Start with the question you are facing.
Can my spouse help pay my divorce lawyer?
Interim fees, initial retainers, access to assets and preparing to discuss costs.
Read the guide ↗VARIABLE INCOMEHow do bonuses and commissions affect support?
Compensation histories, payment timing and terms that account for uneven income.
Read the guide ↗FINANCIAL CHECKLISTWhich financial records should I gather?
Organize income, accounts, business interests, retirement, property and missing information.
Read the guide ↗INHERITED ASSETSIs my inheritance divided in divorce?
Joint accounts, inherited down payments, investment growth and the records needed to trace separate property.
Read the guide ↗RETIREMENTWhat happens to my 401(k), IRA or pension?
Premarital balances, division orders, taxes and the tradeoff between retirement savings and keeping the home.
Read the guide ↗FINANCIAL QUESTIONSIs my spouse hiding assets?
Organize unexplained transfers, missing accounts and income discrepancies. Understand records, discovery and when prompt action may be needed.
Read the guide ↗YOUR FIRST CONVERSATIONQuestions to ask a divorce lawyer after 50
Communication, fees, financial uncertainty and understanding your choices. A practical meeting agenda.
Prepare your questions ↗LONG MARRIAGESDivorce after 50
Retirement, maintenance, the home and preparing for a conversation about your financial future.
Read the guide ↗PRACTICAL GUIDEServed with divorce papers
Start with the papers, the service date and any upcoming hearing. This guide helps Chicago-area spouses organize the next conversation with a lawyer without overlooking an urgent deadline.
Read the guide ↗PRACTICAL GUIDEWhen your spouse controls the money
Money for bills, access to records and retaining a lawyer: start with your immediate needs and the information you have.
Read the guide ↗PRACTICAL GUIDECan I keep the house after divorce?
A concrete buyout example, mortgage options, monthly costs and the impact of inherited funds or a retirement tradeoff.
Read the guide ↗PRACTICAL GUIDEWorking toward an agreed divorce
Agreeing that the marriage should end is a starting point. A workable resolution also addresses the money, children, documents and practical steps needed to carry out the agreement.
Read the guide ↗CHECKLISTDivorce preparation checklist
A practical starting point for Chicago-area spouses considering divorce or responding to a filed case. Use what applies to you. You do not need to finish this checklist before asking for help.
Read the guide ↗Questions about income, businesses and stock awards
Illinois law, with local procedure in mind.
These guides distinguish statewide Illinois rules from Cook County procedures. Charles M. Wright practices at Beermann LLP in Chicago and handles family-law matters in Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, Kendall and Kane Counties. Court procedures and existing orders can affect the next step in your case.
Use the county resource pages for local court links and before our first conversation for questions about contacting the team. You do not need to have decided to divorce or assembled every record before requesting a conversation.