Illinois divorce attorney

Chicago and North Shore Divorce Attorney

Helping You Navigate the Divorce Process

There is no such thing as a “typical” divorce. People have unique facts and different issues to address and resolve. Some people have children with special needs. Others have family businesses to value. Some have dissipated marital assets by gambling or making large expenditures on a “significant other.”

At the Law Offices of Annette M. Fernholz, P.C., you will be guided through the divorce process until a resolution is achieved either through mediation, collaborative law or litigation. A legal strategy is built around the circumstances of your case to achieve the best result for your particular circumstances. You will be assisted in reaching a positive resolution regarding issues such as:

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (formerly Child Custody)

If you and your spouse cannot reach an amicable resolution regarding the significant issues involving your children, the court will make that determination based on the best interests of the children. At times the court might appoint an attorney to represent the children and appoint a mental health expert to make assessments regarding parenting strengths and weaknesses within your family unit.

Child Support

The court will determine how much child support one spouse will need to pay the other parent. There are statutory guidelines in place but the court has the ability to deviate from these guidelines during certain circumstances.

Spousal support/maintenance

The law firm represents spouses seeking financial support and those obligated to pay. When spousal support is an issue there are several factors that must be considered by the court to determine the amount and duration of maintenance including: the standard of living enjoyed by the parties during the marriage; the length of the marriage; the needs of each party; the present and future earning capacity of each party; and the age and physical and emotional condition of both parties.

Property Division

Dividing marital property including the family residence, business property retirement accounts and all other assets and debts is completed after the property has been valued. At times experts are hired to assess the value of a property. For example, an actuary can determine the present value of a pension or a forensic accountant will determine the value of a business.

To talk to an experienced lawyer about your divorce, contact the Law Offices of Annette M. Fernholz P.C. at 312-683-0308 or via e-mail for a consultation.

In The News

ISBA top family law cases. The Family Law Section of the Illinois State Bar Association has noted that In re Marriage of Bostrom is one of the five most important family law cases in 2022. Annette Fernholz represented the Appellee and prevailed in the appellate court decision.
Cook County judges return to the courtroom. Post- pandemic, many Cook County judges are now required to return to the courthouse. Many court statuses are still conducted by zoom and it is expected will continue to be via zoom. Most hearings, pre-trials and hearings will be held in the court rooms.
Private mediation services are available to help resolve emergencies, an isolated issue or an entire case. Agreements of the parties reduced to a court order may be entered by the court to help advance your case. The court orders may be of a temporary nature or final disposition of an issue.