A Shiloh family law practice limited to uncontested matters. Flat fees.
Flat Fee Divorce Solutions is a family lawyer in Shiloh, IL handling uncontested divorce, mediation, agreed parenting plans, and agreed post-decree work. I represent one spouse per matter. Every engagement follows a flat-fee arrangement that is set before the work begins. The initial consultation is a free phone call lasting under an hour.
Family Lawyer Shiloh, IL
Illinois family law governs how marriages end, how parents divide time with their children, how property accumulated together gets divided, and how earlier orders adapt when circumstances shift. I handle these matters when both parties are willing to work toward reaching agreements. When agreement is the goal, the legal work becomes a matter of careful drafting and disciplined communication.
The entire practice is oriented toward producing agreements that hold up after the judgment is entered. That focus shapes every engagement, from how the initial consultation is structured through how the final document is drafted.
Types of Family Law Matters I Handle in Shiloh
The engagements below describe the family law matters I handle. Cases that fall outside this scope are referred to attorneys whose practices include that work.
- Divorce. Both spouses agree, or are close enough to agreement that written negotiation can finish the job. I prepare the petition, the marital settlement agreement, the parenting documents where applicable, and file the matter through to a judgment.
- Mediation. Two distinct roles, never combined in one case. I serve as the neutral mediator between two spouses, or I represent one spouse preparing for mediation conducted by someone else. Illinois rules require the separation.
- Agreed Parenting plans. Required by Illinois law in any matter involving minor children. The plan addresses parenting time, decision-making authority, holiday rotations, transportation, and the small logistical details that make or break a schedule.
- Agreed Post-decree modifications. Orders entered three or five years ago sometimes stop fitting the household they now apply to. Where both parties agree on the change to parenting time, child support, or another provision, I prepare the modification and file it.
- Marital settlement agreements. The contract that resolves property, debt, and maintenance at divorce. Drafting it correctly is the work. The document binds the parties for years after the case closes.
- Quit claim deeds and name changes. Sometimes part of finalizing a divorce, sometimes standalone. The paperwork has to be drafted properly and recorded with the office that handles it.
- Allocation of parental responsibilities. For parents who were never married, Illinois still requires a structured allocation. I prepare the agreement when the parents are aligned on terms.
Why Choose Flat Fee Divorce Solutions as Your Family Lawyer in Shiloh, IL?
Amanda Bradley, Illinois Family 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. My family law practice is built around uncontested matters, and the reasoning behind that choice rests on a straightforward observation: when the parties can reach agreement, the legal process should support that outcome. My job is to make that easier.
Flat Fees, Quoted Up Front
Hourly billing creates a problem no client should have to manage. Every email, every question, every revision becomes a billable event, and the running total becomes its own source of anxiety on top of the divorce. My flat-fee pricing structure removes that variable. The fee for the work gets quoted at intake, and only when you ask for additional work does it change..
What Is Important to Understand About Family Law in Illinois?
Key Concepts in Illinois Family Law
The vocabulary in Illinois family law is precise. Words that sound similar in casual conversation carry distinct legal meaning, and using the right terminology at intake prevents confusion further down the line.
- Parental allocation. Replaced “custody” in Illinois statute in 2016. The concept now splits into parenting time and decision-making authority, allocated separately based on the parenting plan.
- Parenting time. What used to be called visitation. Set by a written schedule rather than left to informal arrangement between the parties.
- Presumed marital property. Anything acquired during the marriage starts out classified as marital, regardless of whose name appears on the account or title unless a specific legal exception applies. Inheritances and direct gifts to one spouse can fall outside the classification if they have not been commingled with marital funds.
- Equitable distribution. The standard Illinois courts apply to marital property division. The goal is fair, not always equal. Contribution, length of marriage, and economic circumstances all factor in.
- Maintenance. Formerly alimony. The calculation of maintenance under Illinois law runs through a statutory formula tied to income and the length of the marriage, with judicial discretion for cases outside the formula.
- Marital settlement agreement. The contract that locks the deal. Once signed and approved by the court, it becomes part of the judgment.
Important Aspects of an Uncontested Family Law Matter
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 matter is realistic in a given situation:
- Both spouses are willing to disclose income, assets, and debts honestly, without court-ordered discovery to compel it.
- Disagreements can be worked through with written negotiation, rather than requiring a judge to decide them.
- Neither party is hiding assets or refusing to participate in the process.
- The parties can communicate well enough, directly or through counsel, to reach written terms that both will sign.
When those conditions hold, the advantages of an amicable approach extend across cost, timeline, and the emotional aftermath. When they do not, the consultation identifies that directly, and the matter goes elsewhere.
The Family Law Case Timeline
Timelines depend on the complexity of the marital estate, the responsiveness of the other side, and the local court’s calendar. Most uncontested cases move in a recognizable sequence:
- Free initial phone consultation, under an hour.
- Engagement, intake, and information gathering. Documents come later if at all.
- Drafting of the marital settlement agreement, parenting plan, or modification petition, as the matter requires.
- Client review and revision.
- Written exchange with the other side until both spouses are prepared to sign.
- Filing and entry of the final order or judgment.
Clients often describe the result as a simple divorce, though the word “simple” understates the preparation that produced it.
What to Expect in Your Initial Phone Consultation
Every case 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 Family Law
Illinois family law usually sits in a small number of statutes and court rules. The links below access the source material directly:
- The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/, governs divorce, maintenance, property division, and parental allocation.
- The Illinois Uniform Mediation Act addresses confidentiality in mediation.
- The Illinois Courts website hosts approved forms, procedural rules, and self-help materials.
- The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk handles divorce filings in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, which includes Shiloh.
- Illinois Legal Aid Online offers plain-language guides across the family law landscape.
These resources describe the law in general terms. Application to a particular situation is the work of the consultation.
Reach Out to Flat Fee Divorce Solutions to Schedule a Consultation
Contact me to schedule a free phone consultation. The call will determine whether an uncontested matter is appropriate for your circumstances, identify the documents and agreements your case will require, and quote the flat fee that will apply. If the matter falls outside the scope of this practice, the consultation will identify that and provide referrals where appropriate.
(618) 726-2671
O'Fallon Office