FAQ

SOME ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Still have questions? I have answers.

What do we have to agree on?

You and your soon-to-be-ex have to agree on everything in the paperwork. Take a look at the process of uncontested divorce.

 

How it works

What if we agree on nearly everything?

It depends on where you are struggling to find an agreement. If it’s a main issue, like parental allocation, formerly called custody, then I might not be able to help you. If it’s the sofa, I might be able to help you reframe your thoughts.

What if we agree on parental allocation but not something else?

Well, if the something else is small, try to compromise. Contested divorces are very expensive. It is not uncommon to see families with attorney fee bills equivalent to the cost of a new car, a year of college or even the price of a home.

Can you represent the both of us?

No. I only represent one person.

Do I have to come to your office?

No. I rarely meet with clients face to face.

Do you take payments?

Yes. I will craft a payment plan for you. I do require that you have paid all your fees and costs before I will file your case.

How long does it take?

That depends on a few factors. If you are in full agreement and there are no changes, it could be within 2 months. If you need lots of changes, it takes longer. If it takes you 6 months to make all your payments, then that is how long it will take.

 

I do offer a rush service for an additional $500, providing I have the time and ability to complete the task. In that instance, I will only have the ability to change typos, and I will not be able to take payments. If I agree to a rush service job, I can usually have you divorced in 2 weeks.

What if my soon-to-be-ex will not agree to sign the papers?

Try to find out what issues you do not agree on. Try to compromise. If they will not, then I will not be able to help you further. I will give you the names and numbers of some fantastic attorneys that can pick up where we leave off.

How does it work?

Do I have to go to court?

In some counties, probably not. In others, you will. I will let you know if you do and arrange as best I can to go on a day that is convenient for you.

Why should I hire you instead of doing this myself or paying a lot less for on-line paperwork?

If you want to do it yourself, the link to the paperwork is below. What I offer is to make it so that you do not have to stress as much over the whole process. I have been practicing law for over 15 years, which means I have learned what makes a settlement work and what does not. I know what paperwork the judges want to see, how they want to see it worded, and how to file it with the court. I make sure you have enough copies, and I provide you with a digital copy on my cloud. If there is child support or maintenance, I can set it up so the amounts are automatically deducted from the payer’s paycheck. I understand that this is not an easy time in your life, and my job is to make your divorce less stressful.

 

Illinois Approved Court Forms

Why should I hire you rather than using one of the services that guarantees the papers will be accepted?

Again, I craft your paperwork for your case, your family, and your situation. I apply the 20 years of legal knowledge I have gained to get your case done. I put your final copies on my cloud, where you will have free access to make yourself additional copies. I save you the headache of tying to figure out how to file the paperwork. If you file your own paperwork, you will have to go to court for yourself, you might have to pay for copies, and you will be on your own.

Why should I hire you instead of someone else?

I will treat you like I would want to be treated through this process. I am relaxed and informal, I like to tell jokes and I will do my best to make you giggle. I try to not use legal jargon or write paperwork that is confusing. In other words, I may have a law license, but I am a regular person who happens to know how to draft some pretty good paperwork and help clients at this time of life. Besides, my cats think I am awesome.

Wait! You sound awesome! I want to retain you for a different matter. Will you represent me?

Probably not. I do not take litigation matters at all any more.

 

Email me

Can you do my case for free?

No. At this time, I am not taking pro bono work. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can file it yourself using the courthouse’s provided paperwork.

 

Illinois Approved Court Forms

Can you do my case for a lower cost?

No. But I take payments, credit cards and let family pay.

Can I use a simple divorce lawyer if my spouse and I agree on all issues?

Yes, absolutely. A simple divorce lawyer can be a great option if you and your spouse have reached an agreement on all aspects of your divorce, including division of assets, parental allocation, and support arrangements. Even in uncontested cases, having legal representation can ensure that your rights are protected and that all necessary paperwork is filed correctly, which is why here at Flat Fee Divorce Solutions, I recommend having an attorney present even if everyone is on the same page.

What factors determine whether my divorce qualifies as uncontested?

Several factors can determine whether your divorce qualifies as uncontested. Primarily, if you and your spouse are in agreement on all issues and can work together to finalize the terms of your divorce, it may be considered uncontested. Additionally, if there are no significant disagreements or disputes that require court intervention, your divorce is more likely to qualify as uncontested. However, even if you feel you agree on absolutely everything, you should still seek legal counsel to ensure that your voice is being heard throughout the process.

Are there any circumstances where an uncontested divorce may become contested, requiring a different approach?

While uncontested divorces typically proceed smoothly, there are instances where disagreements may arise during the process. For example, if one party changes their mind about certain aspects of the divorce agreement or if new information comes to light that impacts the terms of the divorce, it could lead to contested issues. In these cases, a different approach may be necessary, and I can advise you on the best course of action. For example, your ex-spouse may change their mind about the division of assets, or an old investment account may resurface that was forgotten about and needs to be discussed.

How long does it typically take to finalize an uncontested divorce with the help of a lawyer?

The timeline for finalizing an uncontested divorce can vary depending on various factors, including court processing times and the complexity of your case. However, with the help of an experienced uncontested divorce lawyer, the process is generally much faster and more streamlined than a contested divorce. In many cases, uncontested divorces can be finalized in a matter of weeks or months, rather than years. However, as aforementioned it truly depends on the complexity of your case. Please reach out to me here at Flat Fee Divorce Solutions to learn more about my process, what is needed from you, and a timeline of how long your case might be expected to take.

IS THIS PROCESS RIGHT FOR YOUR SITUATION?

We only accept clients who are in total agreement with their soon-to-be-ex-spouse. This total agreement includes division of all of the assets, such as the house, the cars and the pets. You have to agree how you will divide retirement funds, investments and checking accounts. Additionally, you have to agree on how to divide the debts, such as credit cards, medical bills, the mortgage and the like.

 

If you have children, the parents have to come to agreements on where the kids spend school nights, weekends, summers and holidays. You also have to agree how to discuss and divide the responsibilities for your child or children, such as signing them up for sports, taking them to the doctor and paying for medical treatments. You must also agree on an amount for child support, who will provide insurance and pay for your children’s needs.

 

In other words, you have to be fully in agreement on everything.

 

There are benefits to getting an uncontested divorce. The process is a lot less stressful. You will not have multiple court appearances, spend hours gathering up documents for your lawyer, and miss work to work on your case. An uncontested divorce is a lot less expensive too. It can be very costly to go through the early stages of litigation. There is the cost of mediation, which is $500-$1,000 total. Sometimes, attorneys are appointed for the children, which costs at least $1,000. Many retainer fees for divorce lawyers start at least $2,000. By the time you reach the pretrial stage, it is not uncommon to have spent $10,000 on fees, costs and attorneys fees. I see attorney fee bills of over $25,000 for cases that have not been tried, and trial bills that are several thousand more. Finally, there is the uncertainty of litigation. When a case is tried, the judge will usually determine that one parent will have more time, how you will spend holidays with your children, who will pay the debts and who will get the assets. Then, there is the question of whether the losing party will appeal the case.

 

If you sit down, push past your hurt feelings, act reasonably, you can craft a plan for your future without the same expense, stress or financial commitment.

 

If you and your soon to be ex-spouse or ex-partner can reach these agreements, then we can help you with your case

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