Spousal Support Lawyer Chicago, IL
Get Your Fair Due With Our Chicago Alimony Attorneys
Very few aspects of divorce are as hotly contested as spousal support, also referred to as alimony. In Illinois, there is no specific formula for determining the amount and duration of spousal support, so having an aggressive divorce attorney fighting for your best interests is critical. That’s us. Our Chicago, IL, spousal support lawyer can represent either the paying or receiving spouses in alimony cases. We are determined, we know Illinois family law and case law well, and we’re committed to the best outcome in your alimony case.
If you’ve put your own career aspirations on hold to support your spouse’s professional journey, we agree that you should be entitled to maintain a similar standard of living during and after the divorce. Or, if you’re the one being asked to pay spousal maintenance, you may rightly feel it’s unfair to part with the income you’ve worked hard to earn.
At Merel Family Law, we understand that spouses in both situations have valid expectations. We’re committed to representing your interests and advocating for a fair outcome, even in the most contentious divorces. Let’s get started. Call us today to get to work on your fair alimony award.
Illinois Spousal Support Laws And Your Divorce
Illinois judges award alimony based on several factors:
- Duration of the marriage: longer marriages typically mean more spousal support
- Earning potential and employability of each spouse
- The health (physical and mental) of each spouse, including whether one spouse requires long-term care
- The standard of living the couple enjoyed during the marriage
- Reasonable needs of each spouse and their respective abilities to meet them
There are other factors and no strict rules about awarding alimony. Some couples have comparable incomes and earning potentials, making spousal support unnecessary. Others may have significant disparities, so the judge may award more than the typical amount. Each case is unique. Our attorneys tailor our approach to your specific circumstances and objectives.
How Our Chicago Spousal Support Lawyer Assists You
If you’re seeking spousal support, our attorneys build a strong case justifying the amount and duration you seek. We often secure the services of forensic accountants to assess your spouse’s assets and earning capacity. This has the added benefit of exploring the possibility of assets, income, or investments that your spouse may not have disclosed during discovery.
We also consider your specific situation. Perhaps you’ve dropped out of your career path or postponed your education to support your spouse or raise shared children, leaving you at a disadvantage professionally. We negotiate sufficient support to help you complete your education or vocational training and provide the means to maintain a lifestyle similar to that you had during your marriage.
If you’re the spouse being asked to provide maintenance, we scrutinize your spouse’s earning potential and job prospects, often with the input of vocational experts. Then, our Chicago spousal support lawyer crafts a compelling case demonstrating that your spouse can support themselves without additional financial assistance from you. As hard-working professionals ourselves, we recognize the effort and sacrifices you’ve made to advance your career, and understandably, you wish to retain the income you’ve earned.
Divorce has enough challenges without worrying about how you’re going to support yourself after the split. We’re here to fight for every penny you deserve. Contact Merel Family Law for a personalized case evaluation.
