Strategic Divorce Representation in Bloomington, Illinois
At our Bloomington, Illinois office, we assist clients across McLean County and surrounding areas with divorce, legal separation, and other domestic law matters. Navigating these issues can feel overwhelming, but our attorneys provide clear guidance and dedicated support every step of the way.
Whether you reside in Bloomington or elsewhere in McLean County, Stange Law Firm works to protect your interests and help you move forward with confidence. Our team focuses on solutions that meet your unique needs, from parenting and support matters to property division and post-divorce modifications.
For more local information, you can explore these helpful resources:
- McLean County Family Court Information: Details on family court procedures and operations in McLean County.
- McLean County Government Resources: Access local government services and resources.
- Directions to the McLean County Courthouse: Find easy directions to the courthouse via Google Maps.
Guiding You Through Divorce in Bloomington, IL
Our Bloomington domestic litigation attorneys prepare every case with care, approaching each matter as if it could go to trial while still exploring practical and fair resolutions. We strive to settle disputes efficiently, but when a settlement isn’t possible, we are ready to advocate strongly for our clients. Our team understands the emotional and legal complexities of divorce and works to guide clients through every step of the process.
We provide comprehensive support across a wide range of family law matters. Our services include parenting time and visitation in Bloomington, Illinois, ensuring that parental rights are protected and the best interests of children are prioritized, and Bloomington child support, helping clients establish, enforce, or modify child support obligations. We also assist with adoption in Bloomington, IL, guiding families through the legal process for growing families.
Our attorneys are experienced in handling property and financial matters, including the division of property & debts in McLean County, and can assist with post-divorce modifications to adjust custody, support, or other court orders when circumstances change. For couples seeking a cooperative approach, we provide guidance in collaborative divorce in Bloomington, Illinois, and help clients reach amicable agreements through divorce mediation.
No matter the situation, our Bloomington team is committed to protecting your interests, offering compassionate guidance, and helping you navigate the legal process with clarity and confidence.
From our website, you can explore a variety of resources to help you understand divorce in Illinois. Access informative articles, watch videos and recorded seminars, listen to our podcast, download our mobile app, or use our Illinois support calculators to get quick estimates.
Bloomington Divorce Basics: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Why You Might Consider Divorce in Bloomington
Facing a divorce in Bloomington can be stressful and overwhelming. Illinois law allows couples to end a marriage for no-fault or fault-based reasons. No-fault divorces typically rely on irreconcilable differences or living apart for at least six months. Fault-based grounds may include adultery, abandonment, cruelty, substance abuse, bigamy, felony conviction, impotence, attempted harm, or knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted disease. While no-fault filings are more common, proving fault can sometimes influence property division, spousal maintenance, and parenting arrangements.
If spouses are separated due to irreconcilable differences, the court reviews whether meaningful efforts to save the marriage were made and whether reconciliation is feasible.
Filing Requirements and Jurisdiction in McLean County
To begin a divorce in Bloomington, at least one spouse must have resided in Illinois for 90 days before filing. The case is filed in the Circuit Court of McLean County, where the petitioner or respondent resides. The process officially begins with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and ends with a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage.
Couples who are living apart but not ready to dissolve the marriage may consider legal separation, which provides a court-recognized arrangement addressing finances, property, and parenting without terminating the marriage.
Streamlined Divorce Options in Bloomington
Some divorces in Bloomington may qualify for a simplified or uncontested procedure. Eligibility generally requires: no minor children, limited marital property, waived maintenance claims, residency requirements met, and demonstrated irreconcilable differences. Simplified filings can save time and reduce stress, allowing spouses to resolve their divorce more efficiently.
Spousal Maintenance in Bloomington, IL
Spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, provides financial assistance from one spouse to the other after a divorce. The goal is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a reasonable standard of living.
Illinois guidelines consider the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income, age, health, and contributions to the other’s career. Shorter marriages usually result in shorter support periods, while longer marriages may lead to extended or permanent maintenance. The amount is generally calculated as 30% of the payer’s income minus 20% of the recipient’s income, ensuring the recipient’s income does not exceed 40% of the couple’s combined income.
Spousal support can be modified if circumstances change, such as a significant income change, job loss, or retirement.
Property Division
Illinois follows equitable distribution for dividing marital property. Personal items generally remain with the original owner, while marital assets and debts are divided based on factors like each spouse’s contributions, financial situation, marriage length, and any existing agreements (prenuptial or postnuptial). Courts also consider future earning potential and any custodial responsibilities when allocating property.
Child Custody and Parenting Time
In disputes over child custody, Bloomington courts focus on the best interests of the child. Decisions consider: the child’s relationship with each parent, parental involvement, adjustment to home and school, sibling relationships, mental and physical health, history of abuse or neglect, and distance between parents’ residences. Courts may privately interview the child to better understand their wishes.
Child Support
Child support is determined according to Illinois guidelines, taking into account each parent’s income, the child’s needs, and the lifestyle the child would have had if the marriage had continued. Parents may also be required to provide health insurance for the child. Courts can deviate from the standard guidelines if there is a compelling reason.
Name Changes in Divorce
Spouses may request to revert to a maiden or former name as part of the divorce judgment. The court typically grants this request unless there is a compelling reason not to.
Ready to Navigate Your Divorce Journey in Bloomington? Contact Stange Law Firm Today
If you need a knowledgeable and dedicated Bloomington, Illinois divorce attorney to guide you through your divorce or legal separation, our team is here to help. Reach out online or by phone to schedule a consultation at our office serving McLean County and the surrounding areas.
McLean County (Bloomington), IL Office: 309-807-4915 | 1012 Ekstam Drive, Suite 4, Bloomington, Illinois 61704
