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Arlington Heights Divorce Lawyer

Your marriage has come to an end, and you’re going through divorce. You have a lot on your plate. Important decisions must be made that could impact the rest of your life and your family’s wellbeing. You need experienced Arlington Heights divorce lawyer Roger Stelk on your side to help you navigate this journey successfully.

With over 30 years of experience guiding couples through divorce in Illinois, Roger can help you achieve your goals, ensuring that your rights and best interests are protected. 

Our law firm can guide you through matters involving:

  • Property Division
  • Child support
  • Child custody and visitation
  • Spousal maintenance

Hire divorce attorney Roger Stelk to handle the court system, so you can focus on what matters most – your family and moving forward.

Contact Us Online, or Call (847) 506-7330 to request your consultation.

 

Why Choose Illinois Divorce Lawyer Roger Stelk?


Roger Stelk understands that divorce and family law matters bring numerous obstacles, questions, and concerns that will impact the rest of clients’ lives. Mr. Stelk is dedicated to providing the highest quality legal services in a professional, personal, and comfortable atmosphere. 

Our divorce and family law firm emphasizes:

Helping Families Move Forward

You can trust our family law firm to protect your rights and your family’s best interests. We will work to achieve a sustainable solution, so you can make a successful transition to your new life. 

Educating Clients to Make Informed Decisions

Divorce lawyer Roger Stelk believes in educating clients about divorce proceedings. He takes the time to answer your questions, to dispel myths, and alleviate your concerns. Roger will work with you to help you understand your legal options and put you in the best position to make informed decisions about your case, and your future. 

Achieving Favorable Resolutions

Working within the circumstances of your family dynamics and goals, Arlington Heights divorce attorney Roger Stelk will help you achieve a favorable and swift resolution for your legal issues, helping you meet your short-term and long-term needs and goals. 

Call Divorce lawyer Roger Stelk at (847) 506-7330 or contact us to arrange a free consultation. Let’s discuss your case and how best to proceed.

Meet Arlington Heights Divorce Lawyer Roger Stelk


Chicago attorney Roger Stelk

Experienced divorce lawyer Roger Stelk has been guiding the people of Illinois through family law matters for more than 30 years. 

Located in Arlington Heights, our law firm serves clients in:

  • Cook County
  • The Northwest suburbs of Chicago
  • Northern Illinois

Call (847) 506-7330 for a free consultation.

Guiding You Through the Illinois Divorce Process


Known as a dissolution of marriage under Illinois law, divorce is the legal process that ends a marital relationship. Divorce judgments will contain information regarding matters such as the division of marital property, the payment of alimony, the handling of child custody and visitation, and parental responsibilities like decision-making and the payment of child support

With so much on the line in divorce cases, it’s important to have an experienced divorce lawyer on your side. Divorce attorney Roger Stelk will help you navigate the divorce proceedings, including filing for divorce, assisting with mediation, and negotiating to resolve financial issues, parenting time and parental responsibilities, and more.

Filing for Dissolution of Marriage

The first step in legally ending a marriage is to file a divorce petition with the appropriate Illinois court. In the petition, you will include your grounds for divorce. As a no-fault divorce state, Illinois allows you to list irreconcilable differences as the reason for your petition. As such, you assert that your efforts to reconcile have been unsuccessful, and any further attempts to save the marriage would not serve your family’s best interests.

Through negotiations or trial, Arlington Heights divorce lawyer Roger Stelk will help you present arguments on each of the involved matters in your case. This includes, but is not limited to, the division of your shared assets and whether to award alimony, your parenting plan, and other family and financial issues. If you settle the issues outside of court, however, you will still need a judge to grant a final judgment.

Achieving a Fair Division of Marital Property

A substantial determination that must be entered into a divorce agreement is the division of marital property and debts. Often, the handling of this issue is an emotional process, and other than child custody issues, it causes the most strife for couples as they work through a divorce.

For the purposes of a divorce, marital property includes the assets a couple amass over the course of their marriage, such as bank accounts, retirement accounts, cars, and real estate. Exceptions exist for certain gifts, inheritances, and assets addressed through a premarital agreement.

How is Property Divided in Illinois?

There is a common misconception that property acquired during the course of the marriage is simply split 50/50 with each spouse getting an equal share. While each spouse has an equal right to shared assets, Illinois law requires that the property be divided fairly and equitably. To determine a fair and equitable split, Arlington Heights divorce lawyers and the court will consider factors such as:

  • The duration of the marriage
  • The financial and other contributions made by each spouse during the marriage
  • The financial circumstances of each spouse
  • The future earning potential of both parties

Dividing Marital Debts

The same standards generally apply to marital debts, as well. Owed balances incurred during the course of the marriage will typically be split up between spouses, making each responsible for paying off the debts assigned to him or her.

Receiving Spousal Support

Either spouse may ask for spousal support in the divorce petition or answer. Based on certain factors and criteria, the court will determine if spousal support is appropriate, calculate a payment amount, and order a payment duration.

Family law judges do not take marital misconduct, such as infidelity or domestic violence, into account when making decisions regarding spousal support awards in Arlington Heights. The court will, however, review issues such as the financial stability and earning potential of each spouse, each spouse’s needs, and decisions regarding parenting time and responsibility to decide the appropriateness of a spousal support award.

How Does the Court Calculate Spousal Support Awards?

The determination of spousal support awards in Illinois follows a formula using the incomes of both spouses. The formula subtracts 25% of the recipient’s income from 33% of the payer’s income. Spousal support awards cannot exceed 40% of the divorcing couple’s combined income.

How Does the Court Determine the Duration for Spousal Maintenance Awards?

The duration of the marriage determines the payment period for spousal support. Illinois family law specifies percentages which, multiplied by the length of the marriage, provide the duration for maintenance awards. A marriage of 20 years or more may entitle a spouse to indefinite payments or payment for 100% of the length of the marriage. 

Consult with a divorce attorney to learn more about whether you might have entitlement to receive spousal support and the length of time you can expect to receive such payments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Divorce


Do we need a Divorce attorney if we agree on everything?

Even if you agree on all the involved issues, the settlement of your divorce case may have important and lasting consequences. Although people in Arlington Heights and other nearby cities are not required to hire divorce attorneys to end their marriages, doing so is recommended. Divorce lawyers will help you understand your legal options, look out for your rights, and protect your best interests. In divorce cases that are highly contested, divorce lawyers are vital.

How long will the divorce process take?

The time it will take to finalize your divorce will depend on several factors, These include, but are not limited to, whether your case is contested or you are proceeding with an uncontested divorce. If you reach swift resolutions on the involved issues, divorce lawyers may be able to help you settle your case in about a month. Should you have contested issues and a more complex case, it may take up to two years or more. 

How much will a divorce cost?

When you file a petition for divorce, you will have to pay filing and service fees. Depending on the county in which you reside and file, these are typically about $300. The cost of legal representation may vary based on whether your case is uncontested, mediated, or contested. The attorney’s rates, time required, and experts consulted in your case will also play a role in the cost of your divorce.

Does Illinois have residency requirements for Divorce filings?

Illinois law requires at least one spouse to have maintained residence in the state for at least the past 90 days before filing for divorce. Further, the court will only make decisions on matters involving your children, custody and visitation, if they have resided in the state for at least the past six months.

Learn More About Divorce in Illinois


Financial Planning: How to Make a Divorce Easy in Arlington Heights, Illinois

Financial planning steps, such as opening your own bank and credit card accounts and making an inventory of all marital and non-marital property, can streamline a divorce in Arlington Heights, IL.

Who Gets the House in a Divorce?

Who gets the house in a divorce depends on factors such as who wants it, the spouse’s capacity to pay the mortgage, the terms of the divorce, and each spouse’s investment in the house.

What Is a Default Judgment of Divorce in Illinois?

A default judgment of divorce can be granted if not all parties appear in court or respond to the petition for divorce.

What to Expect at an Uncontested Divorce Hearing

Knowing what to expect at an uncontested divorce hearing may help you determine if that filing is the right path for your situation.

What Type of Family Law Attorney Do You Need?


At The Law Offices of Roger W. Stelk, we represent clients in all aspects of family law and marital dissolution, including:

For a free consultation with a divorce attorney in Illinois, call (847) 506-7330 or contact us. Located in Arlington Heights, our family law firm also serves clients in Palatine, Buffalo Grove, and other areas in Cook County, the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, and Northern Illinois.

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