Getting a divorce is a stressful and confusing time. Without knowing what to expect, you could end up in a lengthy court battle, and spend way more than you have to. If you are considering divorce, or the process has already started, check out the eight tips below that can help you get through it.

Unlike child support in Illinois, spousal maintenance is not awarded in every divorce case. A judge will weigh every case on its own merits and determine whether a need for maintenance exists. If you believe that you deserve spousal maintenance as part of your divorce, it is important to review some important factors to determine if you are eligible, and then explicitly ask the judge to consider awarding you spousal maintenance.

When considering divorce, you are likely thinking about how it could be a long process, and the many steps you will have to take throughout it. While the actions you take during divorce will depend on the specifics of your case, there are also some things that anyone considering divorce should do before they even file. The most important of these are listed below.

IN these days of social distancing and concerns about the COVID-19 virus, many judges in domestic relations and divorce courts are conducting hearings using ZOOM, FaceTime, or another form of virtual appearance.  You as the husband or wife, mother or father who is a party to the hearing will likely testify and you may, in fact, do so not in the courthouse but in your lawyer=s office or in your own home using ZOOM or numerous other platforms to allow you to participate without actually being in the room.

When spousal maintenance is awarded in an Illinois divorce case, one spouse is ordered to pay the other financial support once the divorce is finalized. Spousal maintenance is one of the most hotly contested aspects of divorce, and it is also very misunderstood. Some believe only men are ordered to pay maintenance, while others believe that they will receive payments forever. These are just two of the most common myths surrounding spousal maintenance. The truths behind them are included with the top six misconceptions below.

Nearly everyone has heard of a friend or family member that has gone through a nasty divorce. It can seem as though this is the only way to get a divorce, but that is not true. Uncontested divorces are those in which both parties agree to all terms of the divorce and they simply draft an agreement reflecting those terms. Couples often seek uncontested divorces because they allow the parties going through the process to do so with less stress in a shorter amount of time, and it also allows them to save money during the process.

Although the majority of divorce cases are settled before they enter litigation, the reality remains that many cases require a trial. If your divorce is headed to trial, it is normal to feel intimidated and overwhelmed by the prospect of going before a judge and stating your case. Still, there are certain things to remember that can help you feel confident throughout the length of the trial, and give you a better chance of a positive outcome.

Divorce forces you to think about your future, what you want it to look like, and how to protect and prepare yourself for it. While trying to place yourself in the best position possible once your divorce is finalized, you may try anything to keep your family home. The marital home is typically the biggest asset in any divorce and one that often both spouses wish to keep. Before you enter into a fight regarding the home, there are some very important questions you must ask yourself.

Prenuptial agreements are not tacky agreements as they were once thought. More and more people are entering into a prenuptial agreement before getting married to protect themselves in the event that they get divorced. Still, if you entered into a prenuptial agreement and are now worried that you signed away your rights, you can still take action. There are many ways to challenge a prenuptial agreement in Illinois and ask a judge to invalidate it.