Lincoln Park Family Mediation Attorneys | Divorce Mediation Lawyers, Lincoln Park

In this article our Lincoln Park family mediation attorneys discuss the process of divorce mediation, with an emphasis on how important resolving disputes can be for both parties. Through mediation, both sides can reach an amicable solution with the need of expensive court fees. This can be done with the assistance of a professional mediator. Mediation may be initiated voluntarily by the parties at any stage of their case, even before filing for divorce.  It may also be ordered by the court in a domestic relations case.  Even if the parties attend mediation because they were ordered to do so by the court, any resulting agreement as a result of the mediation is voluntary.

All of the circuit courts in Illinois have mandatory mediation programs for cases involving child custody or visitation issues.  However, parties can be excused from mediation if the court determines that an impediment to mediation exists, such as domestic violence.

In this article, our Chicago family mediation attorneys explain the difference between contributions and dissipation when it comes to marital estates. We discuss what assets are typically considered marital and non-marital assets in the eyes of the courts and how the courts differentiate them. When one spouse uses marital resources for non-marital purposes, it is likely they have “dissipated” the marital estate. If a dissipation has occurred, then the spouse who has caused the dissipation must reimburse the marital estate for this improper expenditure. A contribution, on the other hand, occurs when one spouse uses non-marital funds to contribute to a marital expense. When a contribution has occurred then the contributing party is entitled to reimbursement from the marital estate.

‍

In this article, our Lincoln Park family mediation attorneys discuss in detail both collaborative and cooperative divorce. Similar to divorce mediation, Cooperative and Collaborative divorce alls parties to potentially resolve dispute that arise in a divorce outside of court. This allows both parties to save time and money on attorneys fees along with the stress. In both of these types of divorce, the parties attempt to reach a settlement without a mediator.

‍