Chicago Family & Divorce Lawyers

Divorce & Legal Separation

Illinois family court judges will not grant a divorce until they are satisfied that all applicable issues related to property division, alimony/maintenance, child custody and child support have been adequately resolved. We make sure your rights are protected as we work to meet your needs and goals in these areas, whether through negotiation, mediation, collaborative practice, litigation, or appeals. Whether the divorce is uncontested or involves specialized areas such as pet custody, we have the knowledge, skills and experience needed to advise you appropriately and advocate for you effectively. Our Chicago divorce lawyers are here for you post-divorce as well if you have needs regarding modification or enforcement of court orders regarding custody or support.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

We negotiate, draft and review agreements that let couples decide for themselves how they want to approach matters such as the division of property or payment of support in the event of a future divorce. We’ll make sure that what matters most to you is protected while ensuring you’ll be properly taken care of and not taken advantage of if the relationship falls apart. Our skilled litigation team is ready to take on challenges to the enforcement of agreements as well.

Financial Support & Maintenance

Illinois law authorizes courts to order payments on a temporary or permanent basis to help former spouses transition to self-sufficiency or maintain the standard of living that was established in the marriage. We help parties establish or challenge need, ability to pay, and other factors that determine whether alimony should be ordered and if so, how much, for how long, and under what conditions, including when payments should be terminated.

Custody & Custodial Interference

We work to ensure both parents are able to play meaningful roles in their children’s lives, including custodial time and parenting responsibilities, so long as that custody is in the child’s best interests. When one parent is wrongfully interfering with the other’s custodial time or parenting, our attorneys are zealous advocates for parental rights.

High Net Worth Professionals and Individuals

Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC excels in representing professionals, athletes, executives and others in high net worth divorce cases. We engage experts as needed and offer our own wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to business valuations, asset tracing, investments and business interests, and issues specific to business owners and their spouses in a divorce. From asset dissipation to taxation and divorce issues, our attorneys are equipped with the skills to offer sound advice and professional representation.

Domestic Violence & Orders of Protection

Illinois law enables domestic violence victims to move swiftly for an order of protection to protect themselves and their children. Longer-term orders require adversarial hearings that can be challenged by the alleged abuser. Decisions made in an order of protection, and a history of domestic violence, can have major impacts in a divorce proceeding or child custody dispute. Our lawyers are in your corner to make sure your rights and safety are protected if you are experiencing threats of violence or being unfairly accused of abuse.

Same-Sex Marriage & Civil Unions

Same-sex marital rights were recently recognized by the United States Supreme Court, but even more recent changes in the Court’s composition make those rights seem less certain than they did just a couple of years ago. If you are in a same-sex marriage or civil union, or if your relationship is coming to an end, we can advise you and represent you through complicated questions of child custody, property division, alimony/maintenance, and more.

Valuation & Division of Assets

Illinois law requires all marital property in a divorce to be equitably distributed. We start by making sure every asset (and debt) is properly characterized as marital or separate. Next, we move on toward ensuring every piece of property is accurately valued so a fair distribution can be achieved. Our firm is well-versed in the valuation of complicated financial assets and the factors involved in determining when an unequal distribution is more equitable than an equal one.

International Family Law / Hague Convention

Our attorneys have particular expertise in cases involving allegations of international child abduction. If you are relocating to another country with your custodial child or if you are the parent left behind, Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC has the answers to your questions and the experience needed to protect your rights and help you reach your goals.

Other Chicago Family Law Matters

In addition to the above, our firm stands ready to assist with any Illinois family law matter, including:

• Cohabitation Agreements
• Assisted Reproductive Technology
• Annulments

Illinois Divorce Process

A divorce can be amicable, emotional, trouble-free or exhausting. Every couple and every situation is different. But all divorce cases proceed along the same general lines, and certain matters must be settled in every divorce either in or out of court before the judge will grant a dissolution of marriage. Yet no matter what issues, challenges or difficulties might arise in your circumstances, the family law attorneys at Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC are here for you with practical advice, technical assistance, and effective advocacy to protect your rights and help you meet your goals. Learn more below about the process for divorce in Illinois, and if you or your spouse are considering filing for dissolution, contact our experienced Chicago divorce lawyers today.

Guiding You Through the Procedure for Dissolution of Marriage in Chicago

The process for obtaining a divorce in Illinois begins with either spouse (or both spouses jointly) filing a petition for dissolution of marriage in the county court where either spouse resides. To be eligible for divorce in Illinois, at least one of the spouses must have been a resident of the state or had a military presence in the state for at least 90 days before filing the petition.

The petition for dissolution will set out the grounds for divorce and the relief sought by the filing party. All divorces in Illinois are no-fault; the only ground for divorce in Illinois is that irreconcilable differences have caused the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Before granting a divorce, the court must either find that efforts at reconciliation have failed or that future attempts at reconciliation would be impracticable and not in the best interests of the family. The judge will normally be satisfied that this requirement has been met based on the papers filed by the parties, although if the issue is contested, the judge will hold a hearing to decide the matter. However, if the spouses have already been living separate and apart for six months, this creates an irrebuttable presumption of irreconcilable differences, and no hearing will be necessary.

Once the petition has been filed with the court and served on the other spouse, that party should file an answer to the petition contesting any matters in dispute. Without a response, the filing party could get a default judgment in their favor, assuming the court agrees the marriage is irretrievably broken.

The process continues with the parties preparing for an eventual trial on any issues connected to their divorce. This stage involves making financial disclosures, exchanging information, and otherwise gathering evidence, including consulting with experts as needed. The parties can meet any time during this period to negotiate a settlement instead of going to trial. The court might order conciliation or counseling to help the parties settle, or the parties might choose a process like mediation on their own initiative. If they can’t come to an agreement, the judge will decide all outstanding issues after holding an adversarial hearing between the parties.

No divorce will be granted until all of the following matters, if applicable, are dealt with, either as ordered or approved by the court:

• The equitable distribution of marital property. The court will make a fair division of marital property based on factors like each party’s income, health, needs, and contributions to the marriage. Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC provides invaluable assistance in making sure marital property is properly characterized and accurately valued; our experienced divorce lawyers have particular expertise in dealing with high net worth assets, business interests and complicated property arrangements.
• Alimony/maintenance. The court might order temporary or permanent spousal support based on each party’s income and needs, earning capacity, the time needed to become self-supporting, contributions one spouse made toward advancing the other’s career, and other factors. If you are seeking support or being asked to pay, we help ensure your needs are met and that you are treated fairly.
• Child custody. The court can order the parents to share custody or grant sole custody to one parent and visitation to the other, based on the best interest of the child. We can help you work out a parenting plan and timesharing schedule that meets your needs and works for your family, or we’ll represent you in court if you can’t work out a plan with your co-parent.
• Child support. Both parents are responsible for financially supporting their children post-divorce. The courts resort to the Illinois child support guidelines to determine a monthly amount one parent will pay to the other for child support, but the court can deviate from those guidelines when convinced it’s in the children’s best interests. We’ll make sure you and your co-parent are reporting income fully and accurately for a fair calculation and advocate for you if arguing for or against a deviation from the guidelines amount.

For all your family law needs, look no further than Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC. Contact experienced divorce lawyers in Chicago, IL today.

Common Types of Divorce in Chicago

In Chicago, the most common types of divorce include uncontested divorce, contested divorce, no-fault divorce, mediated divorce, collaborative divorce, and simplified divorce. Navigating these divorce processes can be challenging, but a skilled family law firm like Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC can make a significant difference.

Uncontested Divorce: Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC can ensure that all agreements are fair and legally sound, guiding you through the process efficiently while protecting your interests.

Contested Divorce: If disagreements arise, their experienced attorneys can represent you in negotiations or court, working tirelessly to achieve a favorable outcome.

No-Fault Divorce: The firm can assist in filing and managing a no-fault divorce, ensuring all necessary documentation and procedures are handled correctly, minimizing stress and delays.

Mediated Divorce: Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC can provide or recommend mediation services, helping you reach amicable agreements without the need for a court battle.

Collaborative Divorce: Their team is skilled in collaborative law, focusing on cooperation and communication to resolve disputes in a way that benefits both parties.

Simplified Divorce: If you qualify for a simplified divorce, the firm can streamline the process, ensuring all requirements are met quickly and efficiently.

No matter the type of divorce, Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC is dedicated to guiding you through every step, offering personalized legal support to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

Serving All Areas of Chicago

• Lincoln Park
• River North
• Wicker Park
• Lakeview
• West Loop
• Gold Coast
• Logan Square
• Old Town
• Bucktown
• Hyde Park

Contact Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC Today

Our Chicago family law firm helps business owners, professionals and executives and their spouses through all manner of dissolution procedures, including contested divorces, uncontested divorces, high net worth property divisions, or high conflict custody disputes. Our team is skilled in mediation, collaborative divorce, litigation and appeals, and we can help you determine the effect of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement or advise you on the procedure for filing a joint petition for simplified dissolution. We have the expertise to expertly handle whatever your dissolution requires. Call our experienced Chicago divorce lawyers today for a consultation.