Going Through a Divorce or Custody Dispute?
It's one of the hardest things you'll ever face. Here's what you need to know — no legal jargon, just the facts.
Where to Start
Whether you're considering divorce or already in the middle of it, you probably have a lot of questions: What happens to the kids? How do we split everything? How long will this take? Can I afford this?
Those are the right questions. And the honest answer is: it depends on your situation. But I can help you understand what Illinois law says, what to expect, and what your options are.
What I Help With
- Divorce — contested and uncontested, from simple to complex
- Child custody — who makes decisions, who the kids live with, parenting time schedules
- Child support — how much, how it's calculated, and what happens when things change
- Spousal maintenance — whether it applies to your situation
- Property division — Illinois is an "equitable distribution" state, which doesn't always mean 50/50
- Modifications — when life changes and your order needs to change too
- Paternity — establishing legal parentage and the rights that come with it
- Orders of protection — when safety is the priority
Something Important to Know
In Illinois, if your case involves kids, mediation is typically required before a judge will make a custody decision. That means you'll sit down with a neutral mediator to try to work things out. It sounds intimidating, but it's actually designed to keep you in control of the outcome instead of leaving it up to a judge who doesn't know your family.
Questions I Get Asked a Lot
Not necessarily. Many cases settle through negotiation or mediation without ever seeing a courtroom. If we can reach an agreement, I'll draft it and submit it to the judge for approval. But if agreement isn't possible, I'm fully prepared to advocate for you in court.
Illinois uses an "income shares" model — basically, it looks at both parents' incomes, the number of children, and how much time each parent spends with the kids. The goal is to approximate what would've been spent on the kids if you were still together. I can run the numbers for your specific situation so you know what to expect.
You need to live in Illinois for at least six months before you can file. After that, an uncontested divorce where you both agree on everything can wrap up in a few months. Contested cases — especially ones involving custody disputes or complex finances — can take a year or more. I'll give you an honest timeline based on your situation.
Yes. If there's been a "substantial change in circumstances" — like a job loss, relocation, or change in your child's needs — you can ask the court to modify the order. I handle modifications regularly and can tell you whether your situation qualifies.
Yes — most of my family law clients are in Tazewell, Woodford, McLean, Knox, Marshall, Putnam, Fulton, and Mason counties. I regularly appear in courts across all nine. Not sure if I handle yours? Just ask.
"If you are looking for a lawyer, Chris is the one for you. My case took several years and involved multiple agencies and issues. Chris was able to handle it all with no problems. If it wasn't for Chris I would not have the relationship I have with my children today."