Child and Spousal Support Lawyer in Cook County

Child Support Calculations in Illinois

Illinois follows an “Income Share” approach to determine child support obligations. That approach considers the income of both parents when determining child support. However, the true amount of income is often disputed, especially when a party is self-employed, works overtime, earns bonuses and commissions, or is seasonably employed.

Calculating a Fair Child Support Amount

Attorney Roland P. Ernst of Carr, O'Rourke & Ernst, LTD will work closely with you to calculate the correct amount of child support you should be receiving or contributing. Additionally, he will help address issues such as the cost of child care, extracurricular activities, and medical expenses.

Child Support Modification in Illinois

When there is a substantial change in circumstances, the court may approve a modification of child support. Our experienced attorney can help you in requesting that the court modify a support award. Additionally, in those situations where the support obligation is not paid, he can help you in the enforcement of the court order for support.

Call Carr, O'Rourke & Ernst, LTD at (708) 394-7361 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a child support attorney in Cook County, IL today.

Alimony in Illinois

A spouse who has been financially dependent on the other spouse may be entitled to spousal support, which is referred to as alimony or maintenance.

Determining Whether Spousal Maintenance is Necessary

There are many factors that must be considered in determining whether maintenance should be awarded, and if so, for what period of time, including but not limited to:

The length of the marriage
The standard of living established during the marriage
The present and future earning capacity of each party
The age and health of each spouse

Lawyer Roland P. Ernst will listen carefully to the financial details of your case, and if spousal maintenance is applicable, will fight to ensure that it is an appropriate amount for an appropriate amount of time.

Can Alimony Be Modified in Illinois?

In the state of Illinois, spousal support can be modified under certain circumstances. If either spouse experiences a significant change in financial situation, then they may petition the court to modify the amount of spousal support that is being paid. Additionally, if the spouse who is receiving support gets remarried, then the support payments will typically be terminated. There are circumstances that can factor into alimony modification Ultimately, it is up to the court to decide whether or not to modify spousal support, and each case is unique.

Contact our firm at (708) 394-7361 to request an initial consultation regarding your child support or maintenance issues.

Our Client Testimonials

“Roland was an excellent listener and took the time to understand and empathize with what was important to me in outcomes. He not only understood the law, but could see the areas where we could negotiate with my ex and her lawyer.”