A Shiloh divorce practice limited to uncontested matters. Flat fees set up front.
Flat Fee Divorce Solutions is a divorce lawyer in Shiloh, IL handling uncontested dissolutions, mediated divorces, and the drafting work that finalizes them. I represent one spouse per matter. The fee is flat, quoted at intake, and covers the engagement through to entry of the judgment in most cases. The first conversation is a free phone call.
Divorce Lawyer Shiloh, IL
A divorce in Illinois dissolves the marriage and resolves the legal questions tied to it. Property gets divided, debts get allocated, maintenance may apply, and a parenting plan is required if minor children are involved. An uncontested divorce is the version where both spouses agree on the answers and put the agreement in writing before the case ever sees a judge.
Immediate agreement on every detail is not required to pursue an uncontested divorce. Most clients work through the specifics during the engagement. I draft the marital settlement agreement, prepare the parenting plan when one is needed, and exchange revisions with the other side until both spouses are prepared to sign.
Types of Divorce Matters I Handle in Shiloh
The work below covers the types of divorces I handle. Cases that fall outside this scope are referred during the initial consultation.
- Uncontested divorce. Both spouses agree on the financial and parenting terms. I prepare the petition, the marital settlement agreement, and any parenting documents, then move the matter through to a finalized judgment.
- Mediation. Mediation and divorce representation are separate roles, and Illinois rules require them to stay separate within any given case. When you are heading into mediation with a different mediator, I can represent you in preparation. If mediation produces an agreement, I can then handle the uncontested filing.
- Parenting plans. Illinois requires a written parenting plan in any divorce with minor children. The plan addresses parenting time, decision-making authority, holiday rotation, and the transportation logistics that determine whether the schedule survives a year of real life.
- Marital settlement agreements. The contract that resolves property, debt, and maintenance at divorce. Drafting it correctly determines whether the divorce holds up cleanly in the years that follow.
- Agreed Post-decree modifications. Parenting time and child support orders entered earlier can be modified when both parties agree to a change. I prepare the modification petition and handle the filing.
- Quit claim deeds and name changes. Sometimes part of finalizing the divorce, sometimes standalone, always requiring proper drafting and recording with the office that handles those filings.
Why Choose Flat Fee Divorce Solutions as Your Divorce Lawyer in Shiloh, IL?
Amanda Bradley, Illinois Divorce Lawyer
My name is Amanda Bradley. I earned my law degree at Washington University in 2003, after undergraduate work in history and psychology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. As a family lawyer in Shiloh, IL, my practice is built around uncontested divorce, mediation, and the drafting work that supports both. The thinking behind that focus rests on a straightforward observation: when spouses can reach agreement, the legal process should support that outcome. The cases I handle are well served by careful drafting and disciplined negotiation.
Predictable Flat-Fee Pricing
The fee for an uncontested divorce gets quoted at the start of the engagement and does not change as the matter progresses. Hourly billing turns every email and every revision into a billable event, and the running total becomes one more pressure point in an already difficult situation. A flat fee removes that variable.
What Is Important to Understand About Divorce in Illinois?
Grounds for Divorce and Property Division in Illinois
Illinois is a no-fault state. Irreconcilable differences is the only ground recognized by the statute. There is no requirement to prove cause, document misconduct, or assign blame for the breakdown of the marriage. That alone removes a layer of conflict from the proceedings.
A handful of concepts come up in every Illinois divorce:
- Presumed marital property. Almost everything acquired during the marriage is marital by default. The classification does not depend on whose name is on the title or account. Inheritances and direct gifts to one spouse can fall outside the classification, provided they have not been commingled with marital funds.
- Equitable distribution. The standard for dividing marital property. The court aims for fair, not always equal, considering contribution, length of marriage, and economic circumstances.
- Parental allocation. Illinois replaced “custody” with parental allocation, which covers parenting time and decision-making authority as separate concepts.
- Parenting time. Previously known as visitation. Set by a written schedule, not by informal arrangement.
- Maintenance. What used to be called alimony. The calculation of maintenance under Illinois law follows a statutory formula tied to income and the length of the marriage.
- Marital settlement agreement. The negotiated contract that resolves the financial and property issues. Once approved by the court, its terms become part of the judgment and bind the spouses going forward.
Important Aspects of an Uncontested Divorce
I represent one spouse in uncontested divorces, mediated cases, and post-decree agreements. Cases involving substantial disputed factual questions, requests for temporary relief, or the need for formal discovery fall outside the scope of this practice and are referred to attorneys who handle that work. The factors below indicate whether an uncontested divorce is realistic in a given situation:
- Both spouses are willing to disclose income, assets, and debts honestly, without needing court-ordered discovery to compel it.
- Disagreements between the parties can be resolved through written negotiation rather than judicial decision.
- Neither spouse is hiding assets, avoiding service of process, or refusing to engage with the proceedings.
- The parties can communicate, directly or through counsel, well enough to produce written terms both will sign.
When those conditions are present, the advantages of an amicable resolution are evident in cost, timeline, and the emotional impact of the case.
The Divorce Case Timeline
Timelines depend on the complexity of the marital estate, the responsiveness of the other side, and the court’s own calendar. Uncontested cases tend to move through these stages:
- Free initial phone consultation, under an hour.
- Engagement and intake. The focus is on information, not documents.
- Drafting of the marital settlement agreement and parenting plan where applicable.
- Client review and revision, followed by written exchange with the other side.
- Filing of the petition once both spouses have signed.
- Entry of the judgment of dissolution.
An uncontested approach allows for a simple divorce, resulting in an agreement that both spouses feel good about.
What to Expect in Your Initial Phone Consultation
Every divorce is different, but my initial consultation follows a similar format so that you leave with a clear understanding of both your options and how I practice.
We begin our call by discussing your family, your goals, and the issues that may need to be addressed. This could be issues like how to divide time with your children, dividing property, support, or other concerns. I will ask questions to better understand your situation and to determine whether your matter is a good fit for my practice.
I also explain my approach to divorces. My practice focuses on uncontested and negotiated divorces, helping clients resolve their cases efficiently, professionally, and with as little unnecessary conflict as possible. During the consultation, I will explain my process, expected timeline, fees, and what you can expect if you decide to retain me.
The consultation is also your opportunity to ask questions. While I cannot give you legal advice, I can provide you with information about common issues. I want to finish the call with you having a better understanding of the divorce process through my office. Later, I will email you a recap of what we chatted about so you can have it at your fingertips.
Not every case or client is a good fit for every attorney, and if I determine you are not a good fit for my practice, I will refer you to attorneys or resources I think can help you. My goal in our call is simple: we should both know if we are a good fit to work together, and if we are, what the next steps will be.
Important Illinois Legal Resources for Divorce
Illinois divorce law lives in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and the rules issued by the state’s court system. The resources below open the source material directly:
- The Illinois General Assembly publishes 750 ILCS 5/, the central divorce statute.
- The Illinois Courts site hosts approved forms, procedural rules, and self-help materials for family law matters.
- The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk handles divorce filings in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, which includes Shiloh.
- The Illinois Uniform Mediation Act governs confidentiality in mediated discussions.
- Illinois Legal Aid Online offers plain-language explanations of Illinois divorce law and procedure.
These resources describe the law generally. Application to a specific situation is the function of the consultation.
Reach Out to Flat Fee Divorce Solutions to Schedule a Consultation
A divorce engagement begins with a conversation that defines the scope and the cost. Contact me to schedule a free phone consultation. The discussion will determine whether your matter is suited to an uncontested process, establish the documents required to move it forward, and produce a flat fee quote for the work involved. Where the matter falls outside the scope of this practice, the consultation will identify that and provide appropriate referrals.
(618) 726-2671
O'Fallon Office