Under the best of circumstances, divorce is a difficult process. There are many considerations to be made and legal concerns to be addressed, all in the midst of a whirlwind of emotion related to the breakdown of a relationship. As you head toward divorce, you have probably been encouraged by friends and family to seek the services of an attorney to help you through the process and you may have even received recommendations on which lawyer to hire.

The attorney you choose can certainly have a great impact on the outcome of your divorce, as well as your experience during the proceedings. Your decision should be based on your own research and your comfort level with an individual lawyer’s answers to the questions you may have, including:

How Much Experience Do You Have in Divorce Cases?

Sometimes in marriage, one spouse remains at home with the kids while the other goes off to work every day. For one reason or another, one spouse has been out of the work force for so long that it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible to find a new job to live on. When this happens, that spouse can face many financial troubles if the couple gets divorced. Luckily, there is a solution to this problem: spousal support.

Spousal support, also known as spousal maintenance or alimony, refers to “payments or transfers of money or assets from one spouse to another after a divorce.” Spousal support is not always necessary, but it is needed when one spouse may face a decrease in his or her standard of living after divorce.

Not just anybody is eligible for spousal support. The courts must consider a variety of different factors when determining if a couple is eligible for maintenance, including, but not limited to, the following:

Winter has broken and Spring has sprung. It is so nice out that you decide to pack up your two year old and head to the neighborhood park. It seems as if everyone had the same idea. The park is packed and you recognize your neighbor Lindsay with a toddler within watchful reach. You vaguely remember that Lindsay and Jack were considering adoption last Fall and it appears that the adoption process went well.

 You would like to approach her so your toddlers can enjoy the sunshine together but a little trepidation of how to approach the situation is holding you back. Contemplating on how to initiate the conversation crosses your mind as Lindsay waves a hello in your direction.

As you stroll over, toddler in tow, you are still wondering how to bring up such a personal choice as adoption without appearing intrusive. Luckily for others, Parents Magazine recently published an article on adoption etiquette by Wesley C. Davidson from American Baby. Davidson suggests the following questions and remarks should not find their way into the conversation.

In November 2013, the Illinois House of Representatives approved same-sex marriage legislation by a narrow vote of 61 to 54 with the Illinois Senate following suit with a vote of 32 to 51. As Governor Pat Quinn placed pen to paper, Illinois became the 16th state to recognize same sex marriage effective June 1, 2014.

For the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, this has been a welcomed victory, but one Illinois business owner will not join in the celebration.

According to a recent article by the Huffington Post, Jim Walder, owner of the TimberCreek Bed and Breakfast located near Paxton, Illinois strongly stated he will not be advertising  destination wedding packages to the members of the LGBT community.

It is over. You and your spouse have decided to throw in the towel. At this point you have both realized that your marriage is on the ropes and soon to be down for the count. As you are lacing up your gloves in anticipation, it is time to retain an experienced trainer, in this case, an experienced Illinois divorce attorney. Lets get ready to rumble…

Seriously researching and retaining your divorce attorney is an important decision. You need to feel comfortable and confident in the one person who will be your strongest ally and advocate. When researching family law attorneys in your area, keep these tips in mind:

Do your homework. Investigate the internet, check with friends and even contact your local bar association for referrals.

You are seeking a service and it is quite common to openly discuss fee schedules up front to  ward off any surprises. Attorney fees can realistically range anywhere from $100 to over $500 per hour. The outcome of your divorce will define your future. Choosing an attorney based on cost alone is not the best strategy.