An Overview of Our Family Law Practice
For more information about an issue, click on the heading.
Divorce
If you have decided to end your marriage, you are probably feeling a great deal of animosity toward your spouse right now. At The Murphy Law Group in Peoria, Illinois, our attorneys will help you take a step back and think about what is important to your children, you and your future. Our goal is to get you though the divorce or marriage dissolution process and obtain a favorable result for you.
Child Custody
Child custody cases are a priority with The Murphy Law Group. While our attorneys try many child custody cases in the Peoria and Central Illinois area, the majority of cases we handle are ultimately settled by lengthy and hard fought negotiation. Our belief is that two parents acting rationally and with the help of two experienced family law attorneys will make a better decision regarding the care and custody of their children than will one judge who barely knows you. However, that does not always work. In those cases, we are there for you to litigate the issues in a favorable manner for you to win custody.
Visitation
Under normal circumstances, every parent has the right to have visitation with their children. There are, however, exceptions. A standard type visitation schedule might include seeing their child every other weekend, one evening during the week, alternate holidays, and extra time during school breaks and summer vacation. However, many other types of visitation schedules are possible.
Child Support
In Illinois, child support is determined by a formula that considers your net income and the number of children you support. Although it sounds routine, it is anything but that. Because of difficult calculations regarding what a person's income actually is comprised of and what taxes and deductions are allowed, hiring the right lawyer for the job is crucial.
Marital Property Division
In general, marital property includes assets and debts accumulated from the date of your marriage until the date of your divorce. Non-marital property includes assets you had before your marriage, as well as gifts and inheritances received during marriage that you keep separate. However, many people overlook the "keep separate" part. The issue of property distribution is also very difficult and an experienced trial attorney can make all the difference is what you actually receive.
Alimony and Maintenance
Alimony (called maintenance in Illinois) is financial support a higher-earning spouse pays to the lower-earning spouse for a period of time after divorce. Unlike child support, there are no specific formulas that mandate whether maintenance should be paid or how much it should be. There are, however, numerous factors the court must consider. Once again, having an experienced family law attorney on your side will make all the difference.
Post-Judgment Modifications
When certain family issues are involved, modification of the settlement can be undertaken. Custody, child support, visitation and other children issues, as well as maintenance can all be changed if there is a substantial change in circumstances after your divorce. The property distribution is, as a rule, not able to be modified.
Paternity Actions
A significant number of child custody and child support cases in Illinois involve parents who were never married. In general, in Illinois, the same laws for children issues that apply in a divorce case also apply when an unmarried relationship ends.
Orders of Protection
Restraining orders can provide needed protection for victims of domestic violence. However, these orders can also be abused in order to attempt to obtain the upper hand in a divorce or child custody case. If this is the case, we can help you fight the order.
Mediation
Mediation is the process whereby each party jointly meets with the mediator to attempt to come to a joint and amicable resolution of the relevant divorce related issues. In custody and visitation disputes, mediation is mandatory if a settlement is not reached.
Free Initial Attorney Consultation
There is no charge for the initial consultation at our firm. To set up an appointment, please call us at 866-681-5405, or fill out the contact form on this Web site. We are located at 2886 W. Willow Knolls Drive, Peoria, Illinois 61614. Parking is also free.
