Yes, there are good options for hiring a low-cost divorce lawyer in Chicago. However, what will ultimately decide the cost of your divorce is less about the attorney’s fees and more about the complexity of your marital situation.
Regardless of their reasons for splitting us, couples often want to keep divorce proceedings as quick and cost-effective as possible. Hiring an attorney for your divorce can actually be one of the best ways to achieve these goals.
If you’re considering an uncontested divorce in Chicago or simply looking for an affordable option to handle a traditional, contested divorce, our team of professionals can help connect you with divorce attorneys in the area for one low monthly fee.
Give us a call today to learn more about our unique services. We’ll provide you with a free divorce consultation to discuss how we can help you save both time and money.
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Low-Cost Options for Divorce in Chicago, Illinois
As with any other legal process, a divorce has the potential to be expensive and time-consuming. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be. In fact, there are a few options in which a low-cost divorce might not be outside the realm of possibility.
File for Divorce Without the Assistance of an Attorney
Of course, one way to achieve an affordable divorce in Chicago is to attempt to navigate the process on your own without the assistance of a divorce lawyer. However, this is generally not recommended.
The fact remains that a divorce is a legal process with specific requirements and deadlines. If you are unfamiliar with the intricacies of the process, you can miss key steps.
This could lead to the other party obtaining a more favorable outcome. And if the other party to divorce has an attorney, while you do not, this can make matters even more difficult.
Ultimately, proceeding without an attorney could result in a more costly divorce in the long run.
Hire an Affordable Divorce Lawyer in Chicago
Another low-cost divorce option is to hire an affordable divorce attorney to assist with your case.
This might be a better option than proceeding with a divorce without the assistance of an attorney whatsoever. However, be wary as you make your selection.
Don’t just select the first option that comes up after a quick internet search for “low-cost divorce lawyers in Illinois.” By doing so, you may risk sacrificing valuable experience and quality, both of which are crucial in a divorce proceeding.
So don’t limit yourself to only the lowest-cost divorce lawyers in the area—make sure to carefully vet your potential candidates first and select the best divorce attorney for you – someone that has the skills and resources necessary to take on your case.
Use an Affordable Divorce Lawyer in Chicago to Help you File for an Uncontested Divorce
Another great option to keep your divorce affordable is to file for an uncontested divorce in Chicago.
In situations where there is little to no animosity between the parties, an uncontested divorce might be a way to keep your divorce costs relatively low. If the parties agree on how to handle all aspects of the divorce, this can make the filing process much simpler and can reduce the amount of time and money required to finalize the divorce.
Of course, uncontested divorce in Chicago may not be a viable option in all cases. Speak with a divorce attorney today to discuss your options and see if an uncontested divorce might be right for you and your situation.
Understanding Uncontested Divorce in Chicago
Sometimes, couples simply grow apart for one reason or another. And while the parties may agree that staying married is not the best decision moving forward, they may not have any animosity toward each other.
In these situations, an uncontested divorce in Chicago can be a great low-cost option.
What Is Uncontested Divorce?
So what exactly is an “uncontested” divorce in Chicago?
The ultimate goal of an uncontested divorce is to finalize the entire divorce through a settlement that both parties agree to. However, it is important to note that in an uncontested divorce, the parties must agree on all aspects of the divorce. This means that the parties must agree on:
– Child custody,
– Where the child(ren) will live,
– Child support,
– Division of assets and debts, and
– Alimony, or “spousal maintenance.”
If both parties can’t agree on how to resolve all aspects of the divorce, an uncontested divorce might not be attainable. If they can, however, this can be a great way to keep costs, and tensions, low.
How Uncontested Divorce in Chicago Might Also Mean a Cheap Divorce in Chicago
The ultimate outcome in an uncontested divorce in Chicago is that the parties finalize their divorce without the need for a trial or all the various filings and litigiousness that can be required in a traditional contested divorce.
By avoiding these extra steps, the parties are able to terminate the marriage without the need for the additional time and expense that litigation frequently requires. Thus, parties to an uncontested divorce are more easily able to afford an attorney.
If no trial or trial preparation is necessary, the attorney need only focus on advising their client throughout the process and filing the requisite paperwork to effectuate the divorce. This makes having an attorney for your divorce a much more viable option.
Do Chicago Family Law Lawyers Give Free Consultations?
If you’re searching for a Chicago attorney to represent you in divorce and/or child custody matters, you’re probably wondering whether you’ll get a free consultation.
The answer is, it depends on the lawyer.
The most common scenario is for family law attorneys to charge you for the initial consultation, and then simply apply that cost towards your retainer, if you indeed hire them.
For example, if a Chicago divorce attorney provides you with a 1-hour consultation, and their hourly rate is $250, you could expect to be billed $250.
However, that amount would then be deducted from the attorney’s retainer fee once you become a client. So, if the lawyer’s retainer is $5,000, they would bill you $4,750 instead.
That being said, there are family law attorneys who will actually consult with you about your divorce for free.
Regardless of whether you pay for a consultation, or manage to get one for free, it’s important that you know what information to gather, and what questions to ask of your potential attorney.
Questions to Ask During a Consultation with a Chicago Family Law Attorney
Divorce lawyers in Chicago offering a free consultation may provide a time limit to answer questions and assess the facts of your case during the consultation. Therefore, prioritizing your questions ensures you get answers to your most important ones. Consult the list below for possible questions to consider when meeting a family law attorney in Chicago offering a free consultation.
What Are the Strengths and Weaknesses of My Case?
Provide your prospective family court lawyer all the facts during your free consultation. With this knowledge, the attorney may assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case. If you understand the strengths of your case, you can discuss possible methods to help you achieve your goals. Additionally, understanding the weaknesses of your position ensures little surprises arise throughout your dissolution proceedings.
What Are the Potential Outcomes of My Case?
No attorney can predict the future. However, presenting a client with possible outcomes, both good and bad, represents a realistic approach to a dissolution proceeding. No one wants to lose. However, the possibility may exist in some cases. Therefore, to eliminate surprises for their client, an attorney should present you with all outcome scenarios. The best divorce lawyers in Chicago should never promise a specific outcome during a free consultation.
What Are Your Fees?
Understanding the fees related to your divorce case is always at the forefront of most client concerns. The cost of dissolution proceedings adds up quickly, particularly when the parties to the divorce share children and complex finances. Disagreements on issues result in considerable time in court and work on the part of your attorney.
Therefore, it’s important to discuss your budget for your dissolution proceeding and how you hope to proceed. In addition to outlining anticipated legal fees, your free consultation should include discussions about required fees for filing documents with the court, service of process on your ex-spouse, and other necessary expenses included in all dissolution proceedings.
Who Else Is Working on My Case?
Divorce lawyers in Illinois offering a free consultation can vary from solo practitioners to attorneys in large firms. Consider what type of lawyer you would like to handle your case. While the many different attorneys offer different benefits, a discussion with your attorney should include a question about what other parties may work on your case.
A substantial staff of various paralegals and legal assistants may handle aspects of your case for larger firms. By contrast, there may only be one paralegal or assistant in a small firm or perhaps even an associate attorney handling certain aspects of your case. Understanding who you may speak to on specific issues clears communication gaps or frustrations you may feel if unable to reach your attorney directly.
How Often May I Speak to My Attorney?
Understanding when your attorney plans to update you on the stages of your case may also arise during your free consultation with a family attorney. An attorney may communicate before hearings and other matters so you understand what lies ahead. Additionally, an attorney may communicate promptly after any issues arise.
You may also wish to speak with your attorney on other matters related to your dissolution. Communication with your attorney regarding their schedule and availability to discuss matters will help you determine whether you can count on your attorney to attend to your concerns promptly.
How Long Will the Process Take?
All experienced divorce lawyers in Chicago offering a free consultation understand that there is no way to determine exactly how long a case may take to resolve. However, based on the facts of any case, an attorney may provide potential clients with an estimated timetable based on past cases with similar fact patterns.
General Questions to Ask About the Divorce Attorney
In addition to questions related to your case, you may wish to ask questions about the potential attorney. These questions may include those on the list below and provide insight into this particular family law attorney’s character. While these questions assist in determining whether a potential family law attorney is right for you, never underestimate the value of feeling comfortable with the attorney you choose.
Possessing a good working relationship with your family law attorney alleviates any additional stress as you navigate your way through an already emotional and life-changing situation.
How Many Years Have You Been in Practice?
In discussions with your potential attorney, determine how many years they have been in practice—not only in the practice of law but also in the practice of family law. All attorneys in the Vantage Group Legal network possess a minimum of seven years of experience in their particular field of law.
How Much of Your Practice Is Dedicated to Family Law?
Understanding the field of law your potential attorney regularly practices represents an important question to ask during your free consultation. For example, if your potential attorney practices exclusively in field of child dependency law and you need a divorce attorney, you may not wish to proceed with this lawyer.
If you learn from your family court lawyer during your free consultation that they regularly represent parties in dissolution proceedings, you may feel more inclined to proceed with that person.
Who Is Your Typical Client?
Often in dissolution proceedings, parties prioritize concerns regarding the average cost of divorce they may expect. In discussions during your free consultation with a divorce lawyer in Chicago, inquire about the typical client the attorney regularly represents. If the attorney typically represents high-income clients with significant net worth, which does not accurately represent your financial disposition, you may wish to look elsewhere.
What Are Your Fees? How Are They Billed?
Many clients prioritize this question due to budgetary concerns throughout the dissolution process. Attorneys often require retainer payments as advance payments for future services. If you learn during your free consultation that the attorney requires a retainer payment beyond your means, you will quickly understand you must look elsewhere.
It’s also important to understand the hourly billing procedure for the potential attorney. Many attorneys have support staff like paralegals and legal assistants charging their own hourly rate for the assistance they may provide you. Communication of these facts ensures no surprises.
Looking for an Affordable Divorce Lawyer in Chicago?
If you’re looking for affordable divorce lawyers in Chicago, contact Vantage Group Legal today.
When you work with our team, we will assign you to an experienced network attorney who fits your particular legal needs. Vantage Group Legal is not a law firm. Thus, you might be wondering, How does Vantage help you achieve a low-cost divorce?
Not all divorce lawyers in Chicago are low-cost and also experienced. However, our unique system at Vantage Group Legal can give you a way to achieve a low-cost divorce. And we can do it all for one low monthly fee.
With our subscription plans, you pay only one low monthly fee to be connected with a knowledgeable and experienced divorce attorney in your area who will handle all aspects of your case for the duration of your subscription plan. You will have access to Vantage Group Legal’s internal support team as well.
For more information on our subscription services and how we can help you accomplish a low-cost divorce, contact Vantage Group Legal today.