DuPage County Uncontested Divorce Lawyer

Attorney for Amicable Divorce Cases in Wheaton, Naperville and Downers Grove

If you are considering a divorce, you might assume that the process will be unavoidably filled with bitterness, anger, and contentiousness between you and your spouse. While some divorces do follow that path, yours does not need to end up that way. It is possible to end a marriage in a manner that allows both spouses to feel respected, valued, and heard.

I am Attorney Matthew M. Williams of the The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. in Aurora, Illinois. I understand that the way that your divorce is handled will set the tone for your post-divorce life. Throughout my career, I have helped many clients through the process of uncontested divorce, affording them the chance to move on with their lives sooner and at less cost compared to traditional divorce litigation.

What Is an Uncontested Divorce?

There are two ways to interpret the term "uncontested divorce." The first way is to describe a situation where you file your divorce petition but your spouse refuses or otherwise fails to respond. Your spouse is not formally contesting the divorce, but he or she is not participating in the process at all. Such a situation could result in a default judgment of divorce being entered by the court.

The second interpretation is the more common and better-understood interpretation, and it describes a scenario in which you and your spouse have reached an agreement on most of the important issues related to your divorce before going to court. An uncontested divorce, in this context, means that there are very few, if any, concerns that must be addressed, and the spouses are open to resolving the remaining issues in a cooperative manner.

As in any divorce case, your uncontested divorce must give consideration to:

• Identification, evaluation, and division of marital property
• Maintenance, also called spousal support or alimony
• Parenting plans to address parental responsibilities and parenting time
• Child support and other expenses for your children
• Attorneys' fees and court costs
• Any other pertinent details

Uncontested Divorce Counsel in DuPage County

It is understandable that you might be thinking about skipping the costs associated with hiring an attorney, especially if you and your spouse have worked out most of the details of your case. Illinois law does not require you to hire a lawyer for your divorce, but I do not recommend trying to handle your divorce on your own. The laws that govern the divorce process can be complicated, and it is very easy to make a mistake. Even a minor error could result in many thousands of dollars in unnecessary support payments or lost assets or costly attorney fees to fix the error later, if that is even possible.

I have been practicing divorce and family law for more than 15 years, and I have a full understanding of how the law applies to divorce cases. I will help you and your spouse reach a common-sense agreement that resolves the relevant issues of your divorce. Along the way, I will assist you in identifying potential concerns before they can become major problems.

If you and your spouse have already reached an agreement, I can help you draft a settlement that can be presented to the court for approval, often for an affordable flat fee, starting at just $1,500 plus court costs for a divorce with no children. The rate is $2,000 plus court costs for a divorce that involves minor children. My flat rates include preparation of the divorce settlement and parenting plan, an initial revision, and all required legal filings. If there are still issues that you and your spouse need help resolving, your case might not qualify for flat-fee pricing, but I also offer reasonable retainers and flexible payment plans as part of my commitment to you.

Call 630-409-8184 for Guidance

For more information about uncontested divorce in Illinois, contact my office. Call 630-409-8184 for a confidential consultation at the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. today. I serve clients in DuPage County and the surrounding areas.