Family law problems have a way of affecting nearly every part of your life. A divorce can change your finances, your home, and the time you spend with your children. A parenting dispute can create uncertainty about decisions that need to be made now, not months from now. Even after a case has ended, changes in employment, income, parenting schedules, or other circumstances can bring families back to court.
Keller Legal Services represents individuals and parents facing these issues in Bolingbrook and throughout the surrounding area. Our attorneys have handled divorce and family law matters for more than 30 years, helping clients understand their rights under Illinois law and make informed decisions about what comes next.
Some family law cases can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Others require a court to decide disputed issues. We approach each matter with the goal of finding a practical path forward while remaining prepared to advocate for our clients in court when an agreement cannot be reached.
Bolingbrook is located in both Will County and DuPage County, which makes location and proper venue an important consideration in some family law cases. Under 750 ILCS 5/104, proceedings under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act generally take place in the county where either party resides.
Keller Legal Services represents clients in family law matters involving both counties. We can help determine how Illinois law applies to your circumstances, what court procedures may be involved, and what steps should be taken to protect your interests.
Our broader Illinois family law practice includes matters involving divorce, children, financial support, property, domestic violence, and disputes that arise after a final judgment.
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. Under 750 ILCS 5/401, the legal basis for dissolution of marriage is that irreconcilable differences have caused the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
But establishing the basis for divorce is usually only the beginning. Before a divorce can be finalized, spouses may need to resolve issues involving:
Our attorneys represent Bolingbrook clients throughout the Illinois divorce process, from evaluating options before a case is filed through negotiation, mediation, contested proceedings, and final resolution.
When spouses agree on all of the issues necessary to end their marriage, they may be able to resolve the case without extensive litigation. Reaching an agreement does not mean that legal advice is unnecessary. The terms of a divorce judgment can affect property rights, finances, and parenting arrangements for years.
When spouses cannot reach an agreement, disputed issues may ultimately need to be decided by the court. The appropriate strategy depends on what is actually in dispute and whether there is a realistic opportunity to narrow those disagreements through negotiation.
Illinois law uses the term “allocation of parental responsibilities” to address many of the issues traditionally associated with child custody. Parental responsibilities encompass both significant decision-making and parenting time.
For significant decisions involving matters such as education and healthcare, 750 ILCS 5/602.5 directs courts to make allocations according to the child’s best interests.
Parenting time is addressed separately. Under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, courts also use the child’s best interests when determining parenting time, considering factors such as the child’s needs, previous caretaking arrangements, schedules, distance between the parents’ homes, and the child’s adjustment to home, school, and community.
Parents dealing specifically with these issues can find additional information about child custody and parenting matters in Bolingbrook.
Our attorneys also assist unmarried parents and others dealing with paternity, fathers’ rights, and disputes over the allocation of parental responsibilities.
Family law cases frequently involve financial questions that can be just as important as the decision to divorce itself.
Illinois child support is generally determined under an income shares model. 750 ILCS 5/505 provides the statutory framework, with the calculation generally beginning with both parents’ incomes and the number of children for whom support is being determined.
Bolingbrook parents who are primarily concerned about establishing, modifying, or enforcing support can find more detailed information on our Bolingbrook child support lawyer page.
Divorce can present additional financial questions, including what happens to the family home, retirement accounts, investments, businesses, credit card balances, loans, and other assets or liabilities. Keller Legal Services represents clients in matters involving property division and the division of marital debt.
Spousal support may also become an issue when there is a significant difference between the spouses’ financial circumstances. Illinois courts consider statutory factors when determining whether maintenance or alimony is appropriate before determining the amount and duration of an award.
Not every family law problem develops gradually. Sometimes a client needs legal guidance because something has happened suddenly.
A spouse may have moved money from a joint account. A parent may be threatening not to return a child after parenting time. Someone may have been served with court papers and have a deadline to respond. Allegations of abuse or threats may raise questions about an order of protection.
In situations like these, waiting to understand your legal options can make the problem more difficult. Speaking with an attorney can help you determine what requires immediate action and what can be addressed as the case progresses.
A divorce or parenting judgment is intended to establish clear rights and responsibilities, but family circumstances can change.
A parent may relocate. Income can increase or decrease. A child’s schedule and needs may change. A former spouse may fail to make required support payments or refuse to follow provisions of the judgment.
Illinois law provides procedures for addressing certain changes and enforcing existing orders. Depending on the issue, a party may need to return to court rather than simply making an informal change.
Keller Legal Services represents clients in post-decree enforcement and modification proceedings involving support, parenting arrangements, maintenance, and other provisions of prior family law judgments.
A difficult family law dispute does not automatically have to become prolonged litigation.
When circumstances permit, negotiation and mediation can give parties more control over the resolution of their case. A negotiated agreement may also allow families to address practical concerns in ways that are difficult to replicate through a contested hearing.
Settlement is not appropriate in every situation, however. Serious disagreements over finances, parenting, compliance with court orders, or other issues may require litigation.
Our role is to help clients understand the difference. The objective is not conflict for its own sake, nor is it settlement at any cost. It is to pursue a resolution that takes the client’s priorities and legal rights seriously.
Because Bolingbrook spans Will and DuPage Counties, family law matters involving local residents can intersect with different court systems depending on where the parties live and the history of the case.
Keller Legal Services represents Bolingbrook residents as well as clients seeking a family law attorney in DuPage County and throughout nearby communities.
For clients whose issues are specifically connected to ending a marriage, we also provide dedicated information about working with a Bolingbrook divorce lawyer.
Keller Legal Services also represents families in nearby communities, including Naperville and Downers Grove, in divorce and other Illinois family law matters.
Not necessarily. Many issues can be resolved through negotiation or mediation, but court involvement may still be necessary to enter orders or finalize an agreement. Contested matters may require hearings or a trial.
Bolingbrook extends into both Will County and DuPage County. The appropriate county for a particular family law proceeding depends on the applicable Illinois venue rules and the circumstances of the case.
Certain family law orders can be modified when the legal requirements for modification are satisfied. The applicable standard depends on what part of the existing judgment or order someone wants to change.
You are not required to do so, but an initial conversation with an attorney can help you understand financial, parenting, and procedural issues before making decisions that may affect the divorce.
When a family law problem is already affecting your home, finances, or relationship with your children, having a clear understanding of your options can make the next decision easier.
Keller Legal Services helps Bolingbrook residents evaluate where they stand, what Illinois law requires, and which issues deserve immediate attention. Whether you are preparing for a divorce, facing a parenting dispute, dealing with support, or returning to court over an existing order, we can discuss the situation with you before you decide how to proceed.
Call 630-505-1515 or contact Keller Legal Services to schedule a free consultation.
