Protecting Your Financial Future In Property Division Proceedings
Illinois is an equitable division state, which means family courts attempt to divide marital property according to what is fair, not necessarily what is exactly equal. Fairness in these cases has a loose definition giving a judge a good deal of discretion. While many divorcing couples initially try to justify their property division goals by bringing up instances of marital misconduct (i.e., adultery), the court, is not concerned with these details when it comes to the division of property.
7 Things The Court Considers In Illinois Property Division
- Prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements that outline how property should be divided.
- How much each individual contributed to the marriage financially, through employment income, investment decisions, acquisition of property, etc.
- How much a homemaker contributed by caring for children, maintaining the family home and otherwise fostering a stable partnership.
- What kinds of assets and debts each individual holds independently versus those held together.
- How long the marriage lasted.
- Which individual may be better suited to take on property and the expenses associated with it (e.g., would the party that stayed at home be able to financially support mortgage payments and property taxes for that home after the divorce is final?).
- Spousal support payments that will be made to accommodate standards of living that one spouse may struggle to uphold due to employment issues or sacrifices made during the marriage.
Get Help The Help You Need In Settlement Negotiations And Court
As the principal of Steele Law Offices, LLC, in Glen Carbon, Illinois, I am a strong advocate for you. Whenever possible, I seek to facilitate cooperative decision making so that the process moves forward towards a acceptable resolution.
With more than 30 years of experience as an Illinois divorce lawyer I know when to push for better offers, when to stand up and defend you in court, and when to negotiate a settlement. I can help you understand your rights and make decisions that give you the best opportunity for a favorable outcome.
Call me, attorney Randall Steele at Steele Law Offices, LLC, online or by telephone at 618-310-0844 to arrange a consultation. I will make sure you understand what is at stake, your rights and your options.