How Can An Expert Witness Be Used in Illinois Divorce Cases?

 Posted on January 26, 2021 in Divorce

Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of couples get divorced each year, with more than 20,000 divorces being granted to couples who are residents of the state of Illinois. Most of these divorces are not settled in a courtroom, but rather through negotiations between the individuals themselves or their attorneys. However, there are always certain situations in which avoiding the courtroom is impossible for one reason or another. Litigated divorces can become quite contentious and intense, especially if you and your partner disagree on important issues such as child-related concerns and financial matters. If you and your partner end up in front of a judge, you may find that testimony from an expert witness is an effective way of strengthening your case.

Expert Witnesses and Divorce Litigation

The role of an expert witness in any trial is to help the judge and the jury understand specific information that they otherwise would not be able to understand without a specialized education and/or background. In family law cases, expert testimony is not always needed and is not always permitted, either. If the judge determines that an expert witness is not necessary, he or she will not permit the witness’ testimony to be entered as evidence.

Most of the time, when an expert witness is called in a divorce case, it is because the witness has information to share about one of two things: the finances or the children.

• Finances: If you and your spouse have a complex financial portfolio, it could be beneficial to call an expert witness to speak on your behalf. An expert witness can provide clarity to information such as the current value of your business and the future value of your business.

• Child-Related Issues: If you and your partner disagree on the allocation of parenting time or decision-making responsibilities, the judge will then have to determine what type of arrangement would be in the child’s best interests. Sometimes, an expert witness, such as a child psychologist or therapist can be called to help explain difficult issues that your child may be experiencing, such as a sudden change in behavior patterns.

Discuss Your Case With Our Oswego Divorce Attorney

In many circumstances, you will not need an expert witness simply because you will not have to plead your case to a judge. However, if you are going through a litigated divorce and you anticipate having to take your case to court, you may need to call in an expert witness to help you round out your case. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we are able to help you determine whether or not an expert witness is needed and if it would be beneficial to your case. To schedule a consultation with our accomplished Kendall County divorce lawyer, call our office today at 630-409-8184.

Sources:

https://www.survivedivorce.com/expert-witness

http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Evidence/Evidence.htm