Contested Divorce Trial Lawyers Serving Chicago and Elmhurst Area
Experienced Divorce Attorneys Serving Those in Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties
When good faith negotiations fail, our law firm has the skills to resolve your case at trial. Many divorces are contested—meaning contentious—from beginning to end. Others may begin as an uncontested divorce, but along the way, turn into a contested divorce for reasons not foreseeable at the time of filing. In some cases, a contested divorce can benefit from mediation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or collaborative divorce efforts. A contested divorce is essentially one in which the spouses simply never reach a point of resolution and agree on how best to settle the issues related to their divorce. Many of these divorces end up in a courtroom with a judge making decisions for the couple. Those decisions can include the division of marital property and debts, parental responsibilities and child support, and spousal support (maintenance/alimony). When an Illinois divorce is contested, the spouses will go through numerous steps before the divorce is finalized. These steps include the following:
- Preparing, filing, and serving the divorce petition, including stating the grounds for the divorce;
- Allowing the spouse the time to respond to the petition;
- Engaging in discovery, or the information gathering process;
- Engaging in pretrial and case management conferences;
- Oral and evidentiary hearings;
- If negotiations fail, preparation for trial; and
- The final and appealable trial.
At all stages listed above, your attorney should be ready and attempting to negotiate resolution of your matter to avoid trial, even in contested matters, but at the same time preparing for trial and able to try your matter if it reaches that point.
Illinois Contested Divorces Require Time and Patience
The above is fairly simplistic but really when a divorce is hotly contested there can be months and months of discovery, including depositions, interrogatories and subpoenas for information that may be withheld or hidden. Motions and hearings can also go back and forth for an extended period of time until it becomes clear there will be no resolution of the divorce issues between the couple without a final trial. At this point, a trial date will be set, and the judge will make those decisions after listening to arguments by both attorneys regarding each spouse’s position on the issues. In many cases, lay witnesses and expert witnesses will be called on behalf of one or both spouses, and the trial itself can go on for an extended length of time.
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"I needed an attorney who would fight for me and also keep me focused, and Maxine had my back."Maxine was very professional and worked efficiently to complete our case. Highly recommend!- Gloria B.
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"As a client of WKO, I highly recommend Amanda Oliver."She has extensive experience to address family law issues efficiently and effectively. She is direct, informative, knowledgeable, resourceful and well-respected in the legal community. I love how she anticipates and mitigates potential issues, strategizes next steps, and keeps me informed along the way. If you have to go thru the divorce process, you want Amanda in your corner. HIGHLY recommend!- Angela L.
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"Divorce isn’t always easy but Maxine and her team at WKO make it so."Maxine and her team have exceeded my expectations. Focused on the family and doing the right thing for everyone involved. Most importantly, my children. I’m deeply grateful for her efforts.- Stephen G.
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"I am so glad I chose Amanda & her team."I highly recommend Amanda Oliver & her team at Weiss-Kunz & Oliver. Everyone I dealt with was professional, empathetic & compassionate. They make their clients their priority. Their fee structure was fair & very transparent.- Amy S.
A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.
Get the Help You Need for Your Illinois Contested Divorce
We excel at handling cases involving high net worth, including the division of such assets as real estate, trusts, retirement benefits, and businesses. Attorney Maxine Weiss Kunz was a senior attorney at one of the top family law firms in Chicago before leaving to found Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC. She now offers that same large firm experience and savvy, coupled with small firm personal attention.
Maxine Weiss Kunz is also a Super Lawyers Rising Star and has successfully negotiated cases against some of the largest firms in the Chicagoland area. For personalized client attention during your contested divorce, contact Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC.
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Mediation & Collaborative Law ExperienceOur attorneys are committed to helping clients explore alternate dispute resolution options, as we believe it empowers individuals to maintain control over the outcome of their case. This collaborative approach not only reduces conflict but often leads to more satisfying and lasting resolutions, ensuring our clients are happier with both the process and the result.
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Boutique Feel, High-Level ExperienceWe provide a tailored, deeply personal approach to family law, combining years of high-level experience with a commitment to understanding your specific needs. Our goal is to guide you through every stage of divorce with empathy, ensuring your family’s future is protected and your peace of mind restored.
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Personalized Service, Exceptional ValueWe pride ourselves on offering the same high level of expertise and experience as other boutique family law firms in downtown Chicago, Park Ridge, and Elmhurst. Our commitment to providing clients with more reasonable fees and direct access to the founding members of our firm, ensuring personalized attention and a deep, hands-on approach to each case.
