Trying to resolve certain issues after a divorce has concluded can be just as stressful and difficult as resolving them during divorce proceedings.

If you live in Will County and need help settling a post-divorce dispute, our experienced and compassionate legal team could provide you with advice and assist you with addressing every detail of your disagreement. We could also help you understand the various modification laws in Illinois that address post-divorce disputes, as well as the mediation requirements required by state law.

Types of Post-Divorce Issues

There are various issues that can occur after your divorce is finalized, which include but are not limited to:

  • Child support and spousal support
  • Property disputes related to the sale of a home, vehicles, etc.
  • Child custody and visitation
  • Retirement funds, such as IRAs, pensions, and 401(k)s
  • Education expenses, such as tuition payments for college
  • Tax issues
  • Insurance policies, primarily medical and life insurance

Methods of Modifying

Modifying Court Orders or a Judgment for Dissolution

Either you or your former spouse can request the court to modify an existing court order that addressed marital issues by filing a motion for modification or termination to the court. Before the court grants any modification order, 750 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/510(a-5) mandates that the filing party must show that there is “a substantial change in circumstances.”

There are a variety of circumstantial changes that may qualify as “substantial.” A change in employment status or reasonable efforts to become self-supporting made by the party receiving alimony may qualify as such a change, provided it is made in “good faith” and not for the purposes of avoiding pre-agreed obligations.

Furthermore, the tax consequences of support payments such as alimony or child support can be factors in a post-divorce dispute. Additional factors may include the duration of any support payments previously made, property awarded to each party through the final judgment of divorce, property obtained and currently owned by each party after the divorce, or an increase or decrease in each party’s income.

Court-Ordered Mediation

Another way for former spouses to resolve any post-divorce disputes is through mediation. A Will County court may order mandatory mediation either by its own order or at the request of either former spouse.

This allows you and your former spouse to communicate about any post-divorce issues and address changes—if any—to prior agreements that were made during divorce proceedings.

Contact our Firm Today to Discuss Your Options

If you are involved in a dispute with your former spouse in Will County, there may be several legal solutions available depending on your individual situation. The seasoned lawyers at our firm could provide you with the guidance you may need to achieve a positive resolution to your post-divorce dispute. Call today to find out how.