who is the best divorce lawyer in illinois

What is the average cost of a divorce lawyer in Illinois?

On average, Illinois divorce lawyers charge between $260 and $330 per hour. Average total costs for Illinois divorce lawyers are $11,000 to $14,000 but typically are significantly lower in cases with no contested issues.

Who is the top lawyer in the state of Illinois?

Thomas A. Demetrio is Ranked #1 Super Lawyer in Illinois in 2019 -- for Third Consecutive Year. Corboy & Demetrio Co-founder Thomas A. Demetrio was ranked the top lawyer in the state by Illinois Super Lawyers for 2019, the attorney rating service announced today.

Do I have to pay for my spouse's divorce lawyer in Illinois?

Divorcing spouses must share the cost of attorney fees - even fees already paid. The Illinois Supreme Court holds that a financially strapped divorcing wife can require her husband's lawyer to turn over already-paid fees to help finance her own legal expenses.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Illinois?

In Illinois, it costs approximately $350 to file for divorce, depending on the county in which you are filing. You can visit your local court website to find the exact amount you will be required to pay.

How do I find an attorney in Illinois?

Need Legal Help? Visit Illinois Lawyer Finder to search our online lawyer directory by practice area and location, or learn how to get a lawyer referral over the phone.

What is an attorney called?

In the United States, the terms lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably. For this reason, people in and out of the legal field often ask, “is an attorney and a lawyer the same thing?”. In colloquial speech, the specific requirements necessary to be considered a lawyer vs attorney aren't always considered.

What if I can't afford a divorce lawyer in Illinois?

Free legal help? Free legal help is also called civil legal aid. Legal aid lawyers provide advice and represent people who cannot afford a lawyer .

Who pays attorney fees in divorce?

When a divorcing couple's financial situation is not completely one-sided, courts will sometimes order the spouse with a larger income to pay a percentage of the other party's attorney's fees in proportion to each spouse's income.

Does the petitioner pay for a divorce?

The spouse who applies for the divorce is known as the Petitioner and the other person is the Respondent. As they are the person applying for the divorce, the Petitioner will from the outset be responsible for the cost of the divorce. So, on average the Petitioner's costs will be higher than the Respondent's.

What is the wife entitled to in a divorce in Illinois?

Divorce laws in Illinois allow either party to receive alimony payments (or spousal support/maintenance payments). The court determines the amount of alimony as well as the duration based on numerous factors. Fault and marital misconduct are not among them.

What is the cheapest way to get divorce in Illinois?

An uncontested divorce in Illinois is relatively cheap because it is agreed – meaning there is no fighting in court. Below is a basic explanation of the process: Meeting with a divorce lawyer: As your divorce lawyer, I will interview you and determine the relevant information. Meeting in person is often not necessary.

How long does the average divorce take in Illinois?

In Illinois, there is no mandatory waiting period for an uncontested divorce as long as you meet the residency requirements. A contested divorce usually has a waiting period of six months. Overall, finalizing a divorce in Illinois can take anywhere between 2 months and a year.

What does a divorce lawyer do?

A divorce lawyer helps you if you no longer want to be married. Whether you want a legal separation or the marriage ended, divorce lawyers assist you to arrange financial and family matters , typically in a negotiation with your spouse's lawyer.

What is Avvo rating?

The Avvo Rating is our effort to evaluate a lawyer’s background based on information they have included on their profile, in addition to information we collect from public sources like state bar associations and lawyer websites.

Where is Women's Divorce and Family Law Group located?

Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group, LLP is an agency of family lawyers in Chicago, with three locations in downtown Chicago, Lake Forest, and Lisle, serving the surrounding areas. The agency’s areas of practice include divorce, visitation, pre-divorce planning, family business issues, and more. Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group focuses on protecting the legal rights of women and mothers facing divorce.

Who is the joint custody advocate?

Joint Custody Advocates is Robert B. Buchanan's team of family lawyers in Chicago, which focuses on fathers' custodial rights in child custody disputes. He and his legal team provide representation for fathers going through divorce proceedings to retain joint custody of children through negotiation and settlement. Buchanan assists with cases involving domestic violence, kidnapping, parental alienation, and marginalization, going to court when necessary to ensure fathers retain relationships with their children.

Where is Erlich Law Office located?

Erlich Law Office LLC is located in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, and serves clients throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. For more than a decade, it's been providing legal counsel to individuals in all matters of family law, including divorce. The firm holds memberships in several prestigious organizations, including the DuPage County Bar Association and the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers. Services are available in English or Spanish, and evening and weekend appointments are available.

Blacha Law Office, LLC

We are OPEN & accepting new clients. 20+ years helping clients w/ divorce & family law needs. Free in-person & virtual consults.

Fay, Farrow & Associates P.C

Divorce Is Difficult. We help you Move on. We have a strong record of results. Experienced Attorneys. FREE Consultation

Azita Mojarad

At the Chicago-based Law Offices of Azita M. Mojarad, P.C., we offer experienced, aggressive and compassionate representation.

MLG Law Group

Divorce is hard. Work with our premier law firm, focused on family law for over 30 years. Conveniently located.

Davi Law Group, LLC

Your Family law and Divorce needs are important. Click here or call today for help.

Anderson & Associates, P.C

Handling Divorce matters for more than 35 years. Convenient offices in Schaumburg, Wheaton, Orland Park and Chicago.

Dwayne Douglas

Integrity. Honesty. Resolve. Representing individuals and families. Call today for your free consultation.

What type of cases does a litigator handle?

As an experienced litigator with over 20 years of experience, I have extensive experience handling the following types of cases: divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, alimony (maintenance), property... Read More »

Is divorce an unpleasant experience?

More often than not Divorce is an unpleasant experience. Oftentimes, the proceedings can turn unpleasant. During these times you are fighting for yours and your children's financial life and future and you need someone who has fighting experience on your side.

How to get divorce in Illinois?

The divorce process in Illinois begins with the filing of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This legal form notifies the courts that you wish to divorce your spouse. After obtaining a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, you should fill out the form completely.

How to serve divorce papers?

Service of Process. You may provide legal notice to your spouse in the following ways: Use the local sheriff of your spouse’s jurisdiction to serve the divorce papers. A fee may be required. Hire a private process server to deliver the papers. The most popular method of service is to mail the divorce papers via mail.

What can a mediator do before divorce?

Prior to a divorce filing, a mediator can also provide legal advice to help you and your spouse produce a settlement agreement. This prevents the need to hire expensive attorneys and enter protracted negotiations. The court may recommend a mediator, or you can research available mediators in your area.

What happens when you file for divorce?

When you file for divorce, you become the plaintiff in this legal procedure, and your spouse becomes the defendant. You are legally obligated to notify the defendant that the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed.

What happens if my spouse disagrees with my divorce?

If your spouse, however, disagrees with points in the Petition for Dissolution of the Marriage or files a Counter Petition, you have a contested divorce. You should strongly consider hiring an attorney to manage your case if your divorce is contested.

What is the principle of equitable distribution in Illinois?

Like many other states, Illinois distributes property according to the principle of equitable distribution. This principle favors a fair—if not always, equal—distribution of property. The judge may consider some or all of these factors in deciding which spouse receives a property as well as responsibility for debts.

Is contested divorce high cost?

Contested Divorce (High Cost) A contested divorce will require a number of hearings before a judge. Both Fault and No-Fault divorces can be contested. It is important to obtain a qualified divorce lawyer to represent you in a contested divorce.

How long does it take to file for divorce in Illinois?

When a petitioner files for divorce in Illinois, they must make sure that the other spouse is served with the paperwork. After the spouse has been served, they have a limited amount of time of 30 days to respond to the action. If they don’t comply within the allotted timeframe, then a judge may enter a default judgment after a default hearing has been conducted.

How is child support based in Illinois?

Child support in Illinois is based on statutes and the amount of support is based on a percentage of net income by one or both parents. The amount of the percentage is based on the number of children who will be receiving support.

What is considered non-marital property in Illinois?

There are several instances where property can be considered non-marital in Illinois: Property acquired before the marriage, including debts which are considered “negative assets” by the courts.

What is the Illinois custody and visitation law?

Just as it is virtually all other states, custody and visitation issues are guided by Illinois statutes and the principle that all decisions will be made with the best interests of the child in mind. This helps form the basis for whether or not a child will be cared for in a joint custody or sole custody arrangement.

Is Illinois a no fault state?

It means that the courts will divide property based on a number of factors. Since Illinois is strictly a no-fault state, any marital misconduct is no longer considered a factor when the courts approve a final division. In addition, non-marital property is awarded only to the spouse who owns it.

Is Illinois a 50-50 divorce state?

Because Illinois is an equitable distribution state, courts will attempt to distribute assets in a divorce in a fair and equitable way, but not necessarily with a 50-50 split. There are several factors governing the division of assets that can impact the final outcome in many possible ways.

Is Illinois a 50-50 split?

Illinois is an equitable division state as such, courts will divide property on what they consider to be fair. But equitable does not mean a 50-50 split. It means that the courts will divide property based on a number of factors.