Lake County Child Support Attorney

Waukegan Spousal Support Lawyer

Child support and spousal maintenance are determined by a number of factors. In the state of Illinois, child support is calculated according to a formula determined by the legislature. In the case of spousal maintenance or alimony, the court takes into account the length of a marriage, the income of both spouses, their educational background, earning potential, contribution to the other spouse's education, and other factors. In each case, support is governed by financial concerns that can increase or decrease the amount owed. At  Schlesinger & Strauss, LLC, we explain how child and spousal support are calculated. In cases where back child support or spousal maintenance is owed, our divorce attorneys initiate legal action to collect support arrearages. While each case is different, the court may garnish wages, suspend driving privileges, or find a way to seize assets. In some cases, a jail sentence may be imposed.

If you have questions about support payments and how each is calculated, contact Libertyville child support lawyers at Schlesinger & Strauss, LLC, today to schedule an appointment and discuss your case.

Spousal Support / Alimony

There are, in general, two kinds of spousal support: temporary and permanent. Temporary spousal support is before the divorce. Beyond the divorce, there may be long-term, short-term, or permanent support, depending on your circumstances. The legislature has stated that the goal of support is for both spouses to be self-supporting. However, this is often not possible. As a result, the higher income spouse will frequently pay alimony to the other spouse. Generally, spousal support terminates when the recipient remarries or cohabits with another person.

usually ordered in order to help a former spouse establish themselves and get back on their feet, especially if he or she stayed at home and was the primary caregiver of a couple's children. However, temporary support can be ordered for other reasons as well. It often terminates when the recipient re-marries or cohabitates with another person.

Permanent alimony is usually awarded when a marriage has lasted more than 15 years. In some cases, it may be awarded if the recipient is financially dependent on his or her spouse. While there is no formula per se, the court will look at a number of financial factors when determining spousal support. Like other aspects of a divorce settlement, it can be modified for various reasons.

Child Support

Child support is intended to meet some of the expenses of a child. As such, it is not optional nor should it be considered as an award to the custodial parent or punitive. In Illinois, child support terminates when a child reaches the age of 18 or graduates high school - whichever is later - but not beyond age 19. There are provisions to support children beyond age 19 for the purposes of college education or if a child is mentally or physically disabled. Child support may be modified if there is a substantial change in circumstances which includes an increase or decrease in income. If a support-paying parent falls behind on child support payments - or suddenly stops paying altogether - hiring an attorney can expedite certain legal remedies used to collect back-due child support.

Contact Our Lake County, Illinois Child Support Lawyers Today

If you are facing divorce or have already been served with papers, contact Libertyville child support lawyers at Schlesinger & Strauss, LLC, today. We can evaluate your situation and help you understand how child support or spousal support will likely be determined in your divorce.