Family Law - Divorce, Pre/Post Decree

Family Law

Family law covers a large variety of issues including those listed below. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) defines the statutory requirements for divorces and other family issues.

Divorce

Divorce is one of the most stressful time in one’s life. The process of dissolving a marriage requires a comprehensive approach which includes property division, financial issues, and child issues. By taking a strategic approach, we identify and narrow the issues and work toward a negotiated settlement. Moreover, through clear communication and effective legal planning, one of our goals is to help reduce the possibility of litigation. 

Parenting Time (formerly known as child visitation)

The courts will apply the best interest of the children standard to come to an equitable split of parenting time. The statutory requirements under Illinois law are complicated and the court has the discretion to ensure the allocation of parenting time is equitable (not necessarily equal) and in the best interest of the child. Our firm will strategize with you on the parenting time of each parent for the best interests of the child and advocate vigorously for your position.

Parental and Father’s Rights

The Illinois Parentage Act seeks to address the rights and responsibilities of unmarried parents and their children by providing for recognition of a parent-child relationship as well as tackling the issues of support, responsibilities, and parenting time. The Act has equalized the rights of unmarried fathers to those of married fathers with respect to parenting time. Parenting time which is determined by the best interest of the child standard by the court. Our firm is adept at handling contested and agreed paternity, support, and parenting time matters with discretion and skill.

Our firm will advocate vigorously to ensure your parental rights are incorporated into a Judgment that reflects your interest to be a deeply involved parent in your child's life.

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities – (formerly known as custody)

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities refers to major decision-making responsibilities of a parent including important decisions affecting your child’s education, religion, health, and extracurricular activities following a divorce or a separation. Our statutes and courts encourage parties to reach an agreement regarding parental responsibilities to serve the best interests of the minor children. However, if no agreement by the parties is reached, the courts are prepared to make determinations of parental responsibilities following a trial. Our firm is skilled at negotiating the terms of parental responsibilities and, if necessary, going through the trial process. 

Child Support

Illinois law recognizes the importance the obligation of supporting children with the necessary financial resources and, thusly, provides for child support to be paid by one parent to the other. The amount is determined by a variety of factors set forth under Illinois statutory “guidelines.” Illinois statute allows for deviation from the proscribed amount either by agreement of the parties or by court order. The court determines child support by using the net income of both parties, which means the payer’s income from all sources less certain statutory subtractions such as taxes, health insurance premiums, prior obligations of child support, and spousal maintenance to name a few. We are adept at working with the intricacies of the determination of child support.

Maintenance

Also called spousal support which is determined under the IMDMA as a calculation based on each parties’ income and a list of factors the court considers in determining the amount and duration of time maintenance that will be paid by one spouse to another. The factors include the length of the marriage, lifestyle of the marriage and other factors listed in 750 ILCS 5/504. As your attorney, Berna Family Law & Human Rights, LLC knows how to develop a lifestyle analysis and to analyze income, cash flows and tax consequences in order to present effectively the facts necessary to optimize spousal support either through settlement negotiations or by means of a trial.

Modification of Support

Under 750 ILCS 5/510, modification of support must be requested by filing a motion of modification. The statute defines the requirements that would allow for a modification. Our firm will advise you on the process of modifying your child support or spousal support and advocate for an equitable revised amount.

Abuse of Parenting Time

Our firm will advocate on your behalf when the other parent is abusing their allocated parenting time by violating the agreement or interfering with your parenting time with the children. This may be enforced either civilly or criminally through the courts on an expedited basis and remedies may include makeup parenting, counseling, mandating parenting class to the offending parent, and other remedies.

Domestic Violence and Orders of Protection

Greta is a certified Domestic Violence Professional. At times, domestic violence enters a marriage or family and requires the use of protective orders to prevent further injuries or emotional harm. This may prevent contact between spouses as well as children in some cases. Our firm will help you during this difficult time and if necessary file for an Order of Protection against the abusive spouse. 

Probate

Probate is the legal process of proving a will is valid after the will’s holder had died or of administering estates when the decedent does not have a will. In Illinois, probate attorneys must first file the will with the appropriate court, then petition to have the court approve it and appoint an executor. The executor then administers the estate once it is approved by the court. If the will is not approved, the court distributes the estate according to Illinois law. Our goal is to find the fastest path through this complex system, striving to keep costs down while doing everything necessary to see that your loved one’s goals are accomplished.