A conversation about what comes next
Charles M. Wright is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney at Beermann LLP, serving Deerfield residents. Start with the questions that matter to you: the home, finances, parenting, or what life could look like after a long marriage. You do not need a complete file before asking for a conversation.
Charles’s listed office is at 161 N. Clark St., Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60601. This is a service-area page, not a claim of an office in Deerfield. Contact the team to discuss meeting arrangements. When calling 312-621-9700, ask for Charles Wright.
Which county and court should I start with?
Deerfield includes territory in Lake and Cook counties. Official local geography reference.
Illinois generally places a divorce proceeding in the county where either spouse resides, with a statutory process for seeking a waiver if neither resides in the chosen county. Discuss venue before filing; a town name or an attorney’s office address does not settle that question. 750 ILCS 5/104.
- Lake County preparation guide · Lake County divorce resources
- Cook County preparation guide · Cook County Domestic Relations FAQ
For an existing case, use the county, case number, hearing notice and orders on your papers. Confirm the assigned courtroom and appearance method. In Cook County, domestic-relations matters may be assigned downtown or to a suburban location; do not assume the nearest courthouse is the correct one.
Does a Deerfield address tell me which court to use?
Deerfield includes parts of Lake and Cook counties. Identify the county of each spouse’s residence and bring any filed papers. A postal address or a nearby courthouse is not enough to determine the proper filing location. If a case already exists, start with the county and case number on the papers; discuss any venue question before trying to start a second case elsewhere.
What if household income includes several kinds of compensation?
Make an inventory of salary, commissions, bonuses, equity awards and other income sources. Keep expected future payments separate from money already received. Bring the available agreements as well as pay records, and note any anticipated job change. This gives counsel a basis to ask about timing, restrictions and missing information without treating every item as interchangeable cash.
What should I ask about support after time away from work?
Describe your employment history, time devoted to the household, current expenses and any plans to return to work or change hours. Ask how maintenance would be evaluated in your particular circumstances. Do not build a budget around an assumed award before that analysis. The long-marriage guide offers questions about financial independence and retirement that can help organize the discussion.
How do I request a conversation?
Use the conversation request form to share contact information and names for the initial conflict check. Mention approaching deadlines. Save confidential records for the process the team provides, and discuss scope, fees and communication before representation begins. An inquiry does not establish an attorney-client relationship or extend a deadline.
For a useful starting agenda, use the divorce preparation checklist. You can also explore divorce after 50 or other communities served.