Wheeling Divorce Lawyer

Wheeling Divorce Lawyer

Ever since the town was founded in the late 1800s, the people of Wheeling have always been independent and forward-thinking. These same two traits are very important in divorce cases. Both petitioners and respondents seek to be financially and emotionally independent while they look to the future. An effective attorney can furnish cost-effective, long-lasting solutions which meet both these goals.

The diligent divorce attorneys in Wheeling at Andrea Heckman Law employ proven methods which offer these solutions. Over the years, we have learned what works, and what does not work. While we stick to the basics, we always look for ways to improve the overall client experience, from both a professional and personal standpoint. That is a commitment that few other divorce lawyers are willing to make. Our work usually revolves around the financial and emotional issues in a marriage dissolution matter.

Financial Issues

Both family support obligations, like child support and alimony, as well as the marital property division, must be equitable for both sides. At the same time, as your attorney, our priority is always the preservation of your legal and financial rights.

Child support matters are normally straightforward. In most situations, the guideline amount, which takes a number of factors into account, is presumptively reasonable. Some of these factors include the parenting time division, the income of each parent, and the number of children before the court. Judges may deviate from the guideline amounts, if the evidence warrants such a move, in some cases.

Alimony matters are usually straightforward in Illinois, as well. Some 2016 legal changes made spousal support determinations much like child support determinations. In most cases, a formula primarily based on both parties’ incomes and the length of the marriage usually determines the amount and duration of payments. Once again, judges may deviate from the guideline amount in some situations.

Property division is a bit more subjective. Both assets and debts must be divided in such a way that the divorce is not an unfair financial burden for either side. Some factors to consider include the length of the marriage, earning capacity of the parties, noneconomic contributions to the marriage, the custody of minor children, and the standard of living during the marriage.

Emotional Issues

Parenting time, the preferred term for child custody and visitation, usually dominates the emotional agenda in a divorce case. These decisions must be in the best interests of the children, and most parents agree on that broad principle. However, they often disagree on the specifics.

Some factors to determine best interests include the child’s preference, the parents’ preferences, the child’s relationship with step-relatives, and the child’s current living situation.

That last factor might be the most important one. As the old saying goes, the devil you know is better than the devil you do not know. So, even if the current parenting time division is far from perfect, most Cook County judges would prefer to include it in the final divorce paperwork.

Emotional circumstances, like financial circumstances, usually change over time. It is very difficult to re-open the property division portion of a marriage dissolution case. Most other matters are subject to future modification. In fact, most families change so frequently that the divorce orders should normally be modified at least once every three or four years.

Connect With a Hard-Working Attorney

Most marriage dissolutions involve emotional and financial issues. For a free consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer in Wheeling, contact Andrea Heckman Law.