Maintenance & Spousal Support Lawyers in Chicago
Dependable Counsel from Trusted Chicago Divorce Lawyers
Maintenance, or alimony as it is commonly known, is often one of the most contested determinations in a divorce. Maintenance is ordered when one spouse will need financial support following the divorce for a number of reasons. Where couples are unable to agree to a maintenance award, the court has broad discretion in how it structures support.
If you are facing a divorce and are concerned about your maintenance determination, we invite you to contact our dedicated Chicago divorce attorneys at Kogut & Wilson, L.L.C. today. We have decades of combined experience in this practice area and know what it takes to assert our clients best interests both in and outside the courtroom.
Do not face this intimidating process without a proven advocate in your corner. Fill out our online form to request a consultation today.
What Determines Maintenance?
Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, maintenance is determined by looking at the incomes of the spouses, as well as less quantifiable factors. Judges have a formula which they can choose to use when calculating monthly alimony payments and guidelines to follow when assessing whether the couple’s circumstances require special considerations.
Note here that the keyword is “choose.” Judges still have the authority to make their own determinations about a couple’s circumstances and are free to deviate from the formula/guidelines when they believe that doing so will allow for a fair determination.
The factors the court considers when determining maintenance include:
- Each spouse’s income
- Each spouse’s property
- Each spouse’s capacity to earn income
- The duration of the marriage
- The standard of living spouses enjoyed during the marriage
- The specific needs of each spouse
- The health of each spouse
At our firm, we know that a careful and thorough approach is necessary to asserting a client’s best interests in these matters. Over the years, our Chicago family lawyers have developed a comprehensive strategy to analyze income, cash flow, and assets of the involved parties and evaluating their lifestyles in order to argue for fair and sustainable maintenance rulings. Whether you are a higher-earning or a dependent spouse in your marriage, Kogut & Wilson, L.L.C. is ready to help ensure a stable financial future following your divorce.
Want to learn more about what our firm can do for you during this uncertain time? Call us at (312) 565-4100 today.
