This is an FAQ on affordable and quick divorce in Illinois. As an uncontested divorce lawyer, I handle uncontested divorces in the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, and Will. And there’s one constant – people want an affordable divorce in Illinois.
So I wrote this FAQ on affordable divorce in Illinois. (more…)
You ask: “How is property divided in an Illinois divorce?” If you are interested in an uncontested divorce in Illinois, maybe you wonder about how property is divided in a divorce in Illinois. In an Illinois divorce, the division of property can include dividing bank accounts, retirement accounts, business, real estate, and other assets.
(more…)There is a lot of talk right now about a war on Christmas. Megyn Kelly, the fox news show host, recently caused a big stink by saying that both Santa Claus and Jesus are white. I guess she though that was a really important point to make. What she may not know is that St. Nicholas, the Saint on whom Santa Clause is based, was born in present-day Turkey.
Even if both St. Nicholas and Jesus were white, is some people believe differently, is that really evidence of a war on Christmas?
The whole thing seems like making a mountain out of a molehill.
And it’s that type of thinking that can cause problems in a divorce and can prevent a fast and affordable divorce in Illinois.
Many have been waiting for the day gay marriage is legal in Illinois. But as an Illinois family law attorney, I get many calls from people looking to end a civil union in Illinois.
Please see the below FAQ on civil unions in Illinois. Or, contact me at 312-554-5433. or online. If you are looking for an attorney in Chicago (or elsewhere in Illinois), I may be able to help.
If you formed a civil union in Illinois, you can end it in much the same manner that a marriage would be ended. Essentially, you can file a petition for a dissolution of a civil union.
There are a whole lot of lawyers who have handle the dissolution of a civil union. But I offer flat fees for uncontested dissolution of civil unions. (more…)
I’ve noticed many high-net-worth people think they need a price divorce lawyer for their divorce – even if its uncontested.
Even if you are a high-net worth person, you can get divorced with an affordable uncontested divorce.
The process can be easier than you might think; to understand what I mean, check out my article “Divorce after one visit to court? Yes!”
An expensive lawyer is not always better, even if you have substantial assets, own a business, and have other serious financial concerns. How do I know this? I have review their work.
For instance, I currently have a client that previously hired a very expense and renowned firm for his divorce. I review his marital settlement agreement (MSA) and his joint parenting agreement (JPA). It was terrible. It was hard to understand, contained very ambiguous provisions, and didn’t seem to anticipate obvious contingencies that would occur. Now, years later, he is back in court.
Luxury goods are sometimes priced high simply to create the impression that they are worth more. It’s marketing.
And lawyer’s aren’t immune to using marketing strategy in their pricing.
Do you want to meet a lawyer in fancy office downtown? Would you a front-desk attended to offer you coffee, or tea? If so, I can recommend various firms in Chicago where you will likely be very happy. Some even have original artwork on the walls.
However, given that the work of expensive lawyers is often no better than that of more affordable lawyers, it seems that hiring an expensive lawyer will guarantee you one thing: that you will pay more. Such is particularly true in the case of an uncontested divorce
Don’t get me wrong. There are some excellent, very expensive lawyers in Chicago ans elsewhere. If you can afford to pay an attorney $700 per hour, I can recommend someone to you.
Otherwise, you may wish to get an affordable uncontested divorce. If you divorce involves financial issues such as business of pension valuation, those tasks are normally handled by experts, regardless of the attorney.
Numerous of my uncontested divorce clients have assets well-over a million dollars. Millionaires get uncontested divorces in Chicago, and elsewhere in Illinois. In DuPage County. In Lake County. In Will County. And everywhere else.
Many of my clients are professionals who could choose to hire many other lawyers, but don’t.
Some own businesses, multiple rental properties, and vacation homes.
Unlike many lawyers handling uncontested divorces for a flat fee, I take pride in counseling my clients and approaching matters strategically. When you hire me to handle your uncontested divorce, I will be available to you. Please be wary of attorneys who push you off onto paralegals who know nothing about your case.
Gay marriage is legal in Illinois . . . almost.
Same sex couples have been fighting for the right to marry for decades. An unfortunate result of same-sex marriage will undoubtedly be same-sex divorce.
If you are a same-sex couple and are in need of a divorce lawyer, contact me at 312-554-5433. or online. And check out some of these thoughts on same-sex divorce.
One aspect of divorce that may be hard for those in same-sex marriages is that, at least for a while, there will not be a large community of people divorced after a same-sex marriage.
Since gay people have only recently obtained the right to marry, many are getting married later in life than their heterosexual peers. And that means that they will have accumulated more property prior to getting married.
Non-marital property is not divided upon divorce. Marital property is. When people come to a marriage with greater non-marital property, interesting issues can develop. For instance, after a short-term marriage, a couple may not have acquired much marital property at all. However, one party may have been wealthy prior to the marriage. Such a situation can lead to challenges in the areas of spousal maintenance (alimony) and the division of marital property.
When getting divorced you will have to deal with various other people. For example: judges, mediators, child representatives (lawyer’s appointed to represent children), psychologists (who may be appointed to evaluate a custody situation), and others.
Surely not everyone employed in those positions is straight. I know several judges who are gay, for example. However, the majority of people involved in the process are seemingly straight. Many of them, particularly the older crowd, may have had limited interaction with same-sex couples. Therefore, a lawyer for a person seeking a same-sex divorce should be sensitive to that dynamic and be ready to deal with it.
If you are a same-sex couple and would like a divorce lawyer who is sensitive to your needs, contact me at 312-554-5433. or online. You might want to read my article titled, “Process for Same-Sex Uncontested Divorce in Illinois.” And if you would like a humorous look back at the marriage equality movement, check out the post “Gay Marriage: Could this happen to us?“, from Chicago divorce lawyer Marie Fahnert.
As an uncontested divorce lawyer in Illinois counties of Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, and others, often people call me asking “What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce?” If you want an affordable and fast divorce, it is crucial that you understand the answer to that question.
There are two types of divorce available in most states: contested and uncontested divorce.
In a contested divorce the spouses don’t agree, and instead, litigate. Contested divorce is fairly commonplace, though many contested cases settle without a trial. There are various hot-button issues in contested divorce:
An uncontested divorce is sometimes referred to as an “amicable” or “no-fault” divorce .
In truth, spouses need not be amicable in an uncontested divorce. They can even hate each other. They just need to agree on all the issues involving divorce.
In contrast to a contested divorce that can take years to complete, an uncontested divorce can be very quick. Some of my have taken less than one month.
Most married people who want to get divorced probably would prefer uncontested divorce because of its speed, simplicity, convenience, privacy, and inexpensiveness. The efficiency and cost savings of uncontested divorces are the major advantages highlighted by most divorcing couples.
You might also check out my articles “When is the right time to get divorced?” and “Divorce after one visit to court? Yes!“
If you are in the military and want t a divorce in Illinois, you can contact me to get started with the divorce process. Many people on active duty service face challenges others don’t. And I find they are particularly interested in a fast and affordable. divorce.
As a lawyer who helps members of the military divorce in Illinois, I’ve put together these frequently asked questions (FAQ) on Illinois military divorce. You might also check out some articles I wrote on the Illinois uncontested divorce process.
Non-military may also find some of this information useful. (more…)
If you are interested in an uncontested divorce in Illinois, you know you have to agree on child custody and visitation if you have kids.
One important aspect of a parenting agreement is addressing the “right of first refusal.” As an divorce lawyer in Evanston, Schaumburg, Libertyville and elsewhere in Illinois, I know what agreeing on time with the kids is often the major problem in coming to an agreement. If you are ready to get started with your uncontested divorce, contact me here to get started with your Illinois divorce. (more…)
If you are looking for a quick and affordable uncontested divorce in Champaign County, and want a flat-fee lawyer, I can help you with your case.
Divorce can be expensive, aggravating, and damaging. Or, it can be amicable, affordable, empowering, and quick. As lawyer who represents who can represent clients in a Champaign County uncontested divorce, I know which one you would prefer. And unlike some lawyer’s my clients have complaint to me about, I won’t try to stoke hostilities in order to cause litigation and a giant legal bill.
Cost is often the primary concern in a divorce. With the system I use, there is only one cost, and that’s my flat fee.
There are court costs, but I pay those out of the flat fee. For your information however, in Champaign County there is a fee to file (for you), and a fee to answer (for your spouse); those fees are $215 and $115, respectively. But like I said, I pay all those fees for you. Click here to see the Champaign County Clerk of Court Fee Schedule.
(more…)