- 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
Facing a family law matter in Homer Glen can feel overwhelming. This guide offers straightforward information about how Illinois law handles divorce, child custody, support, and property division, with a focus on local processes in Will County. You will learn how decisions are made, what documents are commonly required, and the typical timeline for court events. The goal is to empower you to plan effectively and feel supported as you navigate the legal steps ahead.
Whether you are initiating proceedings, responding to a petition, or seeking a modification, understanding your options helps you protect what matters most. In Homer Glen, the local court system considers the best interests of children and fair distribution of marital assets, while also acknowledging parental involvement and stability. This section highlights common questions and offers practical considerations to help you prepare for conversations with counsel, mediators, and judges. You deserve clear information and respectful, solution-focused advocacy.
Choosing professional guidance in a family matter helps you clarify goals, avoid costly mistakes, and pursue outcomes that align with your family’s best interests. A thoughtful attorney can explain options for negotiation, mediation, or court relief, and help you document agreements that reflect your priorities. With local familiarity in Homer Glen and Will County, your advocate can coordinate with courts and professionals, manage deadlines, and keep conversations productive. This support reduces stress and supports a smoother path forward.
Frankfort Law Group is a family-focused firm serving Homer Glen and nearby communities. Our team brings years of experience handling divorce, custody, parenting time matters, and complex asset decisions, while also embracing collaborative approaches when appropriate. We strive to listen carefully, assess priorities, and develop strategies that protect children and preserve financial stability. By working with clients, we aim to explain options clearly, prepare strong filings, and pursue practical solutions through negotiation or court processes.
Family law covers decisions about marriage dissolution, child arrangements, and asset distribution, balancing rights with responsibilities. In Illinois, courts prioritize the best interests of children, fair financial outcomes, and stable arrangements for parenting. Our firm guides you through these elements, helping you identify goals, assess potential outcomes, and prepare documents that reflect your priorities. Clear communication with clients and a focus on practical solutions are central to our approach.
Throughout the process, we help clients understand steps such as filing, discovery, negotiation, mediation, and when to seek court relief. We outline timelines, required forms, and expectations for hearings, keeping you informed at every stage. By offering steady guidance, we aim to reduce stress and enable steady progress toward resolutions that support family stability and long-term well-being.
Family law encompasses legal matters that affect the home and the next generation. It includes divorce, child custody and support, parenting plans, and the division of marital property. Understanding how these areas intersect helps you set realistic expectations and choose a path that aligns with your family’s needs. Our aim is to provide clear explanations of options, timelines, and potential outcomes so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Key elements in family law matters include identifying goals, determining the best interests of children, negotiating parenting plans, and documenting financial arrangements. The processes often involve initial consultations, asset review, discovery, mediation, and court hearings when necessary. Understanding these elements helps you participate more effectively in the case, prepares you for required steps, and supports a smoother progression toward a durable resolution that reflects your family’s priorities.
This glossary defines common terms used in family law matters to help you understand filings, orders, and the steps involved in resolving disputes. From custody and parenting time to asset division and support calculations, familiarizing yourself with these terms can make conversations with counsel more productive. While each case is unique, having a shared vocabulary supports clearer planning, informed decisions, and smoother communication with the court and professionals.
Custody and parenting time refer to the rights and schedules for a child’s upbringing after separation or divorce. Custody determines who has decision-making authority for major life choices, while parenting time outlines when a child will spend time with each parent. In Illinois, parenting plans are crafted to protect the child’s best interests, promote stable routines, and support ongoing involvement of both parents where appropriate. The court considers factors such as the child’s needs, relationship quality, and each parent’s ability to provide a nurturing environment.
Property division describes how marital assets and debts are allocated between spouses after a separation. Illinois applies an equitable distribution approach, aiming for a fair division rather than a strict 50/50 split in all cases. The process assesses factors such as contributions to the marriage, duration, standard of living, and future needs. Understanding this concept helps you prepare accurate disclosures and negotiate arrangements that align with long-term financial security.
Child support is the financial contribution intended to meet a child’s basic needs, including housing, food, clothing, and medical care. In Illinois, support amounts are guided by statutory guidelines and depend on factors like income, custody arrangements, and the number of children. The aim is to provide consistent support that protects the child’s welfare while balancing the financial responsibilities of both parents.
Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral mediator helps parties discuss issues and reach mutually acceptable agreements. Settlement refers to a formal agreement resolving disputes without a trial. In many cases, mediation leads to quicker, more flexible outcomes that preserve relationships and reduce court costs. Engaging in mediation with clear goals and prepared documentation can facilitate constructive dialogue and durable resolutions.
When facing family law issues, you can pursue negotiation, mediation, collaborative processes, or litigation. Negotiation and mediation emphasize cooperation and flexible solutions, while litigation seeks a formal decision through the court. Collaborative approaches involve strategies designed to resolve matters outside court with ongoing cooperation. Each path has its own timelines, costs, and potential outcomes. The right choice depends on your priorities, willingness to work with the other party, and the specifics of your case.
A limited approach can be appropriate when issues are straightforward, agreements are largely in place, or there are time constraints. This path focuses on essential terms, efficient communication, and clear documentation to reach a practical settlement without extending the process. Even in simplified scenarios, a careful review of the details helps prevent overlooked obligations and future disputes. Our guidance ensures you understand the scope and limitations of this option.
In some cases, a limited approach still requires formal agreements and proper filing to ensure enforceability. While not pursuing a full court process, you will still benefit from professional preparation, accurate disclosures, and careful attention to deadlines. This helps safeguard your rights and provides a solid foundation should circumstances change. We help you assess suitability and guide you through the steps needed to finalize the arrangement.
A comprehensive service is often essential when disputes are complex, assets are substantial, or children’s needs require careful planning. Thorough review, coordinated strategy, and proactive communication help you protect interests, minimize risk, and achieve durable results. This approach fosters clarity, reduces uncertainty, and supports adjustments as circumstances evolve. Our team coordinates all facets, from initial assessments to final orders, ensuring a cohesive and responsive process.
Comprehensive services are particularly valuable when negotiations involve multiple issues or parties, when business or real estate interests intersect with family matters, or when modifications to custody require long-term planning. A coordinated strategy helps ensure consistency across filings, preserves important records, and builds a narrative that supports your goals in court or through negotiated agreements. We tailor the scope to your needs, maintaining focus on your family’s long-term stability.
A comprehensive approach provides a clear roadmap from start to finish, reducing surprises and streamlining the process. It allows for early identification of potential issues, coordinated handling of disclosures, and proactive planning that protects children, finances, and futures. By aligning strategy, documentation, and communication, you gain confidence in the path ahead and a smoother transition through each stage of the case.
This approach also fosters collaborative problem solving, lowers the likelihood of conflicts, and supports durable agreements that can adapt to future changes. Clients benefit from consistent updates, careful management of deadlines, and a steady hand guiding negotiations and filings. The result is a more predictable process that prioritizes stability and the well‑being of family members, especially children.
A broad, well-coordinated approach provides greater clarity about rights, obligations, and potential outcomes. Clients know what to expect at each stage, reducing uncertainty and enabling careful planning. Predictable timelines help families prepare for hearings, disclosures, and negotiations, while still allowing room for flexible, child-centered solutions that protect assets and long-term welfare.
A comprehensive plan supports families through transitions by providing consistent guidance, coordinated documentation, and targeted advocacy. This approach helps minimize disruption to children’s routines, fosters cooperative parenting, and ensures that legal requests reflect practical needs. With steady advocacy, families can navigate changes with confidence and maintain focus on what matters most.
Gather essential documents such as financial records, property details, and child-related information before meetings and filings. Organized materials save time, reduce back-and-forth, and help you present a clear picture to your counsel and the court. Maintain copies in a secure location and share only what is necessary for the case. Knowing what to expect makes the process more predictable and less stressful.
Always consider how decisions affect a child’s well‑being, stability, and routine. Prioritize consistent schedules, safe environments, and access to support services if needed. By keeping the child’s needs at the center of discussions, you can craft remedies and arrangements that promote health and security for everyone involved.
If your situation involves complex family dynamics, significant assets, or ongoing co‑parenting challenges, this service helps you approach the matter with structure and care. Our team emphasizes practical planning, respectful negotiation, and careful documentation to protect your rights while maintaining child-centered priorities. You gain a clearer sense of direction and a plan that can adapt to evolving circumstances.
Additionally, seeking guidance early often improves communication with the other party and the court. With experienced support, you can reduce uncertainty, manage expectations, and pursue durable outcomes that reflect your family’s values and needs. Our goal is to provide steady guidance that supports stability, safety, and long-term well-being for all involved.
This service is commonly needed during divorce, child custody disputes, adjustments to parenting plans, or when significant assets and debts must be divided. It is also valuable when there is a need to address modifications in parenting time due to changes in circumstances. In these scenarios, clear guidance, careful planning, and timely filings help protect interests and support stable transitions for families.
Marriage dissolution involves equitable division of assets and debts, determining ongoing financial responsibilities, and establishing a framework for parenting after separation. Clients benefit from a structured approach that identifies goals, documents financial disclosures, and supports agreements that protect the well-being of children while preserving financial stability for both parties.
Custody disputes focus on the child’s best interests and stable routines. A thoughtful plan considers living arrangements, school needs, medical care, and contact with each parent. Through negotiation, mediation, or court action, a clear schedule and decision-making structure can reduce conflict and promote healthy development for the child.
Asset and debt division requires careful disclosure, valuation, and allocation decisions. The process seeks a fair arrangement based on contributions, needs, and future financial prospects. Thorough preparation helps prevent disputes and supports a practical plan that can endure through future changes in circumstances.
Our team is devoted to guiding families through challenging times with empathy, clarity, and practical advice. We listen to your concerns, explain options in plain language, and coordinate the steps needed to move forward. You can expect respectful, client‑centered service, responsive communication, and a steady effort to achieve outcomes that support your family’s safety and stability.
Choosing our firm means partnering with a team that understands the local court landscape, scheduling realities, and the practical aspects of family matters in Homer Glen. We focus on clear explanations, collaborative problem solving when possible, and thorough preparation of filings and agreements that protect your rights and your family’s future.
Our approach emphasizes listening, planning, and steady communication. We work to minimize unnecessary conflict, help you explore reasonable solutions, and ensure you are informed about each step. With experience handling similar cases in Will County, we are prepared to support you with thoughtful advocacy and dependable guidance.
If you want a practical, compassionate partner to navigate the complexities of family law in this region, we invite you to contact us for a confidential consultation. We can discuss your goals, explain potential paths, and outline the best plan to protect your family’s well-being and financial security.
At our firm, the legal process begins with an initial consultation to understand your situation and priorities. We then prepare and file the necessary documents, communicate with the opposing party, and coordinate with the court as needed. Throughout, we provide regular updates, explain options in plain language, and adapt the strategy to evolving facts. Our aim is to move you toward a resolution that supports your family’s stability and long‑term goals.
The process starts with gathering information about your family, finances, and objectives. We review relevant documents, assess potential timelines, and outline available paths. This step sets the foundation for a clear plan, aligning expectations and preparing you for the filings, negotiations, and potential court proceedings that may follow.
Collecting financial records, custody histories, and any prior court orders helps create a comprehensive picture of your case. You will be asked to share documents that reflect income, debts, assets, and caregiving arrangements. Organized information supports accurate disclosures, reduces delays, and enables us to tailor strategies that fit your family’s needs.
With the information gathered, we develop a practical strategy that prioritizes your goals and the child’s best interests. We discuss potential settlements, negotiation approaches, and when to pursue mediation or court action. A clear plan helps you feel informed and prepared as the case moves forward.
Filing formal documents initiates the process, followed by negotiation with the other party or their counsel. We aim to achieve favorable terms while avoiding unnecessary disputes. If an agreement can be reached, we prepare a binding settlement. If not, we proceed to mediation or court hearings with a strong, well-documented position.
Pleadings establish the issues and relief sought, while proper service ensures the other party receives notice of the case. We ensure filings are accurate, timely, and complete, reducing the risk of procedural delays. This foundation supports subsequent negotiations and potential resolutions.
Discovery allows both sides to obtain information relevant to the case, including financial documents and parenting records. We manage this process efficiently, safeguard sensitive information, and prepare exhibits and testimony that clarify the facts for the court and facilitate informed decisions.
When necessary, court hearings address unresolved issues and result in orders that govern custody, support, and asset division. We prepare persuasive presentations, support strong evidence, and advocate for outcomes that align with your goals and the child’s best interests. After orders are issued, further steps may be needed to implement and adjust arrangements over time.
Mediation offers a constructive avenue to resolve disputes with the help of a neutral facilitator. It can shorten timelines, reduce costs, and preserve relationships. We prepare you to participate effectively, articulate your priorities, and document mutual agreements that are practical and enforceable.
After a hearing or order, there may be modifications based on changing circumstances. We guide you through the process of implementing changes, addressing enforcement concerns, and ensuring that parenting plans and financial arrangements remain aligned with current needs and legal requirements.
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.
The timeline for family law cases in Homer Glen varies based on complexity, court scheduling, and whether the parties reach agreement early. Simple matters may proceed more quickly, while cases with substantial assets, multiple children, or contested issues can extend several months or longer. Your attorney will help you understand expected milestones, provide ongoing status updates, and prepare you for each step so you can plan accordingly. It is important to maintain timely communication and respond to requests promptly.
Mediation can be a practical path for many families, but whether it is appropriate depends on the dynamics of your case. A lawyer can help you prepare, participate effectively, and ensure your rights are protected. In some situations, representation is advisable to navigate complex issues, ensure documents are accurate, and advocate for your child’s best interests. We tailor guidance to your circumstances and preferences.
Child support in Illinois is determined by a statutory framework that considers income, number of children, custody arrangements, and shared responsibilities. While guidelines provide a baseline, the court may adjust amounts to reflect special needs, medical costs, or deviations due to custody arrangements. An attorney helps you calculate likely ranges, review financial disclosures, and negotiate terms that meet your child’s needs while remaining fair to both parties.
For an initial consultation, bring identification, any existing court orders, financial documents such as pay stubs and tax returns, a list of debts and assets, and notes on parenting time or custody concerns. This information helps the attorney assess the case quickly and provide informed guidance. Even if you are gathering materials later, having a clear outline of your goals and questions is helpful.
Custody and parenting time orders can be modified if there is a substantial change in circumstances or if the current arrangement no longer serves the child’s best interests. A modification requires evidence and a clear plan, and sometimes a new agreement can be reached through negotiation or mediation. Our team supports you through the process, from gathering documentation to presenting a compelling case in court when needed.
Mediation focuses on collaborative problem solving with a neutral moderator, while litigation involves presenting issues to a judge for a decision. Mediation can be faster and less adversarial, but not all cases are suitable. We help you evaluate which path fits your goals, prepare for each step, and pursue outcomes that protect your family’s stability while reducing conflict where possible.
Asset division in an Illinois divorce follows an equitable distribution approach, considering each spouse’s contributions, needs, and the marriage’s duration. Debts, retirement accounts, real estate, and business interests are all evaluated. The process can be collaborative or judicial, depending on the circumstances. We help identify all assets and liabilities, value them accurately, and negotiate a fair, enforceable agreement.
If a spouse is uncooperative, you still have options. A lawyer can help you pursue necessary filings, enforce court orders, and seek remedies that protect your rights and the child’s welfare. While cooperation is ideal, steadfast advocacy and clear documentation often lead to timely resolutions and reduce unnecessary delays. We guide you through the steps and maintain focus on practical outcomes.
Not every family law matter goes to trial. Many cases are resolved through negotiation, mediation, or a structured agreement. A trial is typically a longer process with greater costs, so we explore settlement possibilities first and prepare thoroughly for court only if needed. Our goal is to achieve a durable result that aligns with your priorities while minimizing disruption to your family.
Our firm offers comprehensive support for complex family matters in Will County, including financial analysis, custody planning, and coordinated communication with all parties involved. We tailor services to your needs, ensuring thorough preparation, prompt responses, and steady guidance. If your case requires coordination with multiple professionals, we coordinate seamlessly to keep the process moving toward a practical and stable resolution.