If you are considering divorce, the process can be complex and emotionally taxing. A good Divorce Lawyer in Chicago will guide you through the process and protect your rights. There are many issues that can be resolved in a divorce including property division, child custody, visitation, spousal support, and more. Divorce laws vary from state to state, so make sure that you hire an experienced attorney who is familiar with Illinois law. When searching for an attorney, you should consider the experience and track record of the attorney, as well as client testimonials and reviews.
Davis & Associates, is a divorce and family law firm that handles cases throughout Cook County, Illinois and its surrounding counties. The firm’s team of attorneys has a wide range of legal experience, including law school classroom teaching, professional lecturing, publishing, negotiation, and courtroom experience. This diverse background allows the lawyers at the firm to provide comprehensive representation for their clients’ needs and concerns.
The firm provides services in areas such as adoption, child custody, domestic violence, and divorce. It also offers consultations to help couples work out a mutual agreement for their separation. The firm helps couples resolve their disputes through mediation or arbitration, and it litigates cases when necessary. The firm serves clients in the greater Chicago area, and it has been in business for more than 50 years.
When selecting a Chicago Divorce Attorney, you should consider the scope of his or her practice and the specific areas of family law that he or she specializes in. In addition, you should check an attorney’s record with the Illinois State Bar. If the attorney has any major violations, this may be a red flag that you should avoid hiring them. However, minor infractions should not exclude an attorney from consideration.
Before you begin your search for a Chicago Divorce Attorney, it is important to prepare yourself financially and emotionally. Make a list of all the assets you own and your debts, as well as any joint financial accounts that you share with your spouse. Then, make copies of all important documents and keep them in a safe place where your spouse cannot access them. The most critical financial papers to have on hand are tax returns, bank statements, investment account information, salaries, and benefit or retirement program information.
During the divorce process, the court will allocate responsibility for all debts and assets that you and your spouse have acquired during the marriage. This is known as “equitable distribution.” The court will take into account the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contribution to the property and the future financial needs of both parties.
During the divorce process, a judge will decide if spousal support (alimony) is appropriate. In the past, judges had broad discretion in determining spousal support awards, but now Illinois has adopted new guidelines for calculating maintenance obligations. These guidelines prioritize both parents’ ability to provide for the children, and they take into account each spouse’s income and the standard of living that would have existed in the marriage if it had remained intact.