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
to get answers to your important questions related to Illinois Divorce,
Marital Settlement Agreements and Family Law.