An Illinois divorce Marital Settlement Agreement is a written legal document that defines ...............
» how marital property is to be divided between divorcing spouses,
» how marital debts will be divided between divorcing spouses,
» spousal maintenance (alimony),
» child custody,
» visitation with the children, and
» child support (when and how much).
The Marital Settlement Agreement becomes a part of the Illinois divorce court’s Order for Dissolution of Marriage.
Divorcing spouses are legally bound to the terms of the Illinois Marital Settlement Agreement.
If you violate the terms of the Marital Settlement Agreement, the Illinois divorce court may hold you in contempt of court, and/or limit any rights you have under the Marital Settlement Agreement.
The Marital Settlement Agreement is very important, and you should follow its terms strictly.
Following are the usual steps involved in creating an Illinois Marital Settlement Agreement ...............
1. The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed by one of the spouses.
2. The other spouse files an Answer to the Petition.
3. Each party speaks with their respective Illinois divorce lawyer about what they would reasonably like to achieve through the Marital Settlement Agreement.
4. The Chicago divorce attorneys confer with each other to determine which issues are in agreement and which issues are in conflict.
5. The Illinois divorce lawyers then seek to negotiate an agreement concerning the issues that are in conflict.
6. The Chicago divorce lawyer who represnets the spouse who filed the Illinois divorce action writes a “first draft” of the Marital Settlement Agreement.
7. The Illinois divorce lawyers study the first draft of the Marital Settlement Agreement and then speak to their respective client about it.
8. The Illinois divorce attorneys then discuss any changes that are necessary.
9. The final version of the Marital Settlement Agreement is created, and each spouse signs it.
10. The Marital Settlement Agreement is presented to the Illinois divorce court for approval.
11. If the Illinois divorce court judge approves the Marital Settlement Agreement, the judge makes the Agreement part of the Order for Dissolution of Marriage.
The Marital Settlement Agreement is perhaps the most important part of an Illinois divorce. You should only work with a Chicago, Illinois divorce attorney who has skillfully negotiated and prepared numerous Marital Settlement Agreements. The Cook County and Lake County divorce lawyer of Sylvester Law Firm has such experience.
The Chicago divorce attorney of Sylvester Law Firm invites you to call him at (847) 251 – 2999 or e-mail him at pss@SylvesterLawFirm.com to get answers to your important questions related to Illinois Divorce, Marital Settlement Agreements and Family Law.
