Post-Decree and Post-Judgment Modification & Enforcement
When Issues Arise After the Judgement
In a divorce, the initial decision is not always the end of the line. Many people erroneously believe that the day their divorce becomes final they will never need an attorney again in relation to their divorce. Even if you employed other attorneys during your original divorce, you can call the Steele Law Firm to discuss your post-judgment issues.
Post-Judgment Issues Involving Children
In divorces that involve minor children, all issues surrounding the children must be resolved at the time of the divorce. Unfortunately, issues involving minor children do not always end on the date of divorce. Circumstances often arise after the divorce that can result in one or both of the parties seeking to modify the original order.
Under certain circumstances, you can seek to modify the judgment that was entered in your case, including the provisions dealing with child support, visitation, or custody. This modification can be due to changes in financial status or lifestyle. What was best for your child at one point in time may not be best for your child at another.
Enforcement and Other Post-Judgment Issues
In addition to modification of a prior order, it is often necessary to seek legal assistance to enforce the terms and conditions of an existing order. Probably the most common enforcement issues are nonpayment of child support and failure to comply with established periods of placement or visitation. Other post divorce issues include transfer and delivery of property, enforcement of the property division, and division of marital assets not divided at the time of divorce.
Helping You Through the Modification Process
Many aspects of your divorce order can be modified. Although child custody and visitation generally cannot be revisited for two years in order to avoid instability for the child, there are no time limits on the court modifying any other decision.
In each case, modification is governed by the legal standard that was originally applied to the divorce order. So for child custody, the arrangement can be changed if what is in the best interests of the child have changed. For child support, the obligation can be changed if the non-custodial parent's income has changed. And so on.
We will argue your side in the modification proceeding, whether it is being initiated by you or your ex-spouse.
Ensuring Fair Enforcement of the Order
If your child's non-custodial parent is not paying child support, or if you are accused of not paying child support, we can help you through the state child support enforcement process.
Any other aspect of your divorce or paternity order is also subject to enforcement. A qualified lawyer can help you pursue progressively larger penalties — such as legal fees, driver's license revocation and jail time — until the other party understands that he or she needs to comply with the court order.
Contacting an Illinois Enforcement or Modification Attorney
If you are dealing with an Illinois post-decree matter, you need the advice and assistance of a skilled, experienced family law attorney to help you, your family, and to protect all of your legal rights.
Contact us or give us a call today at (312) 893-5888 or 1-800-DIVORCE (in Northern Illinois) to learn more about how we can help you or to set up a FREE consultation.
We Can Assist You With:
• Matrimonial Law
• Family Law
• Divorce
• Domestic Relations
• Dissolution of Marriage and Legal Separation
• Litigation in Trial Courts
• Negotiated Settlements
• Alternative Dispute Resolution, such as Collaborative Law and Mediation
• Appeals to Reviewing Courts
• Financial Discovery and Analysis
• Property Division
• Retirement Benefits
• Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)
• Paternity
• Adoption
• Child Custody, including Joint Custody and Sole Custody
• Child Visitation
• Child Support
• Child Abductions
• Maintenance, formerly known as Alimony
• Spousal Support
• Marital Settlement Agreements
• Premarital Agreements
• Postnuptial Agreements
• Annulments
• Domestic Violence
• Post-Decree and Post-Judgment Issues and Modifications
• Restraining Orders
• Separation Agreements
Steele Law Home | Attorney Profile | Steele Law Firm Overview | Practice Areas | Divorce and Family Law | Resources | Contact Us
DISCLAIMER: This web site does not constitute an attorney/client relationship and this website does not give legal advice
STEELE LAW FIRM, LLC
Phone: 312-893-5888
Toll-Free (in Northern Illinois):
1-800-DIVORCE
Office Locations:
Downtown Chicago
161 N Clark St., Suite 3200
Chicago, IL 60601
Naperville
2135 CityGate Ln, Suite 300
Naperville, IL 60563
