Oswego Divorce Lawyers

Experienced Attorneys Helping You Make Difficult Decisions in Your Oswego, IL Divorce

The path to divorce that works perfectly for someone else may not work at all for you. Although the steps may be similar, the way you approach them needs to suit your situation. You and your future ex might agree on most decisions, or you may be unable to agree on anything. You need an attorney who actually listens to you and develops custom solutions, not one who simply checks off boxes on a standard divorce template.

You need to trust your lawyer's counsel and guidance, because divorce is a complex, emotional process that could easily overwhelm you. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert F. Kramer, Ltd. have 40+ years of combined experience, and we excel at helping our clients explore their options and make informed decisions. Many of our clients return to us to handle other legal needs, which demonstrates high satisfaction with our legal representation. We will provide you with a complimentary consultation, so schedule yours to see for yourself why you should partner with us.

Helping You Move Forward in Your Oswego, Illinois Divorce

Getting a divorce means you will be separating one household into two, with a divorce decree and parenting plan serving as the guidelines for the terms that will apply going forward. These decisions can be made either through negotiations with the other party or through litigation, and they will include things like:

• Spousal support: Financial support is sometimes ordered to help the receiving spouse support themselves or maintain the standard of living they enjoyed during their marriage. Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements often stipulate whether spousal support will be paid; if those agreements are in place, we can help you dispute or uphold them. We can also help you pursue spousal support or dispute your spouse's need or eligibility to receive it.
• Child custody: If you share minor children, you need to include legal custody, physical custody, and visitation schedules in a parenting plan to present to the courts. Legal custody grants one or both parents decision-making authority for major things like religion, healthcare, and education. Illinois now uses the terms "allocation of parental responsibilities" and "parenting time" in place of traditional terms like "legal custody" and "visitation."
• Child support: Unlike spousal support, which is discretionary and is not always awarded, child support will usually be a factor in a divorce involving children, because both parents have an obligation to provide for their children's needs. In many cases, that means one parent will pay child support to the other, using income-sharing model calculations. Not only does child support address daily expenses, but it may also cover costs such as children's health insurance coverage and out-of-pocket expenses. It may also include educational costs and childcare costs.
• Property division: In Illinois, marital debts and assets are divided using equitable distribution. Rather than a 50/50 split, each spouse is supposed to receive a fair share of the property accumulated during their marriage.

Any of these issues can spark intense disagreements. Your attorney will explain your options, help you decide what to do, and work with you to protect your and your children's best interests. However your terms of separation are decided, they become legally binding court orders when your divorce is finalized.

Post-Decree Modifications and Enforcement After an Oswego Divorce

Court orders are enforceable, and violating them can lead to various penalties. However, significant life changes as time passes can make those orders outdated. Sustaining serious injuries or a job loss can make it impossible for you to pay child support or spousal support, or a job transfer to another state may affect your parenting time schedule.

Instead of making informal agreements with your ex, requesting a modification of your court orders with our assistance is highly advisable. We can safeguard your interests while helping you create a workable solution. We can also help with the enforcement of your existing court orders if your ex violates any of the terms.

Contact Our Oswego, Illinois Divorce Attorneys

Divorce can be a long, emotional process. The Law Offices of Robert F. Kramer, Ltd. will be beside you at every step, supporting you and protecting your best interests. Our offices are located in Lombard and Plainfield for your convenience, so contact us online or call 630-785-2400 today to set up a free consultation and take your first step.