Orland Park Family Law Attorneys

Experienced Lawyers Assisting Clients with Family Legal Matters in Orland Park and Nearby Chicago Area Communities

Going through a divorce, a custody battle, or any family law issue is difficult. It’s emotional, it’s stressful, and it can feel completely overwhelming. You’re probably worried about your future, your children, your finances—everything. And on top of all that, you have to deal with the legal system, which can be confusing and intimidating, especially in Cook County and anywhere in the Chicagoland area.

At Pucher & Ranucci, we understand the weight of what you’re going through. We maintain a long history of assisting families in Orland Park and the surrounding areas as they navigate these complex issues. Our approach is centered on thorough preparation and a deep commitment to protecting your interests. We possess a comprehensive understanding of the relevant Illinois statutes and procedures, ensuring that we are prepared to represent you effectively in court and help you establish stability as you move toward your next chapter.

Our Approach to Comprehensive Family Law

We are a firm committed to handling a wide range of legal matters that impact the family unit. Our focus is always on achieving resolutions that serve the client’s long-term best interests, whether through meticulous negotiation or vigorous representation in litigation.

Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage

The end of a marriage brings significant challenges, from dividing marital property to establishing future financial support. We provide detailed guidance through every step of the dissolution process. This includes compiling an exhaustive accounting of all assets and debts, from retirement funds and investments to the family home. Our role is to ensure that the distribution of property is fair and equitable under Illinois law. Furthermore, we are dedicated to securing appropriate maintenance (alimony) arrangements, whether seeking support or defending against an unreasonable request. We commit to a full assessment of your unique financial circumstances to build a strong foundation for your post-divorce life.

Resolving Child-Related Issues

For parents, issues concerning children—parenting time, parental responsibilities, and child support—are often the most emotionally charged elements of any family law case. Our commitment is to the well-being of the children involved while vigorously defending the rights of the parent. We assist clients in developing Parenting Plans that detail decision-making authority and schedules for time spent with the children, always prepared to present your case clearly to the court when agreements cannot be reached.

Regarding child support, we possess the necessary command of Illinois guidelines to accurately calculate obligations. We consider all factors, including both parents’ incomes, healthcare costs, and extracurricular expenses, to ensure a correct and fair determination that upholds the child’s quality of life.

Familiarity with Local Courts

Successfully concluding a family law matter requires more than just a deep knowledge of the statutes; it requires familiarity with the local courts, judges, and practices that define the process in this region. Our primary geographic focus is Orland Park and the broader Chicago metropolitan area, including the courts throughout Cook County and neighboring jurisdictions. This local commitment allows us to conduct all necessary filings, appear in all relevant courtrooms, and anticipate procedural requirements. We handle your case with dedication to navigating the local system efficiently and effectively.

Moving Forward with Confidence

The uncertainty you feel today can be replaced by clarity tomorrow. Our goal is to lift the burden of the legal process from your shoulders so you can focus on rebuilding your life. By combining a comprehensive knowledge of family law with an unwavering commitment to your legal objectives, Pucher & Ranucci provides the devoted representation you need to secure a stable and sustainable future for yourself and your family. We are here to champion your rights and guide you toward a favorable resolution.

Understanding Family Law: What You Need to Know

Family law covers a lot of ground. Here are some of the key areas:

Divorce (aka “Dissolution of Marriage”)

Illinois refers to divorce as “dissolution of marriage,”. The good news is, you don’t need to prove your spouse did anything wrong to get divorced here. Illinois is a “no-fault” state. All that matters is that your marriage is broken beyond repair – what the law calls “irreconcilable differences.”

A divorce usually involves figuring out issues such as:

• Dividing Your Property: Illinois believes in dividing things fairly, but “fair” doesn’t always mean 50/50. It depends on your specific situation. Things you owned before the marriage, or got as gifts or inheritance, are usually considered separate property. Everything that is jointly owned by the two spouses (marital property) is divided equitably.
• Spousal Maintenance (Alimony): Sometimes, one spouse has to pay support to the other. In Illinois, this is referred to as “maintenance”. The court will look at how long you were married, how much each of you earns, and other factors to decide if support is needed, and for how long.
• Kids: If you have children, figuring out custody and child support will be the most important part of the process.

Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time

In Illinois, the terminology related to child custody and visitation has evolved. The state now uses the terms “parental responsibilities” and “parenting time” to describe these aspects of family law. This shift in language reflects a more modern approach to the allocation of parenting duties and the scheduling of time each parent spends with their children.

• Parental Responsibilities: This is about who makes the big decisions for your kids – things like school, healthcare, and religion. You can share these responsibilities, or one parent might have the final say.
• Parenting Time: This is simply the schedule of when each parent spends time with the kids.

The court’s top priority is always what’s best for your child. They’ll consider your child’s wishes (if they’re old enough), your relationship with your child, and any history of problems.

You’ll need a parenting plan – a detailed agreement about how you’ll raise your kids. If you and the other parent can’t agree, the court will create an allocation judgment. Things can get complicated if one parent tries to turn the child against the other (parental alienation) or wants to move far away (relocation). Sometimes, the court appoints a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) – a lawyer who looks out for your child’s interests.

Child Support

Illinois uses a formula called “income shares” to figure out child support. It considers both parents’ income and how much time each parent spends with the kids. Things that can change the amount include:

• Shared parenting (if each parent has the kids for at least 146 nights a year).
• Big medical bills.
• Childcare.
• Extracurriculars.

The court can order that support be taken directly out of someone’s paycheck (income withholding). If someone doesn’t pay, there are ways to enforce it. And if something major changes (like a job loss), you can ask the court to change (modify) the support order.

Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)

Spousal maintenance is money one spouse pays to the other after a divorce. The court looks at a lot of things to decide if it’s needed, how much, and for how long:

• How much each of you earns (and could earn).
• Your individual needs.
• How long you were married.
• Your lifestyle during the marriage.
• Your age and health.
• Did one of you help the other get an education or a better job?

Maintenance can be temporary, for a set period (like while someone goes back to school), or, in more limited cases, permanent.

Property Division

As we have discussed, the State of Illinois is an equitable distribution state. Many people are under the misconception that equitable means equal. The law states that marital property must be divided fairly. Many factors are considered when dividing assets, such as the length of the marriage, contributions of the parties, dissipation, etc. Property is classified into two categories: marital property and non-marital property.

The Legal Process: What Happens in Cook County

Knowing what to expect can make the whole legal process less overwhelming.

Filing for Divorce (Or Other Family Law Cases)

It all starts with filing paperwork (a petition) with the court. In Orland Park, your case will likely be at the Bridgeview Courthouse (Sixth Municipal District). The other person has to be officially notified (served) with the papers.

Discovery

This is where you and the other side gather information. It’s especially important if there’s a lot of money or property involved. You might use:

• Written questions (interrogatories) that the other person has to answer.
• Requests for documents like bank statements.
• Asking questions in person, under oath (depositions).

Being honest about your finances is absolutely essential. You’ll have to fill out a financial affidavit, which is a sworn statement of your income, expenses, assets, and debts. If someone isn’t cooperating, your lawyer can ask the court to force them (motion to compel).

Negotiation and Settlement

Most cases don’t go all the way to trial. Most people reach an agreement through negotiation. Your lawyers will talk, and you might try mediation (where a neutral person helps you work things out).

Trial (If Necessary)

If you absolutely can’t agree, you’ll go to trial. A judge (not a jury) will hear the evidence and make the decisions.

Post-Decree

After a Final Judgement has been entered, you may encounter issues that require you to go back to court. These matters are commonly referred to as post-decree. These can include: enforcement, modifications, relocation, etc.