A conversation about what comes next
Charles M. Wright is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney at Beermann LLP, serving Wheaton 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 Wheaton. Contact the team to discuss meeting arrangements. When calling 312-621-9700, ask for Charles Wright.
Which county and court should I start with?
Wheaton 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.
Does living near the courthouse determine where I file?
Wheaton is in DuPage County, but proximity to a courthouse is not the test for divorce venue. Identify where each spouse resides and whether a case has already been filed. Use the county guide and official court resources to prepare questions, then confirm the filing location and any current appearance instructions with counsel. Do not assume every proceeding uses the same room or format.
What should I bring if my divorce is already underway?
Put the latest orders, next hearing notice and pending motions at the front of your file. Add a short list of unresolved issues and records already exchanged. Explain whether you are seeking initial advice or considering a change of lawyer. Requesting a conversation does not change counsel of record or suspend court deadlines; discuss those dates promptly.
How do I decide which settlement questions to raise first?
Start with the provisions that affect immediate housing, available money, parenting and dates for action. Then identify the longer-term obligations, such as retirement transfers or a property sale. Ask what happens if an expected event does not occur. A proposal should be understandable as a sequence of real obligations, not just a list of totals.
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.