Mchenry, ILlinois
Divorce Attorneys
When a marriage is ending, it is much more than a separation of two people. It can be a separation of families and friends, finances, possessions, property, lifestyle, dreams for the future and more.
At Diamond Legal, we’ve been helping families in McHenry, Lake, and Kane counties navigate their divorce and family law cases for over 40 years. Our experienced legal team is here to help you protect your family, protect your assets, and move on with your life.
Call our office at (815) 900-5794 today – and if now isn’t a good time, click the button below to schedule your call. We’re here to help.
Getting divorced is difficult.
Finding the right attorney
shouldn’t be.
We have a simple 3-step process to get you connected with the right attorney quickly
so you can plan your next steps.
Simple Conflict Check
Because we can’t represent both parties in your case, we’ll perform a simple conflict check to make sure we haven’t already spoken with the other party. This is to protect confidentiality and save you time.
All information you share will be kept confidential – and if it turns out we can’t take your case due to a conflict, we’ll refer you to an attorney we trust.
Needs Assessment Call
We care enough to learn more about your case from the start so we can get you connected with the right attorney quickly. During this call, which normally takes about 10 minutes, a member of our team will listen, ask you some questions, and gather the information your attorney will need.
We will then schedule you quickly with an experienced attorney who will be ready to discuss your case.
Kickstart Call (Attorney Consult)
We like to call our consults “Kickstart Calls”. Because your attorney will already be familiar with your case, they’ll be ready to present their proposed strategy, answer any legal questions you have, and fast track opening your file.
In other words, this process allows us to kickstart your case and get things started quickly, saving you time and money!
What to Expect:
Divorce Proceedings
in Illinois
Like many other states, Illinois is a no-fault state for divorce. This means that to get a divorce, the judge in your case only needs to find that the reason for the breakdown of the marriage is due to “irreconcilable differences.”
But there still are many factors for the court to consider. For example:
The judge also needs to find that efforts to fix the marriage have failed (or that these attempts would not be in the best interests of the family).
Additionally, in order to file for divorce in Illinois, at least one spouse must be a resident of the state for at least 90 days prior to filing for divorce.
There are filing fees for divorce in Illinois, although these fees differ by county.
If a spouse meets the residency requirements and grounds for divorce, they can then file divorce papers and have a copy sent to their partner.
This is where the potential for contention begins. If your spouse disagrees with something in your divorce filings, or your settlement proposal, the two of you could either work on a settlement or have a series of court appearances to address the contested issues.
Sometimes the contested issues are small, such as who gets the dog, or large, such as dividing up the equity in the house or the funds in the retirement account.
Other times, the spouses work together to file a joint simplified divorce, which is a specific type of uncontested divorce.
contentious
Divorce Cases
Whenever possible, we encourage our clients to cooperate with their former spouse and try to work out a settlement.
Simply put, dissolution of marriage in many cases is similar to the dissolution of any other partnership. What do we mean by this?
- First, there needs to be a complete disclosure of all matters.
- Next, there needs to be a proposed settlement.
These negotiations can take up a lot of time and drag out the legal process. While litigation involves a dispute between parties, we always encourage cooperation and communication when possible. With cooperation and communication, we can get the results you want more quickly and with less expense.
These negotiations usually include things like:
- Division of property (real estate, investments, money)
- Division of debts
- Maintenance (also known as alimony or spousal support)
- Parental responsibilities and parenting time arrangements
- Child support and custody
Sometimes, peaceful negotiation isn’t enough. If you can not reach an agreement, the case will go to trial.
When your case calls for aggressive representation of your rights, you need lawyers who will passionately defend your interests and who have intimate knowledge of the court system in McHenry, Lake, and Kane Counties.
Call Diamond Legal now at (815) 900-5794 to get started – and if now isn’t a good time, click below to schedule your call.
Why Choose Diamond Legal?
Sorting through the complex and critical issues of a transition in your life can be painful and intimate.
Your attorney is your ally, friend, and legal advocate.
Selecting the right lawyer will make a world of difference in the outcome of your divorce.
At Diamond Legal, a full-service law firm, we provide you with the guidance and support needed to resolve divorce issues using our decades of family law experience. As a leading McHenry Illinois divorce attorney, we understand the complexities of family law cases, including child custody, child support, and spousal support. Our team includes divorce lawyers who have practiced law extensively in McHenry County, Lake County, Kane County, and across Northern Illinois.
Communication is an art, and we take the time to really listen to what you have to say. We will ask you about your personal and financial goals and help you create a plan to achieve them while protecting your rights and interests along the way. Our legal team includes family lawyers skilled in both litigation and negotiation, Illinois divorce law, and trial law.
Attorney Samuel J. Diamond, a licensed attorney and graduate of the John Marshall Law School, leads our experienced team. From simple uncontested matters to complex cases headed to the courtroom, our attorneys are ready to represent spouses in McHenry County divorce proceedings, as well as in Kane County, Lake County, and beyond. We also offer a free consultation to help you navigate issues affecting families during this difficult time. Whether you are going through a divorce, facing post-decree modifications, or dealing with probate or estate planning, we are committed to providing effective representation and personal service.
Contact Us!
If you would like some questions answered before you schedule your Needs Assessment Call, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Just complete this form and a member of our team will get back to you quickly (1 business day or less).