Larimer Law Chicago – Your Trusted Family Law Firm
- COLLABORATION -
A Collaborative Divorce respectfully, thoroughly and discretely resolves disputes to help you reach an out-of-court agreement, with privacy and respect.
If you find yourself embattled in a family law dispute, finding a lawyer at Larimer Law in Chicago who has the reputation, talent, and resources to fully protect your interests, address your concerns, and achieve your goals can be the key to your success.
Mediation is an alternative form of dispute resolution where the parties meet with a neutral third party who helps facilitate the conversation and works to help the parties settle the case.
In Illinois, a legal separation allows spouses to live financially apart from one another while still remaining married. (i.e. one spouse has gambling problem. Other spouse is protecting assets, etc).
Divorce (dissolution of marriage) legally ends the marriage.
It depends on the complexity of the case, the Court’s docket, and whether it is contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce can take a few months. Contested divorces may take a year or more. Divorce can also depend upon who the other counsel is—are they reasonable, willing to try and settle, etc.
You must file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the circuit court in the county in which you or your spouse reside. Next steps include formally serving your spouse with the Petition and a Summons, your spouse filing an “Appearance” form and Response, financial disclosures, filing pleadings and/or responses as necessary, resolving custody/support/property, and attending court hearings.
In a contested divorce, spouses disagree on one or more key issues. In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on all terms. In some circumstances, a case can begin as uncontested and can become contested as issues arise.
No. In Illinois, an attorney can only represent one spouse/parent. The other spouse/parent may proceed without one (“pro se”) or seek independent legal counsel.
