We Know Divorce Is Hard. Here’s How We Help.
Divorce can be a complex legal matter, affecting all areas of a person’s life, including their finances, their career, and their relationships with children and other family members. For those who are considering ending their marriage or who have already separated from their spouse, it is essential to work with a family law attorney.
At Laraia & Whitty, P.C., we understand the complex legal, financial, personal, and emotional issues that must be resolved during divorce, and we work to help individuals and families address their concerns. We are dedicated advocates for our clients’ rights, and we will fight to protect your interests throughout the divorce process.
Legal Issues During Divorce
When dissolving a marriage, the processes that spouses must follow can be complicated, since nearly every aspect of their lives have likely become closely connected. During and after the divorce process, the following issues may need to be addressed:
- Allocation of parental responsibility (child custody) – Divorcing parents must determine how to share or divide decision-making responsibility for their children, addressing the areas of education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities.
- Parenting time (visitation) – If a divorcing couple has children, their divorce decree must include a parenting plan that details how children will divide time between parents on a day-to-day basis, as well as on holidays, vacations, birthdays, or other special occasions.
- Child support – The parent with the majority of the parenting time will typically receive financial support from the other parent that is intended to meet children’s ongoing needs. Determining the correct amount of child support according to the guidelines provided in Illinois law can be a complex matter, requiring detailed analysis of both parents’ incomes and financial resources.
- Spousal maintenance (alimony) – One spouse may be required to pay financial support that will allow the other spouse to maintain their standard of living or achieve financial self-sufficiency. An attorney can help argue the case for or against spousal support and ensure that the amount and duration of support are calculated correctly according to Illinois law.
- Property division – Marital assets and debts must be equitably divided between spouses. The process of dividing these assets can be complex, requiring spouses to determine what is considered marital or separate property, decide how to divide complex assets such as real estate or retirement accounts, and address ownership of family-owned businesses.
- Post-divorce modifications and enforcement – People’s circumstances are likely to change in the years following divorce, and either ex-spouse may file a petition to modify the divorce decree in matters such as parental responsibility, parenting time, child support, or spousal maintenance. In addition, an ex-spouse may need legal help enforcing the terms of a divorce decree or judgment.
Contact A Wheaton Divorce Lawyer
Whether you are considering ending your marriage or have already started down the path to divorce, you need an exceptional legal advocate on your side who will fight to protect your rights and your valuable interests. The skilled family law attorneys at Laraia & Whitty, P.C. can address your concerns about divorce, work with you to help resolve your outstanding legal issues, and aggressively fight for you in court, if necessary. Contact us at 630-228-9984 to schedule a free consultation. From our office in Wheaton, we provide legal help to clients in Warrenville, Winfield, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, and throughout DuPage County, Will County, Cook County, Kendall County and Kane County.