Family Law Attorney In Chicago

Whether you’re going for a divorce or legal separation, the process involves various aspects, including the division of marital property, allocation of parental responsibilities (previously known as child custody), parenting time (visitation), child support, and spousal support (maintenance). Each divorce or legal separation case is unique, and the court takes into account various factors to determine a fair outcome in the best interests of the involved parties and their children.

If you’re involved in a hostile divorce, you and your ex may find it difficult to cooperate and communicate effectively, prolonging the divorce process and potentially leading to a lengthy process of litigation. In these cases, it is crucial to have brilliant legal representation to help understand all your options, protect your interests, and present evidence in court if the case goes to trial.

Our experienced Chicago family law attorneys can assist you in gathering evidence and testimonies to bolster your case, representing you in court, and working towards a resolution through litigation. Our primary goal in these situations is to protect your interests so that you can get the most favorable outcome.

At Swietkowski & Swietkowski, P.C., our Chicago family lawyers will collaborate with a team of financial experts, including forensic accountants, business valuators, and tax professionals, to tackle the challenges of your high asset divorce. Count on us for skillful guidance and unwavering commitment to your needs.

Our detail-oriented property division lawyers can help you wade through the legal landscape, ensuring that you receive your fair share of marital property. Illinois law requires an equitable division of marital assets, which means a fair, but not necessarily equal, distribution. This includes everything from real estate and investments to personal property like jewelry and vehicles. We can also help you protect your separate property and ensure that hidden assets are accounted for.

In Chicago, child custody and parenting time are determined according to the best interests of the child. The state law refers to child custody as “allocation of parental responsibilities,” which encompasses decision-making responsibilities and parenting time. Decision-making responsibilities involve major decisions about the child’s education, healthcare, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing. Parenting time, previously called “visitation,” refers to the time each parent spends with the child.

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) provides guidelines for determining these arrangements. In most cases, parents are encouraged to create a parenting plan together. If they cannot agree, the court will step in and make the decisions for them. Illinois courts prefer arrangements that promote a healthy relationship between the child and both parents, unless it is detrimental to the child’s well-being.

It goes without saying that maintaining the delicate balance between the needs of your child and your own parental rights can be extremely difficult. At Swietkowski & Swietkowski, P.C., our family law attorneys understand the emotions at play and work hard to help you secure an outcome that prioritizes both your and your child’s best interests.

The process of determining spousal support can be a sensitive one, but having a caring and competent legal advocate by your side can make all the difference. At Swietkowski & Swietkowski, P.C., we understand the emotional weight of these discussions and are deeply committed to safeguarding your financial well-being during this critical period.

Our committed family law attorneys in Chicago at At Swietkowski & Swietkowski, P.C. will help you prepare all the necessary financial documents to determine an accurate amount as well as pursue any legally permissible deviations from the standard calculation. Our legal team can also help you negotiate a favorable agreement with the co-parent for contributing to the college education expenses of your children.

The Illinois Parentage Act provides the legal framework for establishing paternity in the state. At Swietkowski & Swietkowski, P.C., our experienced attorneys can guide you through the various ways to establish paternity:

• Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP): If both parents agree on the identity of the child’s father, they can sign a VAP form, which establishes legal paternity.
• Court Order: If the parents disagree or need the court’s intervention, a paternity action can be filed in court. Our skilled attorneys can represent you, ensuring the court orders genetic testing and issues an order establishing paternity based on the test results.

If you’re considering marriage and want to create a prenup, or if you’re already married and wish to establish a postnup, a Chicago family lawyer at Swietkowski & Swietkowski, P.C. can help. We will work with you to craft a legally enforceable, fair agreement that reflects your unique circumstances. Our 40+ combined years of expertise of each attorney ensures that your prenup or postnup will be tailored to protect all your assets while adhering to the state’s legal requirements.

Depending on the circumstances, you and your ex have a right under Illinois law to petition the court for a modification of one or more elements of your divorce order. Our Chicago post-divorce modification order lawyers can guide you about the appropriate modification terms based on your needs, work closely with you to draft a modification petition, and move forward with the legal steps to obtain the desired modification order from the court that protects your interests.