When a marriage or relationship ends, two of the most important financial questions parents face are child support and spousal maintenance. These payments shape a family's future, and getting them right matters for everyone involved.
In Illinois, child support follows a straightforward principle: both parents are responsible for supporting their children, and the law uses an income shares model that looks at what the parents would have spent on the children if the family had stayed together.
Courts begin with the combined net income of both parents, then apply a percentage based on the number of children. Each parent's share is proportional to their income, and the parent with less parenting time typically pays support to the other. The goal is to keep the children's standard of living stable, whether they spend most of their time in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, or anywhere else in the greater Chicago area.
Maintenance, sometimes called alimony, is separate from child support. It is meant to help a spouse who earns less to become self-supporting. Illinois uses a formula for most cases, but judges have discretion to deviate when the formula would be unfair. In higher-asset cases, the real challenge is often uncovering all of the marital property before a fair support amount can be set.
We represented a wife and mother of two whose husband tried to hide nearly $560,000 in retirement accounts at Fidelity and BlackRock. Through careful discovery and subpoenas across multiple accounts, we uncovered the hidden assets. Once they came to light, the husband was forced to settle and pay maintenance of close to $4,000 per month for five years. This outcome was the result of diligent investigation, not luck.
Every family's situation is different, and the right strategy depends on your specific circumstances. An experienced child support lawyer or family law firm can help you understand what you are entitled to and protect your interests.
Our firm assists parents and spouses throughout the region, including Palos Hills, Lemont, La Grange, Mokena, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Burr Ridge, Oak Brook, Naperville, Darien, Westmont, Hinsdale, Lisle, Western Springs, and Willow Springs.
If you have questions about child support, maintenance, or protecting your financial future, contact our office today.