Lakeview, IL Spousal Support Lawyer

Reliable Alimony Attorney Representing Clients in Lakeview, Illinois

During a divorce, one spouse may request alimony, also referred to as spousal maintenance or spousal support. If the spouses disagree about whether or not alimony is needed or appropriate, the resulting dispute can take much time to resolve. A skilled Lakeview divorce lawyer can help you navigate your concerns regarding spousal support, regardless of where you stand on the issue.

At Cameron Law Center, LLC, we can help you negotiate for a fair, sustainable spousal support arrangement. We will work to protect you during your divorce, whether you want to address your alimony concerns through litigation or a less combative method like mediation.

How Can I Obtain Spousal Support in Illinois?

Many spouses are able to obtain alimony without needing to request it directly through a judge. For instance, one spouse could agree to pay the other spousal support in a divorce settlement in exchange for a greater share of marital property. Similarly, a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement could include terms about spousal support in the event of a divorce, which can save both spouses time.

If the spouses cannot agree to alimony in a settlement, one spouse could petition the judge for a court order of spousal support. The judge will consider various factors before deciding whether or not to award alimony, including both spouses' financial circumstances and the ability of the spouse seeking alimony to obtain suitable employment. At Cameron Law Center, LLC, we can represent you in court to protect your financial interests, building a case for an equitable outcome on your behalf.

Can Spousal Support Be Modified After My Divorce?

A court order of spousal maintenance can be modified if your circumstances have changed significantly, whether you are paying or receiving alimony. For example, if the recipient spouse gets a substantial increase to their income, the paying spouse could request a reduction in payments.

Alimony will also be terminated if the receiving spouse remarries. This is critical, since if the paying spouse makes any more payments past that point, they can be reimbursed for whatever they contributed. Note also that if the spouse paying alimony dies, the court order will also terminate.

There are some cases wherein a spouse receiving alimony will move in with a new romantic partner without marrying them. If the relationship is similar enough to a marriage, it could be deemed cohabitation, giving the court reason to terminate alimony. However, the burden is on the paying spouse to prove that their ex has begun cohabitating with a new partner.

Enforcement of Alimony Orders in Illinois

If you have not received the spousal support that you are owed by your ex, you can take legal action to secure the payments that you are owed. In response to a petition, a judge can implement different measures to enforce a court order. Some of these measures may include garnishing your ex's income from their paychecks or intercepting their tax returns. Your ex could also be ordered to pay interest on unpaid support and compensate you for your attorneys' fees. At Cameron Law Center, LLC, we can help you pursue an appropriate remedy for unpaid support.

Alternatively, you could file a motion to hold your ex in contempt of court for disrespecting the judge's authority by not paying spousal support. If the court finds that your ex violated the order, they could be fined or even jailed.

Contact a Lakeview Spousal Support Attorney

Do you have any questions about alimony in your divorce? If so, do not hesitate to reach out to a qualified Lakeview, Chicago spousal support lawyer at Cameron Law Center, LLC.

We are ready to listen to your concerns. To arrange a free consultation, call us at 312-489-8638 or contact us online.