ILLINOIS DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do you need a lawyer for a divorce in Illinois?

  Under Illinois law, you aren’t legally required to be represented by an attorney in divorce proceedings. However, the dissolution of a marriage or civil union is a legal matter, and it’s always wise to have professional legal guidance when dealing with such a situation.

  At the very least, having our Illinois family law attorneys on your side lets you get the full picture of what divorce proceedings entail, understand what must be done in each stage of the process, and consider all assets and issues involved in the case.

  Even if you believe you can resolve things amicably, it’s not unusual for at least certain points to be contested in the event of a divorce. Hiring an attorney doesn’t necessarily mean going straight to contentious litigation and airing grievances and assets in a trial. At the Katz, Goldstein & Warren Law Firm, we assist clients with all paths toward resolution of their family law issues, including alternative dispute approaches like mediation and collaborative law.

• How long does it take to get a divorce?

  The time it takes to finalize your divorce will depend on the complexity of the case and the level of cooperation from all parties.

  If the elements contested are minimal and all parties involved want to get the divorce finalized as quickly and amicably as possible, a divorce lawyer in Bannockburn, Illinois at our firm may be able to help you achieve this goal in as little as a few weeks or a couple of months. However, the process can drag on much longer for highly contentious matters in which one or both parties are reluctant to cooperate.

  Most divorce proceedings take six months to two years to finalize. Having knowledgeable Illinois family law attorneys on your side helps you understand what to expect in your specific situation, take proactive steps to expedite the process where possible, and be prepared for any challenges that could delay the process.

• How much does it cost to get divorced?

  The cost of getting divorced, too, varies from one situation to another. Even the fee for filing a divorce petition in Illinois varies by county. The actual cost of the divorce may depend on factors such as:

  • The extent of professional expertise needed for appraising and analyzing assets
  • Whether one party will have to pay maintenance (alimony) or child support
  • The types and extent of proceedings required to resolve all legal matters pertaining to the divorce, which affects the cost of court fees and attorneys’ fees

  At the Katz, Goldstein & Warren Law Firm, our fees, calculated on an hourly basis, vary based on the amount of time and resources your case requires. To help you better understand what to expect and avoid surprises, we will discuss fee estimates during your initial consultation once we have enough information about your situation to provide an informed estimate.

• What documentation is required for a divorce case?

  Some of the documentation we may require includes, but is not limited to:– Bank statements
  – Tax returns
  – Business records
  – Securities statements and accounts
  – Mortgage documents
  – Credit card bills
  – Documentation regarding acquisition, transfer and sale of – substantial assets
  – Documentation of family expenses

• What is your legal approach to representing divorce cases?

  Our attorneys are sensitive to our client’s needs and understand that dealing with the emotions of family discord particular to divorce is often quite stressful. In an effort to preserve dignity and respect, we offer every avenue available toward amicable resolution, including mediation, arbitration, collaborative law, and negotiated settlements. However, when antipathies preclude alternative dispute resolution, we are vigorous in preparing cases for litigation and protecting our client’s rights. As skilled trial lawyers, we resort to litigation when it suits our client’s best interests and are experienced as well as successful in obtaining judgments in their favor.

• What other types of family law cases does your firm handle?

  We represent clients in divorce, child custody and visitation (also known as allocation of parental responsibility), prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, discovery and financial analysis, and provide legal services in collaborative law, settlement negotiations, mediation and litigation.

• Is your law firm limited in the size of cases you take on?

  No. Our law firm has the resources and expertise to handle cases ranging from simple to complex.

• How long will my case take to reach a conclusion?

  This question is frequently asked between an attorney and a prospective client at the first meeting. Unfortunately, there is no overall answer. Cases vary considerably depending on their nature, complexity, circumstances, and willingness of the parties to arrive at a resolution. Many cases, if largely uncontested, can be resolved through a series of personal meetings involving the parties and/or counsel, or alternatively, are more easily resolved through written correspondence, usually taking a few weeks or months. In most cases, however, where issues relating to children and/or finances are in dispute or require extensive analysis, it can take 6 months–2 years, depending on the level of difficulty and cooperation. After an initial consultation, an experienced Illinois family law attorney may be able to estimate the length of time it could take to resolve your case.

• What are the fees for Katz, Goldstein & Warren’s services?

  Because rates are calculated on an hourly basis, fees vary. Some cases require more time and resources and involve different legal approaches than others. Court fees are other expenses that will be factored into the cost of services. During our initial consultation, after discussing your legal matters, we will have a better idea regarding costs and will discuss an estimate with you at that time.

• Why should you choose the Katz, Goldstein & Warren Law Firm for your family law matter?

  When you’re looking for a divorce attorney, who you choose to represent you matters. During this difficult time in your life, will your lawyer add to your stress, pester you with obligations, and approach your case with only vague familiarity with the specifics? Or can you count on your divorce attorney to make this tough situation easier with their thorough understanding of the issues and in-depth knowledge of potential avenues through which you could reach a resolution?

  At the Katz, Goldstein & Warren Law Firm, we bring to each case a wealth of experience, qualified professional perspectives, and dedication to protecting you and your rights. Every client matters, and every case deserves nothing less than personalized attention and comprehensive options for achieving a resolution that brings about the desired results.

  When you retain a divorce lawyer in Bannockburn, Illinois, from our firm, you benefit from our:

  Decades of Experience

  Even before our three founding principals established the Katz, Goldstein & Warren Law Firm in 1998, they had practiced family law together for many years. We don’t just have decades of experience practicing family law. We have decades of experience working together to develop the strategies and solutions that are most effective in achieving proven results for our clients.

  The Advantages of Multiple Perspectives

  Family law solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Having a team of attorneys on your side, each of whom brings their own unique perspective to your case, allows you to benefit from exploring all options. These collective efforts have allowed us to construct thoughtful and creative solutions to our client’s legal issues that fit the individual needs of their families.

  A Commitment to Your Privacy and Dignity

  We know how difficult the dissolution of a marriage or a fight for child custody can be. It can feel like your regrets and marital issues are displayed for the entire world to see. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Our team is dedicated to fiercely protecting your privacy, confidentiality, and dignity throughout the process.

  Over our more than 25 years of experience, our attorneys have seen firsthand the impact divorce, custody battles, and other domestic legal matters can have on our clients and their families, particularly their children. That’s why we’re determined to treat you, your family, and your case respectfully and explore all options for amicable resolutions when possible.

  Proficiency in All Legal Avenues for Resolution

  When you turn to the Katz, Goldstein & Warren Law Firm for assistance with your family law matter, your legal options are unlimited. We’re prepared to help you explore all legal paths available to you under Illinois state law.

  At our firm, our Illinois family law attorneys are equally well-suited to advise you on methods of alternative dispute resolution that promote an amicable dissolution of the marriage and to prepare your case for litigation when an amicable settlement just isn’t possible.

  Our team gets results through all approaches, including:

  • Mediation
  • Arbitration
  • Collaborative law
  • Negotiated settlements
  • Judgments obtained through litigation

  We’re experienced in handling cases that range from simple and comparatively straightforward to complex and contentious. No family law matter is too big or too small because the Katz, Goldstein & Warren Law Firm treats every client individually and develops unique strategies and solutions for every case.

• What is the first step in becoming a client?

  When you contact our office, we will arrange an appointment for an initial consultation with one of our attorneys. During consultation we will review your situation, discuss your needs, explain the cost of our legal services and ask you to be as honest and forthright as possible in expressing your domestic issues. Our consultation is oriented toward determining whether we constitute a good fit to resolve your family issues. If either of us feels that another law firm may be more suited for your interests, we can refer you to a more appropriate law firm.

• How do I contact Katz, Goldstein & Warren?

  We are located at 2345 Waukegan Road, Suite 150 in Bannockburn, Illinois. You can also call us or fill out our convenient contact form.