A conversation about what comes next
Charles M. Wright is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney at Beermann LLP, serving Glen Ellyn 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 Glen Ellyn. Contact the team to discuss meeting arrangements. When calling 312-621-9700, ask for Charles Wright.
Which county and court should I start with?
Glen Ellyn is in DuPage County. 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.
For an existing case, use the county, case number, hearing notice and orders on your papers. Confirm the assigned courtroom, appearance method and any current instructions before a hearing.
What if I have been out of the workforce?
Bring a short employment history, current qualifications and any realistic training or childcare needs. Identify income you currently receive and essential monthly expenses. You do not need to promise a particular job or earnings level before seeking advice. Ask how employment plans, financial needs and the available records fit into the support discussion in your circumstances.
How can I organize expenses without a perfect spreadsheet?
Use categories you recognize: housing, transportation, food, healthcare, children and debt payments. Mark whether each number comes from a bill, an account statement or an estimate. Add annual expenses separately rather than losing them in a typical month. A simple, accurate starting list is more useful than a polished budget built on numbers you cannot explain.
What should I ask about how the lawyer will communicate?
Ask who will handle routine questions, how documents should be delivered, how fees are explained and how you will learn about decisions requiring a response. Tell the lawyer if you need proposals walked through in plain language. Before representation begins, discuss the scope of work and communication arrangements so you understand what the next step will involve.
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.