Divorce Lawyers Serving Edwardsville and Madison County, Illinois

Edwardsville is the county seat of Madison County and an important part of the area served by our nearby Maryville office. Our attorneys represent individuals who live and work in Edwardsville and throughout Madison County in divorce and other domestic relations matters.

People searching for an Edwardsville divorce attorney, Edwardsville domestic relations lawyer, or Madison County divorce lawyer can face very different circumstances.

Some spouses agree on many of the issues involved in ending their marriage and may be able to resolve their divorce through negotiation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Other cases involve substantial disagreements regarding parenting time, allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, maintenance, property, businesses, retirement accounts, real estate, or other assets and debts.

Our attorneys handle both contested and uncontested divorce matters and can help clients understand the issues that may need to be resolved before a divorce can be completed.

Divorce and Domestic Relations Matters We Handle in Edwardsville and Madison County

A divorce can involve much more than legally ending a marriage. Depending on the circumstances, our attorneys can assist clients in Edwardsville, Maryville, and throughout Madison County with matters involving:

• Contested and uncontested divorce

• Parenting time

• Allocation of parental responsibilities

• Significant decision-making responsibilities

• Parenting plans

• Child support

• Spousal maintenance

• Division of marital property and debts

• High-asset and complex divorce

• Business and professional practice interests

• Retirement accounts and pensions

• Divorce mediation

• Collaborative divorce

• Post-divorce modification and enforcement matters

• Legal separation

• Name changes

Every divorce is different. The issues that are important in one Madison County divorce may be very different from those involved in another.

Madison County Divorce Court Resources for Edwardsville Residents

Divorce and domestic relations matters filed in Madison County are handled through the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois.

Because Edwardsville is the county seat of Madison County, individuals involved in divorce and domestic relations proceedings in the county may frequently have matters heard in Edwardsville.

The following official resources may be helpful:

• Madison County Circuit Clerk

• Madison County Civil Court Forms

• Madison County Government

• Illinois Courts

• Illinois Courts Self-Help Resources

• Illinois Standardized Court Forms

• Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act

These resources provide general information about Illinois courts and the Madison County court system. They are not a substitute for legal advice regarding the particular circumstances of an individual case.

Filing for Divorce in Edwardsville and Madison County, Illinois

Illinois refers to divorce as a dissolution of marriage. Illinois divorce law is governed primarily by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

A divorce proceeding generally begins when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The spouse filing the action is generally referred to as the petitioner, while the other spouse is the respondent.

Under Illinois law, a court may enter a judgment dissolving a marriage when irreconcilable differences have caused the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage and the applicable statutory requirements have been satisfied.

The current statutory requirements can be reviewed in 750 ILCS 5/401 through the Illinois General Assembly.

What Are the Residency Requirements for an Illinois Divorce?

Under Illinois law, one of the spouses generally must have been an Illinois resident, or stationed in Illinois while a member of the armed services, for at least 90 days before commencement of the action or the court’s finding.

Residence is not necessarily the same issue as determining the proper county in which a case should be filed. Individuals considering filing a divorce in Madison County should determine whether Madison County is the appropriate venue based upon their circumstances.

The current statutory language is available from the Illinois General Assembly.

Understanding the Madison County Divorce Process

Some Madison County divorces can be resolved through an agreement between the spouses. Other cases require discovery, negotiation, mediation, motion practice, or trial before disputed issues can be resolved.

Depending upon the circumstances, a divorce can require decisions regarding:

• Parenting time

• Allocation of parental responsibilities

• Significant decision-making responsibilities

• Child support

• Spousal maintenance

• Classification and division of marital and non-marital property

• Real estate

• Retirement benefits

• Business interests

• Allocation of debts

• Other financial and parenting issues

An experienced divorce attorney can help a client identify the issues that need to be addressed, gather relevant information, evaluate proposed agreements, negotiate disputed matters, and prepare contested issues for court when necessary.

Parenting Time and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities in Edwardsville Divorce Cases

When parents divorce or separate, decisions may need to be made concerning parenting time and allocation of parental responsibilities.

Illinois law addresses the allocation of significant decision-making responsibilities concerning important areas of a child’s life. Depending upon the circumstances, these can include decisions involving education, health, religion, and extracurricular activities.

Parenting time addresses when a child will be in each parent’s care.

When parents cannot agree, courts make determinations based upon statutory factors concerning the child’s best interests. The particular factors that apply depend upon the issue before the court and the facts of the case.

Our attorneys assist parents in Edwardsville, Maryville, and throughout Madison County with matters involving parenting time, parenting plans, allocation of parental responsibilities, significant decision-making responsibilities, relocation, and modifications of existing parenting arrangements.

You can learn more about our firm’s representation in these matters on our Madison County parenting time and allocation of parental responsibilities page.

The Illinois statutes concerning allocation of parental responsibilities can also be reviewed through the Illinois General Assembly.

Child Support in Edwardsville and Madison County

Child support can be another significant issue when parents divorce or live separately.

Illinois uses statutory guidelines to calculate child support. Depending upon the circumstances, the calculation can involve the incomes of both parents, the number of children, parenting arrangements, health insurance, childcare expenses, and other statutory considerations.

Our attorneys can help parents understand how Illinois child-support laws may apply to their circumstances.

Learn more about child support in Madison County.

The current Illinois child-support statute can also be reviewed at 750 ILCS 5/505 through the Illinois General Assembly.

Property Division in an Edwardsville Divorce

Property division can be one of the most significant financial issues in an Illinois divorce.

Illinois follows the principle of equitable distribution when dividing marital property. Equitable distribution does not necessarily mean that every marital asset and debt will automatically be divided equally.

An important part of the process can involve determining whether property is marital or non-marital. Assets can include:

• A marital residence

• Other real estate

• Bank and investment accounts

• Retirement accounts

• Pensions

• Business interests

• Professional practices

• Vehicles

• Personal property

• Other investments and assets

Debts may also need to be identified and allocated.

Divorces involving businesses, substantial investments, retirement assets, real estate, or other significant property can present additional valuation and classification issues.

Learn more about property division in an Illinois divorce.

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act can be reviewed through the Illinois General Assembly.

Spousal Maintenance in Madison County Divorce Cases

Spousal maintenance, sometimes referred to as alimony, may be an issue in an Illinois divorce.

Whether maintenance is appropriate can depend upon numerous statutory factors and the circumstances of the marriage. If maintenance is awarded, Illinois law contains additional provisions addressing the amount and duration of maintenance.

Maintenance laws and formulas can change. Individuals researching maintenance should therefore be cautious about relying on old articles, calculators, or formulas found online.

The current Illinois maintenance statute can be reviewed at 750 ILCS 5/504 through the Illinois General Assembly.

High-Asset and Complex Divorce in Edwardsville and Madison County

Some divorce cases involve financial circumstances that require additional analysis.

A complex divorce can involve:

• Closely held businesses

• Professional practices

• Multiple pieces of real estate

• Investment accounts

• Retirement plans

• Pensions

• Stock or other ownership interests

• Executive compensation

• Significant debts

• Disputes over whether property is marital or non-marital

• Disagreements concerning the value of substantial assets

Financial records, tax returns, business documents, appraisals, valuations, and other evidence can become important in these cases.

Our divorce attorneys represent individuals in Edwardsville and throughout Madison County in both straightforward and complex dissolution proceedings.

Divorce Mediation in Madison County

Not every divorce dispute has to be decided through contested litigation.

Mediation can provide spouses with an opportunity to discuss disputed issues with the assistance of a neutral mediator. Depending upon the circumstances, mediation may help parties reach agreements concerning financial or parenting issues.

Learn more about divorce mediation.

Collaborative Divorce in Illinois

Some spouses may also consider collaborative divorce.

The collaborative process is designed to allow spouses and their attorneys to work toward resolving divorce-related issues outside of traditional courtroom litigation.

Collaborative divorce is not appropriate for every situation, but it may be an option for spouses who want to explore a negotiated resolution.

Learn more about mediation and collaborative divorce.

Legal Separation in Illinois

Some married individuals may want to live separately without immediately obtaining a dissolution of their marriage.

Illinois law provides a legal-separation procedure under certain circumstances. Legal separation and divorce are different legal proceedings, and the appropriate choice depends upon the individual’s circumstances and objectives.

Learn more about legal separation and divorce.

Name Changes Following an Illinois Divorce

An individual may seek restoration of a former or maiden name in connection with a divorce.

The judgment for dissolution can address restoration of a former name when the applicable requirements are met.

Learn more about name changes.

Why Work With Stange Law Firm for an Edwardsville or Madison County Divorce?

Stange Law Firm, PC is a multi-state divorce and domestic relations law firm. Our attorneys focus their practice on divorce and domestic relations matters.

That includes representation involving divorce, parenting time, allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, maintenance, property division, modifications, and other domestic relations proceedings.

Our Maryville office serves individuals from Edwardsville, Maryville, Glen Carbon, Collinsville, Troy, Alton, and communities throughout Madison County.

We understand that individuals going through a divorce can have significant concerns about their children, property, finances, and future. Our goal is to provide clients with information about their options and diligent representation throughout the legal process.

You can learn more about the lawyers at the firm by visiting our attorney profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Edwardsville, Illinois

Do your divorce lawyers represent people who live in Edwardsville?

Yes. Our office is located nearby in Maryville, Illinois, and our attorneys represent individuals from Edwardsville and throughout Madison County in divorce and domestic relations matters.

Where are divorce cases involving Edwardsville residents heard?

Divorce proceedings are handled through the Illinois circuit court system. When Madison County is the appropriate county for the proceeding, the case is handled through the Third Judicial Circuit.

Edwardsville is the county seat of Madison County.

Additional information is available through the Madison County Circuit Clerk.

Do I need a divorce lawyer whose office is physically located in Edwardsville?

No. Individuals can retain an appropriately licensed Illinois attorney who can represent them in Madison County.

Our nearby Maryville office represents clients from Edwardsville and other communities throughout Madison County.

Can your attorneys handle a contested divorce in Edwardsville?

Yes. Our attorneys represent individuals in both contested and uncontested divorce matters. Contested proceedings can involve disagreements regarding parenting time, allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, maintenance, property division, and other issues.

Can you help with parenting time and allocation of parental responsibilities?

Yes. Our attorneys assist parents with parenting time, allocation of parental responsibilities, significant decision-making responsibilities, parenting plans, relocation matters, and modifications of existing arrangements.

Learn more about parenting time and allocation of parental responsibilities in Madison County.

Can your attorneys handle a divorce involving significant assets or a business?

Our attorneys represent clients in complex divorce matters involving businesses, real estate, retirement accounts, investments, and other substantial assets.

The specific legal and financial issues involved depend upon the circumstances of the particular case.

Where can I find official Illinois divorce forms?

The Illinois Courts website provides approved forms and instructions relating to divorce, child support, and maintenance.

Where can I read the Illinois divorce statutes?

The Illinois General Assembly publishes the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act online.