DuPage County Divorce Planning and Strategy Attorney

Lawyer for Divorce Planning Matters in Wheaton, St. Charles, and Geneva

The weeks and months preceding a divorce filing can be just as important as the events that take place after the case begins. The decisions surrounding divorce can have a significant impact on the legal proceedings, as well as their financial and emotional cost. If you are contemplating divorce, or if you feel that your spouse may be considering divorce, the time to act is now.

At Jenz Law Office, we provide comprehensive divorce planning and strategy. Attorney Judith Jenz understands the divorce process and serves as a strong advocate for you in court hearings and negotiation sessions. Ms. Jenz will partner with you to craft orders that are in your family's best interests.

Premarital Agreements in Divorce Planning

Though not strictly a part of divorce planning, a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can be very important. In the early stages, before emotions take control, you and your spouse can make important decisions concerning your family's immediate and long-term future. If you have established a marital agreement prior to separation, many decisions may already be outlined and addressed.

Telltale Signs of Divorce Preparation

Based on our years of experience, we have learned to recognize a few indicators that a spouse may be planning a divorce:

• Financial: Bank statements may begin to disappear, a paycheck may be significantly lower, or correspondence addressed to mysterious business entities may appear. While there may be a very good explanation for any of these things, if your spouse gives evasive or inconsistent answers to your questions, a divorce may be in the works.
• Personal: In addition to late nights and missed weekends, be wary of fights that provoke a physical reaction. If you are accused of domestic violence or abuse, your spouse may be able to obtain a order of protection that excludes you from your family home, which may make it more difficult to address issues related to the allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody) or ensure that you will be able to spend reasonable amounts of parenting time with your children.

If you see these signs, and especially if you see more than one from either category, talk to a lawyer. We offer free consultations for those who are concerned that a divorce may be imminent.

Grounds for Divorce

If the situation continues to deteriorate, you may pursue a no-fault divorce in Illinois. A no-fault divorce requires no proof of a marital breakdown other than "irreconcilable differences." However, if one spouse does not agree that the marriage has broken down beyond repair, irreconcilable differences will be presumed if you have lived "separate and apart" for six months or more. This requirement does not only apply when you are living in separate homes; you may live separate and apart in the same home if you are sleeping in separate rooms or are no longer engaged in a marital relationship.

Contact Our Wheaton No-Fault Divorce Attorney

At Jenz Law Office, we understand that divorce is a challenging legal matter, and we are prepared to help you plan your strategy if that becomes necessary. In addition to strong advocacy in court, we offer well-grounded advice that you can rely on, and we also offer mediation if you feel this is a better fit for your situation. Contact Judith Jenz today at 630-202-8842 for a free consultation. We serve families in DuPage County and neighboring jurisdictions.