Wheaton, Illinois Divorce Lawyers Serving DuPage County, IL, and the Surrounding Areas
If you’re navigating a divorce in Wheaton, Illinois, or the surrounding areas, it’s crucial to secure knowledgeable and empathetic legal representation. The outcome of these cases can profoundly affect you and your family, with lasting consequences. At Stange Law Firm, we focus exclusively on divorce and family law matters. Our experienced DuPage County divorce attorneys possess the knowledge to support you through every step of the process with care and understanding. Whether your divorce requires courtroom litigation or can be settled through alternative dispute resolution, Stange Law Firm has the dedicated team and resources to assist you.
From our conveniently located office, we are able to assist residents of Wheaton, IL, and the surrounding areas with a comprehensive range of domestic relations issues, including:
- Wheaton, Illinois Divorce Lawyers: If you need help with a divorce in DuPage County, our lawyers can help.
- Wheaton, Illinois Child Support Lawyers: If you are in or near DuPage County, Illinois, and are interested in finding out more information about child support, our webpage has additional information.
- Wheaton, Illinois Child Custody Lawyers: If you need a child custody lawyer in or around DuPage County, IL, we have attorneys who can help.
- Wheaton, Illinois Paternity Lawyers: If you are an unmarried parent in DuPage County or nearby who needs a custody attorney, we have lawyers who can assist.
- Wheaton, Illinois Fathers’ Rights Attorneys: If you are a father in need of a divorce or domestic relations representation near DuPage County, Illinois, we have lawyers who can assist.
- Wheaton, Illinois Domestic Litigation Attorneys: We can help with your domestic relations needs in the Wheaton, Illinois area in DuPage County.
The attorneys at Stange Law Firm recognize that your divorce in Wheaton, Illinois, can be one of the most emotionally challenging and stressful experiences you face. That’s why our dedicated DuPage County divorce attorneys are here to fight for your best interests, whether your divorce is uncontested or contested. Whether your case can be resolved through negotiation or needs to go to trial, the legal team at Stange Law Firm is committed to guiding you through every step of the process.
You can also find out more information about DuPage County, IL here:
- Government Website for DuPage County, Illinois: Interested in learning more about the government for DuPage County, Illinois? Click this link to learn more.
- DuPage County, Illinois Court Rules: If you are interested in the local rules for DuPage County, Illinois, please click this link to read more.
- DuPage County, IL Courthouse: Click here for the address and directions to the DuPage County Courthouse.
- DuPage County Children’s Advocacy Center: Do you know a child facing sexual or physical abuse in DuPage County, Illinois? Click here for information.
COMMON DIVORCE QUESTIONS IN ILLINOIS
What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Illinois?
In Illinois, you may seek a divorce for the following reasons:
- Adultery by your spouse
- Bigamy (marrying someone while still legally married to another)
- Impotence
- Desertion for one year
- Attempted murder of your spouse
- Addiction to drugs or alcohol
- A spouse’s felony conviction
- Infliction of a sexually transmitted disease
- Living separate and apart for six months
- Irreconcilable differences that have caused an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage
In cases involving living separately due to irreconcilable differences, you must show the court that you’ve made efforts to preserve the marriage, but it’s beyond repair. The court will assess the evidence to determine if reconciliation is appropriate.
Residency Requirements for Divorce in Wheaton, Illinois
To file for divorce in Illinois, one party must have lived in the state for at least 90 days before filing. The divorce petition can be filed in the county where either spouse resides.
Court and Action Titles in Wheaton, Illinois
Divorce cases are filed in the Circuit Court. The process begins with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and ends with a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage. The person who files is the Petitioner, while the other spouse is the Respondent.
Legal Separation in Wheaton, Illinois
If you and your spouse are living apart but do not want a divorce, you may seek a judgment of legal separation.
Simplified Divorce Procedure in Wheaton, Illinois
If you meet certain conditions, you may be eligible for a simplified divorce process by filing jointly, such as:
- Neither party needs support or both waive the right to support
- Residency requirements are met
- Irreconcilable differences or six months of separation
- No children or the wife is not pregnant
- The marriage is no older than eight years
- No interest in real property
- The total value of marital property is less than $50,000
- Combined income is under $60,000
- Full asset disclosure has been made
- A written agreement dividing assets has been executed
Spousal Maintenance in DuPage County, IL
As of January 2018, Illinois follows a formula to calculate spousal maintenance:
- (Marriage 0-5 years) x (20%)
- (Marriage 5-6 years) x (24%)
- (Marriage 6-7 years) x (28%)
- (Marriage 7-8 years) x (32%)
- (Marriage 8-9 years) x (36%)
- (Marriage 9-10 years) x (40%)
- (Marriage 10-11 years) x (44%)
- (Marriage 11-12 years) x (48%)
- (Marriage 12-13 years) x (52%)
- (Marriage 13-14 years) x (56%)
- (Marriage 14-15 years) x (60%)
- (Marriage 15-16 years) x (64%)
- (Marriage 16-17 years) x (68%)
- (Marriage 17-18 years) x (74%)
- (Marriage 18-19 years) x (76%)
- (Marriage 19-20 years) x (80%)
- Marriages of 20+ years – The court shall order either permanent maintenance or the length of the marriage.
The formula for Maintenance: Amount – (30% of the payer’s income) – (20% of the receiver’s income)
*The receiver’s new income cannot exceed 40% of the parties’ combined income
Distribution of Property in Wheaton, Illinois
Illinois follows an equitable distribution model for property division. The court will consider the following factors:
- Contributions to property acquisition
- Dissipation of property by either party
- The length of the marriage
- The parties’ financial circumstances
- Existing rights from previous marriages
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
- The needs and abilities of both parties, including any custodial provisions for children
Child Custody (Parenting Responsibilities) in DuPage County, Illinois
If parents cannot agree, the court will decide custody based on:
- The parents’ and child’s wishes
- The amount of caretaking by each parent
- Any prior agreements or behaviors
- The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community
- The mental and physical health of all parties
- History of domestic violence or abuse
Illinois law may allow a court to interview the child in chambers regarding custody preferences.
Child Support in Wheaton, Illinois
Illinois has established child support guidelines, but the court may adjust the support amount if necessary, considering:
- The child’s financial needs
- The parents’ financial resources
- The standard of living the child would have had if the marriage hadn’t been dissolved
- The physical and emotional condition of the child
Additionally, parents may be required to provide healthcare coverage for the child.
Name Change in DuPage County
A spouse may request a name change back to their maiden or former name, which the court may grant as part of the divorce process.
Contact Our Wheaton, Illinois Divorce Attorneys Today to Schedule a Consultation
When you have a divorce case and need representation in the DuPage County, IL area, our attorneys at our office nearby are ready to help. The attorneys of Stange Law Firm know how important family is to you and are ready to lead you through your case.
