Most people who marry likely do not approach it with the prospect of getting divorced.
In the beginning, it can be easy to idealize and romanticize the marriage commitment. But soon after the ceremony and the honeymoon phase, the real work begins.
Even the best marriages require effort and compromise. When we also confront real-life factors such as job stress, health problems, financial issues, addiction, infidelity, raising children or the loss of open communication, relational chasms may develop.
Despite the best intentions, some marriages can end. In that event, what spouses need is a family law attorney who can help guide them through their major life change with wisdom and knowledge toward a fair and reasonable outcome.
Navarro Family Law provides sound legal guidance for Shorewood (IL) divorce cases. If you live in or near Shorewood and are preparing for a divorce, attorney Michael Navarro takes a client-focused approach with a specialized focus on the facets and nuances of Illinois family law.
Shorewood (IL) Divorce Rate
According to available data, Will County has a divorce rate of approximately 1.5 divorces per 1,000 residents. This places the county and Shorewood near the statewide average of 1.3 divorces per 1,000 Illinois constituents.
By comparison, U.S. national rates average between 2.3 and 2.5 divorces per 1,000 people, making the dissolution of marriage in Illinois and Shorewood among the country’s lowest.
In spite of Shorewood’s lower average, any divorce can be potentially demanding and stressful. Within a dissolution of marriage, Navarro Family Law leads spouses through the legal process with focus, insight and equity.
Divorce Law: Illinois (Shorewood)
At the outset, filing for a divorce might seem overwhelming. Some individuals may not know what to expect or where to begin.
Thorough knowledge of Illinois family law is pivotal in a divorce case. The divorce lawyer at Navarro Family Law can support you by informing you about the proper legal guidelines and steps.
If you are getting divorced in Shorewood, the following are important things to know.
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you do not have to prove wrongdoing to file for a dissolution of marriage. The common ground for a divorce can be irreconcilable differences that cause a permanent fracture of the relationship.
Illinois also recognizes legal separation if you and your spouse wish to live apart without divorcing.
In Illinois, a divorce may be contested or uncontested.
A contested divorce will involve disagreements about central issues that require court intervention to resolve.
In an uncontested divorce, both parties will agree on all major issues, such as property division and child custody and support.
A dissolution of marriage in Shorewood must be filed in the Will County Circuit Court. At least one spouse also must have been an Illinois resident for at least 90 days before filing.
Filing for divorce in Will County will include:
submitting a petition for dissolution of marriage. This is the formal request to end the marriage.
serving the petition. You will legally notify your spouse about the divorce proceedings.
supplying financial disclosure. Both parties will provide financial information to assist in the division of assets and support legal determinations.
attending hearings. Both parties will appear in court as scheduled by the court for the case to be heard.
receiving final judgment. The court will deliver a final judgment of dissolution, legally ending the marriage.
In some cases, the divorcing parties may wish for alternative resolution and settle any disputes without a lengthy court battle.
Divorce Shorewood (IL): Common Case Areas
Depending on the circumstances of the divorce, a dissolution of marriage can often involve aspects such as the following.
Property Division
Marital property includes assets and debts acquired by the spouses during the marriage. Illinois uses equitable distribution, which means that marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. Separate property (owned before marriage or acquired by gift/inheritance) is often awarded to the original owner.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
Spousal support may be awarded based on variables such as length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and needs, and contributions to the marriage (e.g. being a homemaker). Spousal support can be temporary or long-term.
Navarro Family Law advises clients about their options, rights and responsibilities in spousal-support (alimony) cases under state law. In seeking a fair resolution, the firm helps clients understand the adjudicated alimony process, including how payments are calculated.
Child Custody & Support
Illinois courts can award either sole custody or joint custody (shared decision-making). Custody decisions are made based on the children’s best interests.
Navarro Family Law helps establish operative, clear decision-making and parenting time under Illinois child-custody law.
Child support in a Shorewood divorce case is calculated using income-shares guidelines that consider both parents’ incomes as well as how much time each parent spends with the children.
Navarro Family Law provides strong legal representation and thorough knowledge of state child-support law and calculations. Divorce attorney Michael Navarro further ensures that clients understand child-support procedures such as confirming paternity.
Divorce Shorewood (IL): Parenting Time (Visitation)
Visitation (parenting time) is the court-ordered schedule that determines when each parent will spend time with the children. It is one of the most common areas of dispute in a divorce case.
Typically, the court will establish a visitation schedule listing both parents’ regular and holiday time with the children. Considered factors often include, but are not limited to, both parents’ work schedules, the children’s school schedules and the children’s ages.
The parent with whom the children primarily live (i.e. the parent with the most parenting time) will typically be awarded child support paid by the other parent.
In some instances, the parents might disagree about who should have the majority of parenting time. Should this arise, the court may review other factors, such as the parents’ involvement with the children in the two years before the divorce filing.
The court will likewise consider various elements when determining which days the children will spend with each parent. If the parties cannot agree, the court can resolve the dispute in different ways.
Navarro Family Law is a client advocate for establishing court-ordered parenting time that supports the children’s best interests. The firm provides legal counsel in pretrial, hearing or trial, and final-judgment procedures as well as in parenting-time requests and dispute resolution.
Divorce Lawyer Near Me Shorewood (IL): Contact Us
As a divorce attorney for Shorewood, Michael Navarro recognizes how proceedings can affect both the spouses/parents and the children. Navarro Family Law educates clients on their rights and responsibilities under family law. Michael also advises about behavior in and out of court to help support a favorable outcome. If you would like to further discuss divorce law in Shorewood, or you would like to inquire about case representation, call or text (815) 207-9570 today.