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In my experience as a divorce lawyer, DuPage counties is one of the fastest counties in which a person can get divorced.

I help many people get an uncontested divorce in Du Page County. Whether you live in Downer’s Grove, Oak Brook, Elmhurst or Naperville, if you want a divorce in Du Page County you be going to court in Wheaton.

Who can get divorce in Du Page County?

Because Du Page County divorce by agreement can be so quick, people who have a choice of the county in which their divorce is handled would be wise to choose Du Page County.

But that begs the question: Who can get divorced in DuPage County?

The following requirements must be met:

1. Residency in Illinois:One of the spouses – either one – must have lived in Illinois for at least 90 day continuously proceeding the filing of the petition for dissolution
2. Residency in DuPage County: One of the spouses – ether one-  must live in DuPage County
3. Waiting period: There is a waiting period between the time both spouses begin living “separate and apart’” and the time the divorce is finalized in court. But know this: you can be considered “separate and apart” even if you are living in the same residence – it just has to be as roommates, not as a married couple.

Get started quickly

I can help you get divorce quickly because I try to make the process as efficient as possible.

Some lawyers like to waste a lot of time scheduling meetings. But that would take too much of your time, and too much of mine, and would raise the cost of the divorce.

While I do offer consultations on the phone, I don’t wast a lot of time having people in my office. Do you know why most lawyers like to have people visit their office? It’s simply because they think they have a better chance of signing up clients that way.  After all, lawyers don’t usually sit and meet with people when they don’t think they will get anything from it.

Long story short, instead of doing a big song and dance and trying to impress you with my well-appointed office, I’d prefer to get down to business. And that means getting started on your uncontested divorce as quickly as we can.

Uncontested divorce for a flat fee

Another way I help clients get divorced quickly is that I charge a flat fee for my uncontested divorce services. And I try to make it affordable. Let’s face it – no one wants to hire a lawyer. But when I offer a flat fee for an uncontested divorce, many people find that having the help of divorce lawyer in DuPage county can be well within reach.

“How do I get a quick divorce in Illinois?”

The good news about a DuPage County divorce is that it can be very fast.  But how do you make it as fast as possible?

I wrote this article to answer that question.

It doesn’t matter if the person is from Chicago, or the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry or Will. Everyone seems to want a quick and affordable divorce.

And that makes sense. That’s why I put together this list of Tips for Quick Divorce in Illinois.

Tip #1: Make sure spouse agrees

Many times people say they are in agreement, but have barely spoken to their spouse. I think what they are doing is imaging a sort of prospective agreement they think is reasonable.

But keep in mind, an uncontested divorce is one by agreement. So the first step is actually getting some sort of agreement with your spouse. You won’t know absolutely all the detail you need until you contact a lawyer, but if you can’t come to basic agreement on how to divide property and debt, then it might be the case that an uncontested divorce is not in your future.

I also handle contested divorce, and litigation. I can take a case to trial – but an uncontested divorce will be much more quick and less stressful

Tip #2: Hire a lawyer

Technically, it is possible to get divorced without a lawyer. But before you decide to do that, consider what often happens to those who try to go it alone.

1. Process: When getting divorced, there are certain procedures that must be followed. Many times people who try to represent themselves find the procedure is very confusing. They waste trips to court, take too much time off work dealing with nonsense, and so forth.
2. Kids: Often, people don’t understand how the future will play out, and a self-drafted parenting agreement will result in problems down the line.
3. Child support: People are often rightfully concerned about child support. If you don’t properly handle child support provisions, your agreement might not protect your interests as you thought.
4. Property: Particularly when a divorce involves as house, people screw up. I have numerous cases where people tried to properly handle a house themselves – only to have to hire me years later to clean up the mess.

BEWARE: Many of the divorce websites are not even run by lawyers. The users simply input information into a website, and a settlement agreement pops out.  The problem is that the website cannot possible ask the questions a lawyer would ask, and cannot spot problems like a lawyer would spot. Websites don’t think – they just spit out information.

Tip #3:  Inventory your assets and debt

With few exceptions, everything acquired during a marriage is marital property.

Do you think that just because one person’s name is on a bank account that account is only that one person’s? Not true.

It’s almost wholly irrelevant if the property is titled only to one person.  Why? Because, as I stated just above, “With few exceptions, everything acquired during a marriage is marital property.”

Tip #4:  Details necessary for kids

If you have kids, and want an uncontested divorce, you might think you don’t need detail in a parenting agreement. Many clients tell me “We’ll just work it out.”

That’s a bad idea. First, judges won’t approve an uber-ambiguous parenting agreement. Second, even if they did, it will lead to problems as live moves on for both of you. People move, get remarried . . . who knows. If you get specific, you will have the framework necessary to address future concerns.

As a lawyer, I would help you draft a parenting agreement that would help keep you out of court.

Tip #5: Your family and friends are bad fake lawyers

It’s almost always a complete waste of time when prospective clients call me and start talking about what their friends and family told them about divorce. Once happened to one couple may not happen to you, for many reasons: you are different, your spouse is different, laws change, judges are different, etc.

Instead of using other people as lawyers, you should get your own.

Because I represent clients for a flat fee for an uncontested divorce in DuPage County, hiring a lawyer can be very productive, and affordable.

How long does a divorce take in DuPage County, Illinois?

Many of the divorces I handle in DuPage County take less thane one month from start to finish. But exactly how long yours takes depends on how fast you and your spouse move, the court’s schedule, and other factors.

Uncontested divorce in DuPage County, Illinois can be quick. As an lawyer offering affordable representation for uncontested divorces in Illinois, I get a lot of calls from people who hear things from friends and family, and lawyers who don’t practice in family law. That’s why I wanted to put together this list of the 5 myths of uncontested divorce.

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Want the best DuPage County divorce lawyer? You might be looking a long time.

Do you live in Naperville, Oak Brook, Elmhurst or Wheaton? Then you are surrounded by lawyers.

If you are interested in a divorce in DuPage County, check out my article titled, “DuPage County Uncontested Divorce Process.”

Also, here are some tips in finding the best lawyer for your in DuPage County.

Cost of divorce lawyer

Cost is important. Many people have a major problem affording the representation they need to protect their rights. But there

Personality fit

You need a lawyer that fits you, and your situation.

If you are unable to communicate with your Du Page County divorce lawyer, you’re case won’t go as well as it could.

On the other hand, you don’t want an attorney who just blows smoke to make you feel good – and to run up your bill.

Strategic thinking

Your lawyer should be a strategic thinker. Not just in court with your spouse on the stand. But also working up to a possible trial. Strategy can play a big role in collecting evidence, for example.

Referral

You can easily find a divorce lawyer by referral.

But is that the best way to find a lawyer?

What is the referral based on? Friendship? Quality work?

If you are referred to a lawyer by that lawyer’s past client, is that worth something? Maybe not. For example, if the person who referred you had a case dissimilar to yours, there may not be much reason to believe the lawyer will similarly handle your case.

Starting your divorce with a DuPage County divorce lawyer

Are you looking for a Naperville divorce lawyer? Do you want to know why you should get an uncontested divorce? You could read my article “Benefits of an Uncontested Divorce,” or contact me if you want to get started. Or, you can simply take a gander at the below amazingly stupid Craigslist ad apparently posted by a real lawyer.

Family Law Attorney – Mom Wanted (Naperville)

That subhead you just read “Family Law Attorney – Mom Wanted (Naperville)” is the actually headline for a Craigslist ad that stated the following:

Part-time lawyer for Naperville family law practice. Perfect position for a lawyer-mom that wants to work one day per week (or two 1/2 days) and earn over $60K per year. Set your own schedule and your own court times. We assign you to work on as many or as little cases as you want. Most attorneys on this program work on 10 files at any given time, and earn over $60K per year and only come to the office once per week.

Willing to explore a full-time arrangement 20-30 files for the right person, where income is over $100,000.

 All inquiries will be confidential and private.

 Divorce and custody experience a must.

Why that Naperville divorce lawyer ad is so meaningful

Section 2-102 of the Illinois Human Rights Act states that  “It is a civil rights violation . . . For any employer to . . . act with respect to recruitment [or] hiring . . . on the basis of unlawful discrimination[.]”

In Illinois, discrimination based on sex (gender) is unlawful.

In other words, the ad is one in which – seemingly – an actual law firm published its desire to illegally discriminate in its hiring.

I personally feel sorry for any clients who have hired a firm run by such ignorant people. It is not smart to act illegally, but someone does, you would think NOT publishing the illegal act would be advisable.

If that law firm is publicly and unashamedly engaging in discriminatory hiring they cannot possibly exercise the judgement required of a trusted attorney.

When you engage in a contested divorce, you are putting yours and your family’s future at risk of being impacted by factors you cannot control.

For example, there are many competent and skilled judges who may rule differently on the same matter – its unpredictable.  And there are many competent attorneys who will approach the same problem differently. However, as the ad illustrates, there are simply ignorant people who can also impact your case.

In contrast, when you get an uncontested divorce in DuPage County, you are more in control of your own case than you otherwise would be.

What does a contested divorce cost?

It is unpredictable what a divorce will cost. However, if you want to fight about property and kids, you can’t be surprised when your bill runs into tends of thousands of dollars.

Sometimes, fighting with your spouse is the right thing to do – like when someone is trying to stop you from s$60eeing your kids. But most the time, an amicable divorce by agreement is preferable.

Take another look at that ad. In it, the law firm states that it will pay an attorney $60 thousand per year for working only two days per week with a totally flexible schedule.  Frankly, I have no idea how an Illinois family law attorney can have a schedule like that. I also handle contested cases, and I can tell you there is no way I could competently handle  the caseload described in the ad during only 1-2 days per week.

Imagine how much the clients of that firm are paying if the law firm can afford to pay its associate attorney’s that way. That ad states that their lawyers can make at least $60 thousand per year by working 1 day per week (or 52 days a year). That seems to mean the same attorney could work full time and make $300,000 per year ($60,000 * 5 days per week).  Sure, some of the best divorce attorneys in DuPage County make $300,000 per year. But many of them are partners, founders of firms, and represent millionaires.

Get a quick, affordable divorce in DuPage County

Instead of hiring a firm that can’t even manage recruit attorneys legally, you may contact me for an affordable uncontested divorce for a flat fee.

I can serve clients in the following DuPage County communities, and others:

• Oak Brook
• Naperville
• Downers Grove
• Elmhurst
• Wheaton
• Lombard
• Aurora

If you are considering a uncontested high net worth divorce, don’t fall into the trap of endless fighting. If you attempt to litigate, your spouse and his or her attorneys will be highly motivated because so much money will be at stake. That could make everything very expensive. Instead . . .

Get an uncontested divorce. Give less money to lawyers. Keep more money for yourself. Contact me to discuss your options.

Whether you live in Naperville, Oak Brook, Elmhurst, or the surrounding area, you can get an uncontested divorce in DuPage County if you and your spouse can communicate amicably to arrive at an agreement. Check my article titled “Benefits of Uncontested Divorce” and read this primer on uncontested high net worth divorce.

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Most of the clients I help with an uncontested divorce walk out of court smiling. Sure, on one hand divorce can be a difficult time. But on the other hand, if you filed for divorce, and then you get divorced, you’ve just accomplished something you need to move on with life. I highlight some of the benefits of uncontested divorce in this article. Or contact me now to get the ball rolling.

You may ask . . .

How quickly can I get divorced? (more…)

One of the most popular questions I get “how long will my divorce take?” I’m a DuPage County family law attorney. I know people want to move on as fast as possible Many times, an uncontested divorce can take little more than one month.

This article is about the DuPage County uncontested divorce process. (more…)