When a legal issue arises involving a family, the situation must be carefully handled. At Rosenfeld Hafron Shapiro & Farmer, our lawyers understand that family law matters must be dealt with in a sensitive manner to preserve the dignity and privacy of the individuals involved. Because family law matters concern family relationships, these situations tend to be highly emotional in nature, and involved parties can have a difficult time resolving these issues on their own. The family law attorneys at our Chicago firm have the experience necessary to competently handle whatever domestic relations issue you might be facing.
There are a number of legal issues pertaining to domestic relations, including:
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Complex Financial Issues
- Spousal Maintenance (also known as spousal support, or alimony)
- Visitation Rights
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Paternity
- Adoptions
- Division of Property
Divorce, Child Support, & Child Custody Attorneys
Regardless of the specific issue you may be facing, a lawyer from our firm can work with you to figure out the best resolution to your situation. Having a legal representative to preserve your rights and look out for the best interests of you and your family will take a tremendous amount of weight off your shoulders. Many individuals attempt to represent themselves in family law disputes which can be difficult without the proper legal training and experience. Those who enlist the help of an attorney for legal domestic matters have a better chance of obtaining positive outcomes because have the skill and experience to negotiate and litigate effectively.
Domestic Relations Questions & Answers
How long will it take to get a divorce?
The length of time it will take to get divorced varies greatly from case to case depending on the circumstances involved. Typically, the more disputed issues there are in a divorce, the longer it will take. Cases which require frequent trips to court generally take longer because court dockets are busy and crowded. The best resolution is a settlement when possible but when not possible trial will resolve the issues.
What is a prenuptial agreement?
A prenuptial agreement is a written contract between two people regarding their marriage. The agreement typically lists the property of each individual and defines what each party’s property rights are in the event of divorce or death.
What factors does the court consider when determining whether or not a person is eligible for spousal maintenance (alimony)?
The court will consider the length of the marriage, the disparity in the earnings of each spouse, whether or not children are involved and who they will primarily reside with, whether one spouse has given up career opportunities because of the marriage and issues, the court may consider the age of the parties, the health of the parties, each party’s ability to acquire income in the future, and the standard of living during the marriage.