Family Law Attorney Northbrook

Family Law Attorney Northbrook

Illinois family law includes issues pertaining to divorce, parental responsibilities, spousal maintenance, child support, premarital and postnuptial agreements, and more. If you are going through any of these issues, working with an experienced family law attorney serving Northbrook may help you secure a more favorable outcome in your case.

Legal Issues a Northbrook Family Law Attorney Can Address

A family law attorney near Northbrook, like those at Hammer Serna & Quinn, LLC, can handle many different types of family law matters. Examples of the cases we regularly handle include but are not limited to: 

• Divorce
• Spousal maintenance
• Allocation of parental responsibilities (formerly known as child custody and visitation) 
• Child support
• Premarital and postnuptial agreements
• Domestic violence and orders of protection
• Modifications for support or maintenance agreements

Initiating a Divorce in Illinois

Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), the process of filing for divorce begins when one party files a petition for the dissolution of marriage. Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, which means you can only file for divorce on the no-fault grounds of “irreconcilable differences.”

If you plan to seek a divorce or have been served with divorce papers, consulting with a family law attorney serving Northbrook early in the process can help protect your rights and interests.

Property Division Basics

In a divorce, all marital property is divided in a manner that is equitable to both parties. To determine what is fair or equitable, the court takes into account many different factors. Ultimately, what is equitable is based on the specific facts of the marriage. Property that is not divisible is known as separate property or “non-marital property” and may include property acquired before the marriage, after a judgment of separation, or given as an inheritance or gift to only one spouse during the marriage. Property may also be specifically identified as non-marital property in a premarital or postnuptial agreement.

Commingled property has elements of both separate and marital property and can present a number of complications. A family law attorney in Northbrook can speak with you about property division in more detail and can assist with your case. 

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Many family law matters involve children. Illinois courts no longer award legal and physical child custody or visitation, but instead allocate parental responsibilities. Parental responsibilities include both important decision-making responsibilities for the child (previously known as legal custody), as well as caretaking functions (previously known as physical custody and visitation). 

To determine how parental responsibilities should be allocated, courts consider many different factors, such as the parties’ mental and physical health, current relationships with the children, and, in some cases, the child’s wishes. Ultimately, the court allocates parental responsibilities based on what is in the child’s best interests.

Seek Advice from a Family Law Attorney Serving Northbrook

When you need help with a family law matter in Illinois, an experienced Northbrook family law attorney can assist with your case. Contact Hammer Serna & Quinn, LLC, to speak with an advocate today. You do not have to face these complex legal matters alone.