Divorce Help - Mount Prospect,IL

I'm not certain of the laws in your state, but in NC you must be legally seperated for one year prior to divorce proceedings. You can do that part without a lawyer.

If you asked for moralistic commentary, or someone just out-and-out kicking you while you're down, sorry I missed that in your post.

I believe it's really specific to your situation as to the length and process. The Huffington Post has a great divorce section that may help out. I'm sorry you are going through this.

...and geesh, I wish my tower was as high as some others!

I don't know about the laws on procedure in your state so can't comment on what you may have to do first before you can even start the divorce. I do know that my brother says to get the best attorney you can afford, and settle in for a wait (especially if your spouse fights you or because of money issues). So start asking around locally and checking reviews online. Other than that I don't know how my brother found his attorney. My brother is on his second marriage, (and divorce), the snot. To be fair though is first wife cheated on him and the second one ran away to live with her lesbian lover and have a baby that may or may not be his. How soap opera is that? LOL

If you are in any parenting groups (other than here) ask for referrals. My attorney I found by asking my real estate attorney who she recommended ( I worked with her husband so he asked her for me). My lawyer and my ex gave me a great deal. He didn't really put up a fight and most of my requests were within reason...so it took us 7 months and cost me $2000. My attorney works in DuPage, and I believe Kane and Kendall Counties and is located in West Chicago. She is very nice, about 10 years or so out of law school and shares a private practice and also is a professor. I liked her because she was direct, but also nice. She told me what was reasonable to request and what the judge would laugh at.

Julie, if you don't believe in divorce don't comment. We don't need to deal with your stupidity.

It depends on a lot of factors.
My divorce, in California, was around $400.00 and we did it without an attorney. But we had no assets (house, property, etc) or kids, and our state doesn't require a separation before divorce, so there was really nothing to do but paper work.
I actually got a lot of help at the family law section of the court house. Thats where I had to go to get the paper work, and they gave me a lot of pamphlets for free clinics on what you need to do or know to get the ball rolling.
I also know, just in case money is an issue, that my state offered an appeal for the complete cost of the divorce. If you were in a certain financial bracket they would reduce the cost by a certain percentage. So you might want to look into that too if yours is going to be costly.
Mine took 6 months and 1 day....I have no clue why they added the one day, but thats how long it took for the state to recognize the divorce. It took him a few years before he would sign all the paper work though.
If most martial issues could be worked out I wouldn't be divorced...lol.
I wish you the best of luck through this process!

Hi I am going through this now and live near you in rolling meadows. My Atty is in Arlington hts. I did alot of looking and he had alot of expierience, and a straight shooter. Like others say, it can be costly, you will not know until you get into it. If you want his contact info, message me and I will be happy to give that to you.. Good luck! It is never easy. I know I actually felt liberated once I just decided this was what has to be done for me and my boys. Did you tell your husband you wanted to do this?? That is actually the first step. If you are past that, then getting an atty.comes next. All of them have different retainers and payment styles. My atty is not the cheapest, not the most expensive.
It can take years depending on how you both handle things.. The book "the good karma divorce" is written by a cook county family law judge and is a very helpful resource.

Go to the Lilac Tree website: http://www.thelilactree.org/. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women through divorce and they are in Evanston. Only 2 places like this in the country and one is in your backyard! They have a one-day seminar 2x/year called, "Divorce University." The next one is May 1st. If you want info before this, peruse their site or just call them. They will give you referrals for attorneys, insurance brokers, etc. They are wonderful and very helpful. I wish you the best in this difficult time. Going through it myself right now. It's not easy but you will find the strength you need. Hang in there!

If you look online you can get some specific answers for your state....I googled "Divorce Laws in Illinois" and it directed me to this website http://www.divorcesource.com/info/divorcelaws/illinois.shtml as far as an attorney....they can vary widely from fairly reasonable to wildly expensive. Make some calls...talk to different lawyers and see how much their basic fees are.
Good luck to you....no one likes to see their family dissolve...it is always a painful decision...I hope things improve for you soon

The book "Divorce and Money" by Violet Woodhouse is excellent. "Lists for life : the essential guide to getting organized and tackling tough to-dos" by Rory Tahari has an excellent list of things you need to do in perparing for divorce. I'm sure you can get them from your public library.