Barrington, IL Divorce Lawyer

Skilled Attorneys for Contested or Uncontested Divorce in Barrington

When it becomes evident that your marriage is not working out despite all efforts to salvage it, filing for divorce may be your only way forward. A family law attorney can help you navigate the legal intricacies of divorce, making sure your best interests are represented in and outside of the courtroom.

At Roberts PC, we know just how high the stakes of a divorce can be. We offer comprehensive counsel and advocacy for clients in Barrington, working to help our clients achieve effective long-term solutions. With over 40 years of experience practicing law, we are highly qualified to represent you in your divorce. With our team on your side, you can ensure that you will receive top-quality legal services.

Are There Fault-Based Grounds for Divorce in Illinois?

Illinois does not recognize fault-based grounds for divorce, such as cheating, abandonment, or abuse. Instead, all divorces are treated as no-fault on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

What does this mean for your divorce? Essentially, it means that you cannot hold your spouse responsible for the breakdown of your marriage or vice-versa. A judge will not consider who was responsible for the divorce or whether there was any marital misconduct in a decision to award spousal maintenance or divide marital property. Illinois holds to the principle of equitable distribution in these matters, taking into account each spouse's needs.

Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce

The complexity of a divorce will generally depend on the level of conflict between the spouses. In an uncontested divorce, spouses can generally agree on most, if not all issues. Uncontested divorces are often settled outside of court, and each spouse may be represented by an attorney who can help to address any points of contention. As an added benefit, uncontested divorces tend to be faster and cheaper than contested divorces.

In contested divorces, there may be one or several major issues causing friction between the spouses. When disagreements cannot be resolved, courtroom litigation may be required, including multiple hearings and a potential divorce trial. However, even if there is a high level of conflict in a contested divorce, the issues can still be resolved outside of court through mediation, or the spouses and their attorneys may be able to negotiate a settlement. However, if negotiating proves to be unproductive, going to court may be the only option.

Common issues arising between spouses include, but are not limited to:

• Property Division
• Child Custody
• Spousal Maintenance
• Business Valuation

No matter how complex your divorce is, our attorneys can advocate for a solution that suits your needs.

How Is Custody Handled in Illinois?

In Illinois, child custody is determined by considering what will be in the child's best interests. In most cases, the courts will take a "hands-off" approach by allowing the parents to work together to come up with a parenting plan, under the assumption that the parents know their child better than a judge. If a solution cannot be reached through negotiation, the court will make its own determination, establishing arrangements for parenting time and the allocation of parental responsibilities.

Multiple factors are considered to make sure child custody orders will serve the child's best interests. This may include the child's physical and mental health, their adjustment to their community, the wishes of the child, and the wishes of the parents. Our attorneys can aggressively advocate for a sustainable, healthy custody agreement.

Meet With a Barrington, Illinois Divorce Attorney

If you are considering getting a divorce in Barrington, a divorce lawyer can be a great asset to have at your side. At Roberts PC, our attorneys have deep backgrounds in the practice of law, as Attorney Chuck Roberts previously served as president of the DuPage County Bar Association.

When you work with us, you can take comfort knowing that you will be served by experienced professionals who can address all of your needs. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 630-668-4211 or contact us online.