- Consumer's Choice Award 2019
- Consumer's Choice Award 2020
- Consumer's Choice Award 2021
- Consumer's Choice Award 2022
- Consumer's Choice Award 2023
- Consumer's Choice Award 2024
At Frankfort Law Group, we help families in Irving Park navigate divorce with dignity and cooperation. Collaborative divorce offers a structured, respectful process that focuses on preserving relationships and protecting children while reaching durable agreements. Clients work with a dedicated team of lawyers, financial professionals, and mediators to tailor solutions that fit their goals. Our Irving Park office serves Cook County and surrounding communities, providing clear guidance and compassionate support throughout every stage of the process.
Choosing a collaborative approach means disputes are resolved through cooperative negotiation rather than court battles. This method prioritizes clear communication, creative problem solving, and enforceable agreements that address both practical and emotional needs. Our team supports you with thorough preparation, transparent budgeting, and a focus on outcomes that protect children, financial health, and long term stability for your family.
Collaborative divorce offers many advantages for families in Irving Park. By keeping discussions private, reducing hostility, and guiding decisions with professional input, couples can reach settlements that reflect their priorities. This approach often shortens timelines, lowers legal costs, and preserves healthier post‑divorce relationships. Our team helps you stay focused on practical solutions, empowering you to shape parenting plans, asset division, and financial arrangements in a collaborative setting.
Frankfort Law Group is a well established family law firm serving Irving Park and the surrounding areas of Cook County. Our attorneys bring broad experience in negotiating settlements, managing complex financial issues, and guiding families through difficult transitions with sensitivity. While we prioritise collaborative processes, we are prepared to advocate firmly and effectively when required. We emphasize clear communication, careful planning, and thorough preparation to help clients reach durable agreements that support stability for children and adults alike.
Collaborative divorce is a voluntary, non adversarial process in which both parties commit to resolving disputes with professional support, not litigation. In Irving Park, this means a structured series of meetings with your lawyers, a facilitator, and possibly financial and child specialists who help you develop solutions that work for your family. The approach centres on open communication, mutually agreed goals, and enforceable agreements tailored to your circumstances.
It typically results in a detailed settlement and parenting plan, submitted to the court for approval only after both sides have reached a consensus. The process reduces confrontation, supports ongoing cooperation, and provides clear timelines and responsibilities. Our team at Frankfort Law Group can help you determine if this path fits your situation and guide you through each stage from start to finish.
Collaborative divorce is a structured, voluntary process where spouses negotiate terms with a team of professionals, rather than relying on a judge to resolve disputes. The aim is to reach durable agreements on parenting, finances, and home settling, through respectful dialogue, open exchange of information, and creative problem solving. By signing an agreement to collaborate, the parties agree to disclose relevant facts and to work in good faith toward mutually acceptable outcomes.
The key elements include open communication, a neutral facilitator, and a team approach that may involve financial specialists and child specialists. The process typically includes confidential meetings, negotiated settlements, and a formal agreement that defines parenting schedules, asset division, and financial arrangements. Throughout, participants retain control over decisions while benefiting from professional guidance to avoid the adversarial nature of courtroom litigation.
This glossary explains core terms used in collaborative divorce, including how the process works, who participates, and how agreements are documented and implemented in Illinois.
Collaborative law is a process in which separating spouses work with their attorneys and other professionals to negotiate a settlement without going to court. Information is shared openly, discussions are collaborative, and agreements are documented in a binding contract.
Mediation is a facilitated negotiation where a neutral professional guides discussion to help parties reach an agreement. In a collaborative setting, mediation may be used to address specific issues while preserving cooperation and minimizing conflict.
A caucus is a private meeting held between a spouse and their attorney with the mediator or facilitator to explore concerns and refine options without the other party present.
Post decree planning focuses on implementing parenting arrangements, financial responsibilities, and asset management after the decree. It provides clear procedures to adjust terms if family circumstances change and helps families maintain stability through structured reviews and agreed modification processes.
When facing divorce, couples can choose collaborative negotiation, traditional litigation, or hybrid paths. Each option has implications for time, cost, privacy, and control over outcomes. In Irving Park, our team can help you assess which approach aligns with your goals and values, weighing the practical and emotional aspects of settlement versus courtroom resolution.
For straightforward matters that involve clear assets, minimal dispute, and cooperative communication, a focused series of discussions can often reach a solid agreement without the need for extended processes. This approach minimizes disruption and reduces costs while preserving decisions in your hands.
In cases where disagreements are manageable and parties are willing to work together, the limited approach can deliver timely results at a lower overall cost. The emphasis is on practical outcomes and clear timelines that help families move forward with confidence.
A comprehensive approach provides clear paths for parenting, finance, and property decisions, reducing ambiguity and later disputes. It aligns all stakeholders around shared goals, fosters open communication, and delivers a structured framework that supports long term family stability.
By integrating legal strategy with financial planning and child welfare considerations, you gain a cohesive settlement. This approach tends to produce durable agreements that are easier to implement and adjust if life changes, while maintaining a respectful, collaborative process through Illinois law.
Holistic planning ensures parenting schedules, financial obligations, and asset distribution are considered together. This integrated view eliminates conflicting terms and creates a single, coherent plan that supports children and adults as they transition to new arrangements.
A comprehensive approach emphasizes ongoing cooperation, regular reviews, and clear modification processes. This fosters healthier co parenting and reduces the need for future disputes, helping families adapt to changing needs without resorting to adversarial proceedings.
Start by gathering financial documents, a current budget, and a draft parenting plan. Having complete information helps your team prepare an accurate plan and reduces delays. You should share your goals, concerns, and musthaves in the first sessions, so the process can be tailored to your family.
Rely on a coordinated team that may include attorneys, a facilitator, and, when needed, financial and child specialists. A unified approach ensures consistency across agreements, increases efficiency, and supports you through each stage of the process.
If you value privacy, control over outcomes, and a collaborative environment, this path offers a practical alternative to traditional litigation. It suits families seeking thoughtful parenting plans, fair financial arrangements, and a focus on long term stability rather than courtroom contention.
Our Irving Park team helps you evaluate whether collaborative divorce aligns with your goals, while providing clear guidance about requirements, timelines, and potential costs within Illinois law.
This service is often helpful when there is a willingness to communicate, some shared goals, and a desire to minimize conflict. It is particularly advantageous for families dealing with parenting planning, significant asset discussions, or complex financial considerations that benefit from professional coordination and confidential negotiation.
When disputes are emotionally charged or the parties struggle to communicate, a structured collaborative process can help restore constructive dialogue. A facilitator and skilled attorneys keep discussions productive while protecting the interests of each party and the children involved.
Assets, trusts, or business interests often require careful planning and coordination. A collaborative approach enables thorough disclosure and collaborative problem solving to craft equitable division terms and long term financial plans that reflect both parties’ needs.
If privacy is a priority, or if timing is sensitive, the collaborative process offers a private, controlled environment. It allows families to manage the pace of negotiations and maintain discretion while focusing on durable, customized agreements.
Our team is available to discuss your family’s unique situation, answer questions, and outline practical steps. We aim to provide clear, respectful guidance that helps you understand options under Illinois law and how to proceed in Irving Park. Reach out to begin a thoughtful conversation about your future.
Choosing our firm means working with a coordinated team that puts your family’s needs first. We focus on practical solutions, transparent communication, and careful planning to help you reach sustainable agreements. Our approach maintains dignity and respects rights while guiding you through Illinois processes.
We offer ongoing support, clear cost expectations, and step by step guidance from initial consultation to final settlement. In Irving Park and across Cook County, our team is ready to help you pursue a constructive path that protects children and preserves financial stability.
If you would like to learn more, we invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss how collaborative divorce could work for your family in Illinois and to understand the practical steps involved in moving forward.
At our Irving Park office, the collaborative process begins with an orientation to ensure you understand how the team will work together. You will learn about roles, timelines, and expectations. Our goal is to provide a clear, collaborative roadmap tailored to your family’s needs while keeping discussions productive and focused on durable outcomes.
Step one involves aligning goals, identifying issues, and assembling the collaborative team. You will gather relevant documents, share priorities, and set a plan for the upcoming sessions. This stage establishes the foundation for cooperative decision making and helps ensure negotiations stay informed and respectful.
During information gathering, parties share necessary financial, property, and parenting information in a structured manner. The goal is complete transparency to enable realistic proposals and avoid later disputes. Your team coordinates data requests and organizes documents for efficient review.
In the strategy session, the team reviews facts, discusses priorities, and develops options for negotiation. This collaborative planning helps identify mutually acceptable solutions and shapes the approach to the remaining sessions. You will be involved in shaping the preferred outcomes while maintaining focus on children’s best interests.
Step two centers on open negotiation and drafting. Parties explore settlement options, refine terms, and begin formalizing agreements that cover parenting, finances, and property. The process emphasizes cooperation and produces a draft that can be reviewed and revised with the entire team before finalization.
Open dialogue focuses on honest, respectful communication about needs and constraints. The facilitator assists in guiding discussions, ensuring all voices are heard, and helping identify acceptable compromises that preserve relationships and protect children.
Finalizing the agreement involves consolidating negotiated terms into a formal settlement. The document outlines parenting schedules, financial responsibilities, and asset distribution. Once agreed, the settlement is reviewed, refined, and submitted for court approval as needed to complete the process.
Step three covers implementation and ongoing support. The team assists with executing the plan, monitoring progress, and addressing changes that arise. If circumstances evolve, adjustments can be made through a structured process that remains collaborative and child‑focused.
Implementation translates the written agreement into action. This includes coordinating schedules, transferring assets as agreed, and coordinating with financial institutions and schools. The goal is a smooth transition that minimizes disruption for children and adults alike.
Ongoing support ensures adjustments can be made if life changes, with a clear process for modification. The team remains available to review and revise terms, helping families adapt responsibly while preserving previously agreed protections and routines.
At the Frankfort Law Group, we take great pride in our commitment to personal service. Clients come to us because they have problems, and they depend upon us to help them find solutions. We take these obligations seriously. When you meet with us, we know that you are only doing so because you need help. Since we started our firm in northeast Illinois, we have focused on providing each of our clients with personal attention. You do not have to be afraid to tell us your story. We are not here to judge you or make you feel ashamed for seeking help. Our only goal is to help you get results and move past your current legal problems.
At the Frankfort Law Group, we take great pride in our commitment to personal service. Clients come to us because they have problems, and they depend upon us to help them find solutions. We take these obligations seriously. When you meet with us, we know that you are only doing so because you need help. Since we started our firm in northeast Illinois, we have focused on providing each of our clients with personal attention. You do not have to be afraid to tell us your story. We are not here to judge you or make you feel ashamed for seeking help. Our only goal is to help you get results and move past your current legal problems.
Collaborative divorce is a structured process in which both spouses commit to resolving issues through cooperation rather than courtroom confrontations. Each person retains a lawyer, and additional professionals such as financial neutral experts or child specialists may participate to keep discussions constructive and well informed. The goal is to reach a mutually acceptable agreement in a confidential setting, with emphasis on parenting plans, property division, and financial responsibilities.\n\nIf negotiations stall, the parties may decide to exit the process and pursue traditional litigation. However, many couples find the collaborative approach helps them maintain control over outcomes, preserve relationships, and achieve durable solutions tailored to their family’s needs. In Irving Park, our team supports you through every step and helps you evaluate options in a thoughtful, practical way.
The duration of the collaborative process varies with complexity and cooperation. Straightforward matters may settle in a few weeks of focused sessions, while more complex cases can extend over several months. In general, participants aim to complete the process faster than traditional litigation while gaining more predictable schedules and outcomes.\n\nYour team helps you set realistic timelines, prepare documents in advance, and coordinate schedules for meetings. In Irving Park, our lawyers work to keep the process efficient and respectful, ensuring discussions address both immediate needs and long term goals for children and finances.
A collaborative divorce team typically includes two lawyers, a neutral facilitator or coach, and may involve financial professionals and a parenting specialist. The team works together in a coordinated manner to review documents, discuss options, and draft agreements that reflect your shared objectives.\n\nChoosing experienced professionals who understand Illinois family law helps ensure that decisions are fair and enforceable. Our firm coordinates a trusted network in Irving Park and Cook County to guide you through the process, from initial planning to final agreement, while keeping your family’s best interests at the forefront.
Collaborative divorce can be suitable for many situations, including moderate disagreement and a willingness to communicate. In high tension scenarios, it is essential that all participants stay committed to open dialogue and professional support. If safety or legal concerns arise, we evaluate whether this path remains appropriate.\n\nIf ongoing conflict or risks prevent productive negotiation, litigation or hybrid options may be recommended. Our Irving Park team will honestly assess your case and explain available paths, helping you decide the best course for your family.
If an agreement cannot be reached, the collaborative framework generally closes with a plan to transition to traditional litigation or another dispute resolution method. The choice depends on the issues at stake and the parties’ willingness to continue constructive discussions.\n\nOur goal is to provide options, maintain clarity, and minimize disruption for your family, offering guidance on next steps and helping you pursue a path that aligns with your priorities and legal rights in Illinois.
Child custody and parenting plans are crafted through cooperative negotiation, emphasizing the child’s best interests. The process can specify living arrangements, visitation, education, and support obligations, with decisions reviewed to adapt to changing circumstances.\n\nAs part of the collaborative team, a parenting specialist can help translate concerns into practical schedules and supportive arrangements, while ensuring both parents stay engaged in the process and the child’s routines are stable.
Costs in collaborative divorce typically cover attorney time, facilitator fees, and any ancillary professionals involved. While investment varies, many couples find the overall expense lower than lengthy court battles, particularly when long trials are avoided.\n\nTransparent budgeting and upfront planning help you understand expected expenses, and our team works to manage costs without sacrificing quality of guidance or the integrity of the settlement.
Yes, modifications can be made if both parties agree and circumstances change. We typically revise the agreement through a subsequent collaborative session and file any needed amendments with the court to keep the plan current and enforceable.\n\nOngoing communication with your legal team ensures changes are documented properly and remain aligned with Illinois law.
Choosing a collaborative lawyer in Illinois involves assessing experience with collaborative processes, communication style, and alignment with your goals. Look for a transparent approach, and a willingness to coordinate with a team.\n\nIn Irving Park, our firm offers a coordinated team approach, with clear explanations of options and practical next steps to help you decide if this path is right for you.
The initial consultation typically covers your family situation, goals, and the basics of the collaborative path. You will learn how the team would work, what information is needed, and how decisions will be made.\n\nWe aim to provide honest assessments, answer questions, and outline next steps. This meeting sets the tone for an informed choice about moving forward in Illinois.