Naperville Spousal Support Lawyer

Few divorce issues are as fiercely contested as spousal support, referred to as “maintenance” in Illinois. Although there is a formula for awarding specific maintenance amounts, Illinois family court judges still have discretion over the award, including its duration. Having a strong legal advocate is essential to preserving your financial security after divorce. Our Naperville, IL spousal support lawyer represents both paying and receiving spouses. We support your position with a well-reasoned, evidence-based argument to achieve the best outcome. Contact Merel Family Law today for a confidential consultation.

Spousal Support Lawyer Naperville, IL

If you’ve set aside your own career goals to support your spouse’s path, we believe you deserve to maintain a comparable standard of living during and after the divorce.

On the other hand, if you’re being asked to pay support, it’s understandable to feel concerned about giving up income you’ve worked hard to earn.

We recognize that both perspectives are valid. Our goal is to achieve a fair result, but one that’s favorable to you, our client. Because we work on both sides of the matter, we can deliver more well-rounded representation and anticipate what the other party will do (and counter it).

Illinois courts consider several factors when determining alimony:

• Duration of the marriage: Longer marriages often result in greater spousal support
• Each spouse’s earning capacity and employability
• The physical and mental health of each spouse, including whether ongoing care is needed
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• Each spouse’s reasonable needs and ability to meet them

There are additional considerations, and some leeway is given in unique situations. In some cases, similar incomes make support unnecessary. In others, significant earning differences may lead to higher maintenance awards. Every case is different. We tailor our strategy to fit your specific goals and circumstances. Our firm collaborates with forensic accountants to evaluate your spouse’s assets and earning capacity (this can also uncover undisclosed income, investments, or property not identified during the divorce discovery process).

If you’re the spouse expected to pay, we assess your spouse’s earning ability and job prospects, and may enlist the input of vocational experts. Based on our investigation, we can build a strong argument showing they can become self-supporting without additional financial assistance. As professionals ourselves, we understand the dedication it takes to grow your career and why you want to protect what you’ve earned.

Why Our Experience Matters in Spousal Support Cases

Divorce is one of the most difficult things you’ll go through in life. Let our Naperville spousal support lawyer remove financial insecurity from your worries. We help people like you get fair maintenance arrangements and handle all the legal matters necessary to do so.

• Firm founder Jonathan Merel earned top honors from Super Lawyers
• Our firm was named among the Best Divorce Lawyers in Chicago by Expertise.com, an elite distinction reserved for only a select few attorneys
• Mr. Merel is a thought leader in Chicagoland family law and a frequent guest on many top-rated legal podcasts
• 10.0 rating on AVVO, a perfect score as evaluated by our professional peers
• Firm partner William McSurley was elected to serve as President of the Family Law Society while in law school

Are you concerned about alimony in an Illinois divorce? Call Merel Family Law today for a consultation.