Do I Need an Attorney for My Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on May 04, 2021 in Divorce

Ending a marriage is never easy, even when you have decided that it is the best choice for you and your children. No matter the circumstances that brought you to this point, the divorce process is often a painful one and you may find yourself dealing with anger, stress, sadness, and even grief. While you work through the emotional issues of divorce, there are also legal issues that must be dealt with. Having a skilled Naperville divorce attorney looking out for your best interests is crucial during this time.

Choosing Your Divorce Attorney

Once you have made the decision to file for divorce, it is important to discover and understand what all of your legal options are. Some people do consider filing for divorce without an attorney, however, if you and your spouse have children, property, and/or debt, it is best to hire an attorney to handle the divorce for you. 

It is also important to hire an attorney who specializes in divorces and other Illinois family law issues. An attorney who does not regularly handle divorce or child custody cases may not recognize certain common divorce or custody issues that could come up in your case and this could result in a negative ruling against you. Attorneys have areas of specialty just like doctors do. You do not want to go to an attorney who usually only handles personal injury cases or estate plans to handle your divorce.

Another point to consider is whether the divorce attorney you choose specializes in mediation or other collaborative law methods. More and more couples are choosing this type of divorce option over the traditional litigated process.

Meeting with Your Divorce Attorney

Most Illinois family law firms offer free initial consultations. At this meeting, your attorney will ask you for a brief overview of the issues that have resulted in your decision to end your marriage. It may be easier for you to write this information down before your meeting and bring it with you. Keep in mind that although this consultation is free, anything you share with the attorney is strictly confidential, even if you decide not to retain their services.

It will be helpful to your attorney to have as many of the following documents as possible with you at this meeting. This information will help the attorney determine what will be involved in your divorce, as well as an estimate of the time and cost:

• Any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements you and your spouse have signed

• Any separation agreements you and your spouse have signed

• At least three months worth of paystubs

• Tax returns, with attachments, for at least the past year or two

• All bank, retirement, and investment account statements

• Mortgage statements and/or deeds for any property you own

• Statements for all debt, including car loans, credit cards, utility bills, etc.

• A list of questions you have for the attorney

Contact a DuPage County Divorce Lawyer

If you are considering divorcing your spouse or have already made that decision, you want a seasoned Naperville divorce attorney advocating for you and your children. Call Pesce Law Group, P.C. at 630-352-2240 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59