A conversation about what comes next
Charles M. Wright is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney at Beermann LLP, serving Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest. Contact the team to discuss meeting arrangements. When calling 312-621-9700, ask for Charles Wright.
Which county and court should I start with?
Lake Forest is in Lake 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 should I organize if retirement is close?
Start with a timeline as well as a balance sheet. Identify expected retirement dates, pension payment choices, account statements and the cost of running two households. Mark which figures are estimates. A proposed settlement can look workable on paper while leaving a gap between today’s expenses and income that starts later. Bring those timing questions to the conversation before agreeing to an asset trade.
How can I compare keeping the home with other options?
Prepare two budgets: one for remaining in the home and one for a realistic alternative. Include property taxes, insurance, maintenance, debt payments and any funds needed for a buyout. List the records behind each figure so the discussion can distinguish current spending from a projection. Keeping a familiar home may matter deeply; the financial question is how that choice would work alongside retirement and accessible savings.
What if I have never managed the investments?
Write down the institutions and advisers you know, even if you do not have account numbers or balances. Note which records you can lawfully access and which are missing. Ask counsel to explain each proposed transfer in terms of ownership, access, risk and timing. An incomplete file is a starting point for identifying information, not a reason to put off getting advice.
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.