River Forest, Illinois Divorce Lawyer

Family Law Attorneys for Property Division, Spousal Support, and Parenting Time in River Forest

Resolving family-related legal issues can often be a complex process. Spouses who wish to get a divorce or legal separation, parents who need to address child-related issues, or people who need to resolve other family law concerns will want to be represented by a knowledgeable attorney. At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we provide representation in River Forest family law cases, and we will make sure you understand your rights while advocating for your interests throughout the legal process.

Divorce Cases in River Forest, IL

When you choose to legally dissolve your marriage, you will need to determine how to handle multiple legal and financial issues, including:

• Child custody and visitation - If you and your ex-spouse have children together, your divorce decree will include a parenting plan that addresses the allocation of decision-making responsibilities for your children, and it will include a parenting time schedule. The plan will also designate the religion of your children, such as Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Islamic, or the like. During or after your divorce, a planned relocation by either parent may require a modification to the parenting plan.
• Asset division - All marital property that you and your spouse acquired during your marriage will need to be divided between you, and Illinois law states that this division should be "fair and equitable." You may need to decide how to handle assets such as real estate, retirement accounts, or a family business, and you should be aware of the tax issues that may result from the division of property. There is also a category of assets called nonmarital, such as inheritances or gifts. Nonmarital property should be assigned solely to the recipient of the property and not divided between the parties.
• Spousal maintenance/alimony - A spouse who earns a lower income or who made sacrifices to their own career to support their partner and family and care for the home may be awarded financial support. The amount of maintenance payments will be based on both spouses' incomes, and the duration spousal support will be paid will be based on the length of the marriage.
• High net worth divorce - The average income earned by those who live in River Forest is higher than the median income in the rest of Illinois and throughout the U.S. Divorcing spouses with high incomes or valuable assets may need to address some complex financial issues, especially if they are business owners, corporate executives, or public figures. In addition to dividing high-value property and determining spousal support obligations, spouses may need to take steps to protect family wealth or determine how to divide estates or trusts.
• Grey divorce - If you are over 50 years old or retired, you may face a complex divorce process due to a lengthy marriage, and you will want to make sure you will have the financial security to provide for your ongoing health and well-being. You will want to hire attorneys that understand retirement benefits and the use of QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders) to divide retirement assets incident to the divorce without tax penalty(s) to either party.

Family Law Issues

Other legal concerns that families in River Forest may need to address include:

• Adoption - You may wish to adopt a child through a private or international adoption agency or after serving as a foster parent through DCFS. If you are a step-parent, you may choose to legally adopt your step-child. We can help you complete the adoption process successfully. We frequently assist in step-parent adoptions and other adoptions.
• Paternity - A father who is not married to his child's mother will not be considered a legal parent until paternity is established. We can assist in establishing parentage and addressing child custody, parenting time, and child support. In some cases, restrictions may need to be placed on a unfit parent.
• Domestic violence/abuse - We can help victims obtain an order of protection against an abusive family member, or we can help defend against a restraining order that has been issued because of false claims of abuse.
• Prenuptial/postnuptial agreements - If you want to protect your rights either before or after you get married, we can help you create a prenup or postnup (prenuptial agreements are also known as premarital agreements) that will allow you to make decisions about how property and financial issues will be addressed in a potential divorce.
• Same-sex partners - LGBTQ couples who are getting married or divorced may need to take additional steps to protect their rights. We work with same-sex couples to address issues such as parental rights, child support, spousal maintenance, and property division.

Contact a River Forest Divorce Attorney

If you are planning to get divorced or need to address other family law concerns, the attorneys of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC can provide the legal representation you need. To set up a consultation, contact us today by calling 312-605-4041.