Divorces range in cost based on complexity.  At Solutions First, we charge fairly but not cheaply. Please call to discuss rates.  The cost of your divorce will depend on how disputed it is and whether there are issues of custody and/or maintenance/alimony.  On the low end, divorces can cost in the $3000 range. On the high end, they can cost 10’s of thousands of dollars.

How long will my divorce case take?

The length of the divorce process depends on how much discovery has to be done into the gathering of financial information, how cooperative the parties are, and whether there are custody concerns. An uncontested divorce can take under 6 months. A highly contested case can take over 2 years. We will be happy to answer questions about how long we think your case will take.

Can I mediate?

Divorce mediation is an out of court negotiation process. The end result is a settled document that must be presented to a judge. Generally, if parties mediate, only one of them must go to court and one court appearance (fairly routine in nature) will be required.  Anyone can mediate, provided the Parties are of a cooperative approach, are open to using one professional to resolve their differences, and will be forthcoming with all financial and related information.

Is mediation cheaper than court?

By the hour, Solutions First mediation rates are not cheaper than their court rates. However, the overall process is usually much cheaper, as there are less hours involved, and the Parties pay one professional rather than 2 at a time.

What happens if there are minor children involved and there is a custody dispute?

If the Parties have minor children, and they cannot agree on custody, the courts will appoint a lawyer called a child’s representative to represent the children.  The courts generally will require that the parties attend a parenting class and try to mediate as well. If these attempts at resolution fail, a professional child custody evaluator (with a psychological background) will be appointed.  This child custody evaluator will submit a written report, with recommendations to the Court.  If either party disagrees with the evaluation process, he/she may request the opportunity to seek another opinion.  At the conclusion of all custody evaluations, a trial will be had, and the Judge will make a final decision.  All of these steps are time consuming and expensive.  The children are interviewed by the professionals.  Occasionally, the custody evaluation process may be avoided if the Court determines it is unnecessary.  If you think you may have a custody concern, we can help you sort through how best to handle your situation.

Will I owe/receive alimony?

Alimony, which is now called maintenance, is a form of spousal support.  Generally, when one person in a marriage makes significantly more than the other spouse, there is good chance maintenance/alimony will be paid. However, the Court may consider a variety of factors including length of marriage, the ages of the Parties, the health of the Parties, and other influential factors.  We would be happy to go over these factors with you.  Usually, the payment of spousal support is not only about WHETHER it will be paid but for how long. The days of permanent maintenance are, for the most part, gone.  There are situations where permanent support will be awarded. Such situations usually consist of long term marriages, where one spouse hasn’t worked out of the home for an extended period of time and/or when one spouse suffers a permanent health condition.  For more details on these situations, please consult with us.  There is no easy answer to this question.

Does child support include other child expenses like daycare or babysitting costs?

Generally, child support is a percentage of the non-residential spouse’s take home pay.  The “take home” pay is defined in the Illinois divorce statutes.  It is assumed that child support will not include such extras as medical expenses, child care, extra curricular activities, and the like.  However, this is not to say that parents always share in these expenses or that, if they do, they have to share equally.

Will I have to sell my house?

Often times, the major marital asset in a marriage is the parties’ home.  There is no “rule” that the house must be sold as part of the divorce process. If one party wants to keep the house and can buy the other spouse out, refinancing options can be explored.  Additionally, other funds can sometimes be used as an exchange for the privilege of keeping the house.