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Oak Park Divorce Court Attorney
Lawyers Assisting With Family Law Cases in Cook County
The western suburbs of Chicago are closely spaced and densely populated, and people who live in Oak Park and the surrounding areas may be confused about which courthouse they will need to visit when addressing divorce and family law issues. To ensure that your legal issues are addressed correctly in these cases, it is essential to work with an attorney who is experienced in the courtrooms of Cook County.
At Wakenight & Associates, P.C., our lawyers have been working in the field of family law for more than 95 combined years. We are very familiar with the courthouses and judges throughout Cook County, and we can provide you with the representation you need to help you achieve a positive outcome to your divorce case.
Divorce Court for Oak Park Residents
For those who live in Oak Park, divorce cases will typically be heard at the Maywood Courthouse, which serves the Fourth Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County. To begin the divorce process, you must file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Your case will be given a case number, and it will be assigned to a judge. Throughout the divorce process, you and your former partner may need to appear in court to provide status updates as you work to resolve the legal issues involved in ending your marriage, including:
- Division of marital property - All assets and debts acquired during your marriage should be fairly and equitably allocated between both spouses. In addition to physical property, marital assets may include retirement accounts or pensions, business interests, and real estate.
- Spousal maintenance - The judge may need to decide whether an alimony award is appropriate in your divorce case. If spousal support is awarded, the amount and duration of maintenance payments are calculated using guidelines provided in Illinois law.
- Allocation of parental responsibilities - For divorcing parents, a divorce decree will include a parenting plan that specifies how they will divide or share decision-making responsibility for their children. The parenting plan will also include schedules for the parenting time children will spend with each parent.
- Child support and expenses - Both parents have an obligation to provide financial support to ensure that children have adequate food, shelter, and clothing. The non-custodial parent will typically make child support payments to the custodial parent. Parents may also be required to share children's medical expenses, child care costs, extracurricular activities, and educational expenses, including the costs of college tuition.
If your circumstances change following the completion of your divorce, you may need to return to court to make modifications to your divorce decree. Changes to either ex-spouse's income may require the recalculation of child support or spousal support, or parents may wish to update their child custody arrangements. If a custodial parent plans to move to a new home, they may need to receive permission for parental relocation from the court.
While many divorces can be resolved amicably, high conflict divorce cases may require extensive litigation and multiple court appearances. In emergency situations that occur before, during, or after divorce, a person who fears for the safety of themselves or their children may need to obtain an order of protection.
Contact Our Oak Park, IL Divorce Lawyers
The attorneys of Wakenight & Associates, P.C. can provide the legal help you need when entering divorce court in Oak Park, and we will work to protect your rights and your best interests throughout the divorce process. Contact us today by calling 708-480-9651 to set up a complimentary consultation.