Central Illinois Family Lawyers
Our Peoria and Springfield based family law attorneys provide legal advice and counsel to clients planning for their futures. We help clients understand family law, allowing them to make the best possible, well-informed decisions for themselves and their families. In all family law matters, including divorces, adoption and child related matters, we aim to handle cases efficiently and cost-effectively. We communicate closely with clients to keep them up-to-date on what has already happened and informed about what is likely to happen next in their cases.
Dissolution of Marriage
Unfortunately, the joy of marriage does not last forever for everyone. When compatibility no longer exists, and differences cannot be reconciled, the strain on one’s personal life can and often is severe. In Illinois, a divorce is called a “Dissolution of Marriage” and is governed by a statute called the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.
Divorce is not always the solution, but when it is, choosing the correct attorney to navigate and litigate you through your divorce cannot be overemphasized or understated. Sometimes the decision to part is joint and mutual, and a cooperative divorce arrangement is desired. Other times a stronger and more aggressive approach is necessary. Whatever your situation, Quinn Johnston handles all types of divorce matters and we are ready to help you through the process.
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
In Illinois, courts call child custody “allocation of parental responsibilities.” Each parent is “allocated” decision-making power by Illinois courts on important decisions, including health, religion, education, and extracurricular activities. Some parents find it hard communicating well, and this new rule allows parents to still both be involved in the life of their child even if communication is not effective. Child Custody is determined by focusing on the best interests of the children. If parents cannot agree on the best interests of their child, then Illinois courts will decide what the best interests for the child truly are.
At Quinn Johnston, our experienced family law attorneys have successfully settled child-related parenting issues by working with opposing counsel in negotiations. We will help you prepare your Parenting Plan and have your voice heard. When this does not work, our attorneys are there to litigate the issues in a favorable manner for their clients to win custody.
Child Support
Illinois recently changed the way that child support is calculated by adopting the “income shares” model of child support. According to the income shares model, courts determine the amount of child support for which the parents are collectively responsible using economic tables that take into account the combined income of the parents, the cost of living, and the number of children involved.
Once the combined amount of child support for which the parents are responsible is determined, each parent’s share of this amount is determined based on the parents’ relative incomes. Generally, the more the obligor parent makes in income compared to the obligee parent, the more child support the obligor will be required to pay.
If each of the parents is responsible for the child for at least 146 overnight stays per year, Illinois law considers this a “shared parenting situation.” Illinois child support is calculated differently in “shared parenting situations” than in non-shared parenting situations. In shared-parenting situations, the total amount of child support for which the parents are responsible is increased by a factor of 50% and the amount of time each parent spends with the child is factored into the calculation of each parent’s obligation. In shared-parenting situations, the more time the obligor parent spends with the child, the less he or she will be required to pay in child support. At Quinn Johnston, our attorneys have significant experience in helping clients earn favorable child support outcomes.
Maintenance
In Illinois, courts have some level of discretion in deciding whether or not to award spousal support, commonly known as maintenance in a divorce case. At Quinn Johnston, we can help develop a strategy that will seek to protect your interest in either receiving or being ordered to pay support to a former spouse. While working through these many issues that arise during a divorce, our lawyers in Peoria and Springfield will always act in the best interest of you and your children. We understand how important your family’s well-being is and we will work diligently to help you resolve your situation amicably and efficiently.
Adoptions
Like marriage, adoption is a legal means of adding someone to your immediate family. Adoption can be a complex and time-consuming process. A successful adoption requires careful planning and professional guidance through Illinois adoption law. At Quinn Johnston, we provide professional services and advice to help you and your family complete the adoption in accordance with Illinois law. Let us help you ensure a smooth adoption process so you can focus on the upcoming life changes without any legal worries.
Valuations And Wealth Identification
For clients with substantial net worth, it is important to select counsel with experience dealing with high stakes and high-risk exposure. At Quinn Johnston, we are proud to have specialized knowledge with divorce cases involving substantial assets or complex estates. We are skilled at identifying and valuing assets and wealth, including real estate, stocks, business interests, retirement funds, pension plans, overseas accounts, stock options, trusts and other actual or potential sources of wealth.
Premarital (Prenuptial) And Post Marital Agreements
Whether you are a business owner, an individual contemplating marriage later in life after having worked hard to build your wealth and your estate, or if you are simply looking to protect your wealth in the future, it may be advisable to consider entering into a premarital agreement with your fiancé or spouse to protect your financial rights through a Prenuptial Agreement before the marriage or a Postnuptial Agreement after the marriage.
A prenup is a difficult concept and conversation for individuals to discuss prior to marriage. However, it is a prudent approach to many marriages and can help you avoid controversy or conflict in the future. At Quinn Johnston, the approach to prenups is not designed to be create controversy. Instead, it is to define each parties’ rights and obligations going into a marriage in an effort to help avoid those types of disputes at any point in the future. It also removes the decision-making of those disputes from third parties, such as judges and keeping control of the process between the parties. Prenuptial or Premarital Agreements could also be a useful vehicle in helping to avoid the tremendous cost and acrimony of contested divorce litigation and also help to avoid lengthy or protracted litigation through the court system.
Domestic Violence And Orders of Protection
Family disputes happen, but sometimes turn ugly. If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic violence or domestic battery, there may be a need for legal protection in the form of an Order of Protection or other injunctive relief. These matters are not to be taken lightly. Such protection may be necessary for you as an individual and possibly for your children. Domestic violence and abuse presents itself in many forms and is not always obvious to an outside observer. At Quinn Johnston, the family law attorneys assist you in obtaining legal protection, but may also be able to offer insight as to how the issues of domestic violence and abuse impact a divorce, custody case, or other family law related matters. Contact us today.
About Quinn Johnston
Quinn Johnston was featured by Fortune Legal Marketplace as a 2013 Top Ranked Law Firm based on Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent ratings for ethical standards and legal ability. Several of our attorneys have also been named as Leading Lawyers by their peers in the Leading Lawyers Network. We represent clients throughout Central Illinois, including in Peoria, Pekin, Morton, East Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington-Normal, Galesburg, Quincy, Decatur, Lincoln and their surrounding areas. Our experienced litigators strongly defend clients while maintaining a high level of professionalism and ethical standards.
