Divorce Lawyer Orland Park

Divorce is one of those events that has the capacity to rock your world in ways you may not have thought possible (both emotionally and financially). On top of this fact, divorce is a complicated legal matter that will directly affect your post-divorce financial rights and parental rights, which makes working with an experienced divorce lawyer in Orland Park key. 

Divorce Terms

Although your divorce won’t be exactly like anyone else’s, the terms you’ll need to address are the same as everyone else’s, including (as applicable):

• Parental responsibilities and parenting time
• Child support
• Alimony (called spousal maintenance in Illinois)
• The division of marital property

Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time

What used to be called legal and physical custody is now called parental responsibilities and parenting time (respectively) in Illinois. Parental responsibilities relate to how you will make big-picture post-divorce decisions on your children’s behalf, including decisions about:

• Your children’s schooling
• Your children’s health care
• Your children’s extracurriculars
• Your children’s religious education

You and your ex can share this responsibility; one of you can take it on yourself, or you can divide the responsibility according to the kinds of decisions being made.

Parenting time, on the other hand, pertains to when your children are with you and when they are with your ex. One of you may become the primary custodial parent (having the majority of overnights with your children) while the other has a visitation schedule, or you may divide your parenting time relatively equally. 

Child Support

Child support is the state’s mechanism for ensuring that you and your ex both support your shared children financially throughout their childhoods. Generally, the parent with the visitation schedule pays child support to the primary custodial parent, but even if you split your time with your children more evenly, the higher earner will usually have a child support order. 

Alimony

Alimony or spousal maintenance has limited applications, but when deemed appropriate, it can play an important financial role. Alimony is intended to allow a spouse with a divorce-related financial setback to obtain greater financial independence through the financial support of his or her ex (who has the financial means to assist). 

The Division of Marital Property

Those assets that you acquire as a married couple are considered marital property in the eyes of the law. In the event of divorce, they must be divided in a manner that is considered equitable (or fair with the situation at hand). While those assets that you bring into the marriage with you and that you can keep separate throughout your marriage will remain separate property, this can be difficult to accomplish and to prove in reality. 

Turn to an Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Orland Park for the Legal Help You Need

The accomplished divorce lawyers at SLG Family Law in Orland Park have the experience you need and the compassion and drive you’re looking for. For more information about how we can help you, please don’t wait to contact us today.