You may feel sadness and/or anger at the end of your marriage, or you may feel relief. In addition to sorting through these complicated feelings, you may also feel overwhelmed and unsure of what will happen in the future.

Working with a divorce lawyer in Cook County can alleviate some of this stress. An experienced attorney with Reidy Law Office LLC can help advocate for your interests throughout the divorce proceedings.

Planning for Divorce

If you are planning on filing for divorce, you can take steps to prepare yourself financially and emotionally. This can include compiling financial information, checking the balances in accounts, and making copies of important documents.

You should also make a plan for where you will live and how you will pay their bills once you separate from your spouse. The most important step that you can take is to speak with an attorney about your options. Preparation before a divorce can make the entire process easier for all parties involved.

Beginning the Process in Cook County

To file for divorce in Illinois, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for 90 days prior to the beginning of the case. The person who files the petition for divorce may do so in a county where either spouse resides.

While petitioners used to be able to choose grounds such as adultery or cruelty as the basis for divorce, state law now only allows for no-fault divorces based on irreconcilable differences. An attorney can further explain the process of filing for divorce.

What Is Involved in Negotiations?

Most of the divorce process consists of negotiating the terms of the settlement. Your attorney may accomplish this by filing motions in court that asks a judge to grant a certain type of relief or take action against another party. More frequently, however, you and your lawyer will negotiate most terms of their divorce agreement themselves.

During a divorce, you may attend mediation. Mediation is usually only for issues involving your children such as a parenting schedule and how major decisions will be made. Much of the time, mediation can help you work through your problems to create a fair settlement because the role of a good mediator is to translate what people are saying into common ground that could be ultimately entered and approved by a Judge.

When a couple cannot agree on issues such as property division or child custody, the judge in the case will make a decision based on the evidence presented. These guidelines give a judge a large amount of discretion, and the choices the judge makes may not be ones that either party likes. As a result, it is often better for divorcing couples to work out as much of the details of their divorce as possible with their lawyers before handing the decision to a judge.

Get Help with Your Divorce From A Cook County Attorney

A divorce lawyer in Cook County can help you throughout the process. If you are separating from your spouse, learn more about your options by contacting a Reidy Law Office LLC today.