As an experienced divorce lawyer in Schaumburg, I know that divorce is a difficult phase, as it entails many complex emotions. Anxiety and stress are perfectly normal. My team of experienced family law attorneys and I are here for you. We want to help you create the future your family deserves — and to make the process as straightforward and manageable as possible.
At the Law Office of Fedor Kozlov, P.C., we understand how hard it is for a person and their family to cope with such an intimidating situation. Our divorce lawyers are here to help.
We focus on finding solutions that ensure a better future for everyone involved. We work with you to safeguard your rights and make sure that you get positive short- and long-term results. Our family law attorneys know all of the intricacies of Illinois divorce laws, and we are prepared to guide you through.
When you schedule a consultation with one of our divorce attorneys, you can expect an empathetic approach. We counsel and advise you, all the while striving to understand the problems that led to the dissolution of marriage. This helps inform our negotiation and litigation strategies — and it lets us pursue the most efficient and fastest divorce resolution possible.
Above all, we champion your goals. Throughout the divorce process, we strive to make things as hassle-free and smooth as possible for everyone involved. Our divorce attorneys work with you every step of the way to ensure that both parties are treated fairly and you are satisfied with the outcome in regards to asset division, finances, spousal maintenance, child custody, and other important issues.
How Our Schaumburg Divorce Lawyers Can Help You
At the Law Office of Fedor Kozlov, P.C., our divorce attorneys have experience in handling nearly any type of divorce in Schaumburg and throughout the western Chicago area. We can help in a wide range of cases, providing reliable legal assistance and representation.
We are experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated to the success of our clients. We handle any type of Illinois divorce. Please do not hesitate to call us, even if you do not believe your needs fall squarely into one of the following categories.
Contested Divorce
In a contested divorce, the couple has conflicting perceptions. These perceptions prevent them from reaching an amicable agreement on matters such as property, children, money, and other important issues. The decision is left to the judge to determine the terms of the divorce. Sometimes, one spouse might object to the divorce itself.
There are many highly contentious divorces in Illinois, even though the state court encourages more efficient dispute resolution. Usually, cases go to court because one spouse is putting up as much resistance as possible throughout the process. This can lead to a case going through all of the possible stages of divorce:
- Filing of petitions: You file divorce papers with the court.
- Responses: A potentially complex stage during which the court accepts formal responses to your filings.
- Discovery: All necessary information is collected to make decisions about childcare, finances, and so on.
- Settlement negotiations: You and your spouse try to reach a fair divorce agreement, potentially through divorce mediation or other alternative dispute resolution techniques.
- Litigation: Assuming negotiations break down, you take any unresolved issues into the formal civil trial setting. You might still reach a settlement during this stage.
- Post-trial motions, modifications, or appeals: Should disagreements persist beyond or new contingencies arise after the judge’s decision, you are your spouse might initiate post-trial action.
Generally, you can expect any divorce to be costly if it goes through all of these phases — even if there is no post-trial stage. There are various administrative burdens: multiple settlement negotiations, court sessions, civil trials, and so on.
Additionally, you would have the fees of the divorce attorney who represents you in court and provides legal counsel before and after every case proceeding. As a result, most couples want to (or, at least, determine that it is a better financial decision to) resolve issues before they have to go to trial.
Uncontested Divorce
In an uncontested divorce, both spouses are able to reach an agreement regarding how the divorce will be settled. The couple decides on the child custody and timesharing schedule, and the division of property and assets.
In most cases, an uncontested divorce takes less time to settle due to mutual and cooperative negotiations between the couples. Both sides still typically have lawyers, but it is not as formal of a process as litigation.
Here is how it works. Instead of relying on the court to work out the details and issue a final decision, the parties to the case analyze all of the facts and come to all pertinent agreements independently. Then, a judge reviews the agreements and, ideally, determines that it is fair and equitable, placing the full authority of the court behind it.
The process is simple compared to contested divorce and becomes hassle-free when there is a divorce lawyer involved. Further, divorce attorneys are able to watch out for exploitation and unfair deals.
Please know that uncontested processes are not free of conflict or deception. If your spouse implies this, that would probably be a strong indication that you need an attorney.
It is likely that your uncontested divorce would still need an extensive discovery phase, investigation, and settlement negotiation to ensure that you are getting the best possible agreement for the future of your family. Attorneys can always be helpful, but they are especially useful if any of the following apply to your situation:
- You have significant or complex assets to divide (real estate, art, retirement benefits, and so on)
- You or your spouse intends to move out of state and you have minor children
- You want your children to go to college
- You do not manage the finances in your marriage
- You have been married for a long time
- You or your spouse have obligations from a previous marriage
- You suspect that your spouse might want to take advantage of you
Legal Separation
A legal separation is an arrangement in which a couple lives apart while remaining married. Legal separation in Illinois is used most frequently if:
- Neither person intends to remarry immediately
- The couple wants to live separately
- It is advantageous to remain married for tax or insurance purposes
- There is another reason, such as religion, that divorce is undesirable
Couples are legally separated after successfully petitioning the court to acknowledge their separation. The process is quite similar to a typical divorce in which debts and assets are divided between the spouses. Spousal support, child custody, and time-sharing are also determined.
Is separation right for your situation? This is not the most common solution for marital challenges, but it could address your unique goals. We also occasionally advise our clients to pursue legal separation if it would be of strategic value. In short: You have options, and we can help you understand them.
Mediation
Mediation is an alternative to divorce litigation in which the spouses come together to sort out their issues and try to reach a resolution in the presence of an experienced attorney (mediator). Despite popular belief, this is not couples’ counseling. It is a legally recognized way for people who have decided on divorce to efficiently reach the fairest outcome possible.
The couple gets an opportunity to mutually resolve issues concerning child support, child custody, property division, time-sharing, debt division, spousal support, or the interpretation and enactment of pre-nuptial agreements. In short: Mediation is a more cost-effective and less time-consuming way of settling a divorce case. If there are any child custody or visitation issues in a divorce, it is almost certain that the court will order mediation.
Mediation is a formal process. Typically, both you and your spouse will retain your own lawyers. A third-party mediator would then control the discussion, set goals, and attempt to facilitate an agreement. Techniques range considerably from relaying messages through the mediator to having hands-on brainstorming sessions.
Is mediation the best way to handle your divorce? Chances are that it will probably save you time and money. It is also a formal, controlled process. If both parties will join the discussion and submit the required information without the threat of court sanctions, mediation could be the best option.
Contact Our Experienced Divorce Attorneys Today
Our divorce lawyers have years of experience in the Schaumburg courts and beyond. When you hire us, you can rest assured that your case is in competent hands.
Our philosophy is simple: We offer sincere and sound legal counsel. We get to know our clients’ goals, understand what led to the breakdown of their marriages, and then develop case-specific strategies to get their families the futures they deserve. Then, we follow through.
To get you the best possible chance at success, the first steps are understanding your goals and collecting the facts of your case. Contact the Law Office of Fedor Kozlov, P.C., today at (847) 241-1299 to schedule a consultation with one of our Schaumburg divorce lawyers to evaluate your legal options.