Divorce & Family Law

When you think about the legal issues that impact your closest, most personal relationships, you can understand why Illinois family law is so broad. Some of the relevant concepts arise from the moment of birth, while others are based upon the choices you make.

Divorce falls under the umbrella of family law, as couples go through the process of legally dissolving their marriage. However, this practice area also involves some of the most joyous moments of your life, including adoption and marital agreements.

Illinois family law is also complex, is governed by statutes, case precedent, court procedural rules, and more. The challenges are further complicated by the fact that emotions will always play a role. As such, retaining skilled representation is crucial whenever you are facing a family law issue or dispute.

At Bruning & Associates, P.C., our team is committed to serving your needs. We have the experience to protect your interests, yet we know the value of compassion with highly sensitive topics. Please contact us today to set up a free consultation with an Illinois divorce and family law attorney. Some information on our services is also useful.

Solid Legal Representation in Divorce and Family Law Matters: Bruning & Associates, P.C. provides excellent legal services to those facing Divorce and Family Law issues. Our experienced Divorce and Family Law attorneys regularly practice in the Family Law areas of:

Divorce: Illinois is a no-fault state for purposes of divorce, but it is still essential to have legal help with the requirements and proceedings. We can advise you on:

• Maintenance, Alimony, and Spousal Support: State law allows a judge to award alimony to balance the financial gap between spouses. There are different types of spousal support, and it is even possible to request maintenance while your divorce case is pending.
• Property and Asset Division: Illinois applies the concept of equitable distribution in divorce, so all marital property will be divided according to the interests of fairness.
• High Net Worth Matters: The basic legal concepts do not change when the marital estate has substantial value, but the complexities of a high-asset divorce raise the stakes.

Issues Related to Minor Children: Parents have both rights and responsibilities with respect to children, regardless of whether they are married or maintain an intact relationship. Illinois family laws protect their interests in divorce proceedings, but these matters also arise in paternity cases. Parents must address:

• Child Custody and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities: The laws prefer an arrangement of co-parenting for purposes of custody, which refers to the important decisions parents make with respect to raising the child.
• Visitation and Parenting Time: Even with shared custody, the child will primarily reside with one parent for convenience and practical reasons. The non-residential parent has visitation rights, and the schedule will become part of the parenting plan.
• Child Support: Though both parents are equally responsible for contributing to the costs of raising the child, the residential parent will bear more of the expenses. The nonresidential will pay child support, which is based upon the income shares model in Illinois.

Domestic Violence: Assault, attacks, and abuse are obviously illegal, but state laws also provide remedies for victims that focus on safety. Orders of protection can be issued by a court to prohibit certain acts by an individual accused of domestic violence.

It is possible to obtain a protective order on an emergency basis without notice to the assailant, a very powerful tool for safeguarding your family. We will help you navigate the proceedings, and our lawyers also handle stalking – no-contact orders.

Other Divorce and Family Law Topics: You can also rely on our attorneys for advice and counsel on:

• LGBTQ matters, which can be complicated despite the fact that couples enjoy the same rights as other married spouses.
• Grandparents’ rights
• Adoption
• Guardianship for minors and disabled adults
• Many more

How a Family Law and Divorce Attorney Supports Your Rights: From the above descriptions, you can see that some family law matters may not involve the court, while others could mean official legal action. The approach to your case will vary, but Bruning & Associates, P.C. is ready to serve your needs behind the scenes and before a judge. We can explain the details on different options for resolving family law issues, such as:

Settlement Agreements: Illinois law encourages parties to compromise on divorce issues, including property division and alimony. Parents can also set out custody and visitation through an agreed-upon parenting plan, though the judge will still review it to ensure it serves the child’s best interests. Child support works according to statutory guidelines, though a deviation may be appropriate under certain circumstances.

Mediation: When outstanding disputes remain on divorce or child-related matters, Illinois courts will usually require the parties to participate in mediation. A trained mediator oversees the process, guiding the conversation and facilitating productive discussions. Often, the parties can reach an agreement through mediation, but you can still go to court if dissatisfied with the outcome.

Family Law Litigation: Any disputes not resolved through agreement or mediation must go through a contested hearing. The proceeding is a trial, where the parties present their respective positions via documents, exhibits, and witness testimony. The judge applies the law to the facts to render a decision. Our attorneys at Bruning & Associates, P.C. have amassed considerable trial advocacy skills, so we will fight to convince the court to find in your favor.

Consult with an Illinois Family Law and Divorce Lawyer Today

As you can see, our team is prepared to assist clients in a wide range of family law topics. Bruning & Associates P.C. has offices conveniently located near you in Chicago, Schaumburg, and Crystal Lake, Illinois. Please contact Bruning & Associates, P.C. to schedule your free consultation regarding your Divorce or Family Law case.

Serving clients in Divorce and Family Law matters in McHenry County Illinois, including but not limited to Algonquin, Cary, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, McHenry & Woodstock. We also represent clients throughout all of Northern Illinois, including Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, McHenry County, Lake County, Will County, Boone County, DeKalb County, Kendall County, LaSalle County, and Winnebago County.