in writing, signed by both spouses, and deemed fair and reasonable at the time of signing. A knowledgeable family law attorney can assist you in drafting and negotiating these agreements to ensure they meet your needs and protect your interests.
Alimony, or spousal support, is another critical consideration during a divorce. Unlike child support, alimony is not automatically awarded in Illinois but is determined on a case-by-case basis. Our family law attorneys can help you understand whether you are eligible for alimony and work to negotiate a fair settlement.
There are several types of alimony in Illinois:
Navigating the intricacies of marital agreements and alimony can be challenging, but with the guidance of an experienced family law attorney, you can ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the divorce process.
We help families resolve disputes in a way that reduces conflict and is best for your family’s future. Contact our Des Plaines family lawyers today and let us help you through this tough time. Divorce, custody, modifications to an existing order we can help you with it all.
Our lawyers and paralegals have experience with the details of your legal matter, ensuring that family law clients can easily access our comprehensive services. We look at angles that other attorneys with experience in only one area of law might miss.
Some legal issues are quick and need to be resolved fast and cheaply. You want those knocked out fast and with the lowest cost possible. But for more complex cases we take the time to get it right and work hard to get the result you want.
Many of our legal clients have complained that their last firm just didn’t have the resources or knowledge to handle their case. Our attorneys communicate with each other across the firm, get input from several legal professionals without the extra cost.
We have decades of skills and experience in many areas of law. We really want to be a one-stop shop for our community. When you have a legal question, we want to be the first firm you think of because you know you can trust us to have the answer or know the next best solution.
No one wants to be in the dark about what’s happening with their case. Part of our core practice is to update our clients regularly on their cases and explain the legal process along the way.
Dealing with legal issues is stressful. You don’t need more stress from an attorney who is slow to communicate and hasn’t given you a clear plan to resolve your case. Trust comes from knowing your attorney has your back and has your best interests at heart.
We are not a nonprofit legal aid firm. We offer big firm service at a local price. Solutions cost money but putting them off only costs more headaches and money.
We provide detailed driving directions to ensure our family law clients can easily find our office.
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The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.
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Des Plaines, IL 60016
I am personally committed to ensuring that each one of our clients receives the highest level of client service from our team. Our mission is to provide excellent legal work in a cost-effective manner while maintaining open lines of communication between our clients and their attorneys. Many of our clients are going through difficult times in their lives when they reach out to us. They should feel comfortable leaning on the experience and knowledge of our attorneys as their counselors and advocates. We are here to help!
Family mediation is one of several alternative dispute resolution options available to couples in Illinois seeking to resolve issues involving either a divorce or parenting issues.
Other alternatives to litigation include collaborative divorce, cooperative divorce, and arbitration.
Read more about Family Mediation Explained
For unwed mothers, if the father's name is not on the birth certificate, he has no legal relationship to the child and no legal rights to the child. Unwed mothers can refuse the child's father's name be added to the birth certificate, but this has legal ramifications that should not be ignored.
Read more about What Happens if the Father’s Name is Not on the Birth Certificate?