Family Law & Divorce

WE HANDLE

Divorce & Legal Separation
Contested divorce, uncontested divorce, legal separation — we handle all divorce matters and fight to protect your interests.

Child Custody & Visitation
Sole custody, joint custody, parenting time, visitation schedules — we work to secure the best arrangement for you and your children.

Child Support
Calculating support, enforcing payments, modifying existing orders — we make sure your children get the financial support they deserve.

Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
Temporary maintenance, rehabilitative maintenance, permanent maintenance — we fight for fair support or defend against unreasonable demands.

Division of Assets & Debts
Marital property, retirement accounts, business interests, hidden assets — we ensure equitable division and protect what you've worked for.

Orders of Protection
Domestic violence, abuse, threats — we obtain emergency orders of protection to keep you and your children safe.

Modifications & Enforcement
Life changes. We modify custody, support, and maintenance orders when circumstances change — and enforce existing orders when your ex won't comply.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Protecting assets before or during marriage with clear, enforceable agreements.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. You don't have to prove your spouse did anything wrong. "Irreconcilable differences" is enough.

You have 30 days to respond to divorce papers. Missing that deadline can result in default judgment — meaning you lose by not showing up.

Don't move out without talking to an attorney first. Moving out can affect custody and property division. Get advice before making that decision.

Custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child. Not what's fair to you or your spouse — what's best for your kids.

THE DECISIONS THAT MATTER

Custody
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, religion? Where do the children live? How much parenting time does each parent get? These decisions shape your children's lives.

Child Support
Illinois uses an income shares model to calculate support. The court looks at both parents' income, parenting time, and expenses. We make sure the calculation is accurate.

Property Division
Illinois is an "equitable distribution" state — not equal, equitable. The court divides property based on what's fair, considering factors like income, contributions to the marriage, and future needs.

Spousal Maintenance
The court considers length of marriage, income disparity, standard of living, and ability to support yourself. Maintenance isn't automatic — we have to prove you need it or defend against paying it.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE SERVED DIVORCE PAPERS

Read the documents carefully. Note the response deadline — usually 30 days. Missing it can cost you everything.

Do not ignore them. Failing to respond means your spouse gets whatever they asked for. Default judgments are hard to undo.

Do not move out of the house without legal advice. Moving out can hurt your custody case and property claims.

Protect your finances. Take inventory of all accounts, assets, and debts. Don't hide money or transfer assets — but document everything.

Do not post on social media. Everything you post can be used against you in court. Assume your spouse's attorney will see it.

Call us: 618-310-3777. We handle emergency custody motions, asset protection, and response filings.

THE PROCESS

Filing or Responding
One spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage. The other spouse has 30 days to respond. We handle both.

Temporary Orders
Custody, support, and living arrangements while the case is pending. Temporary orders often become permanent — so they matter.

Discovery
Financial disclosures, asset valuations, depositions. We investigate to find hidden income, unreported assets, or attempts to manipulate finances.

Negotiation
Most divorces settle before trial. We negotiate custody agreements, parenting plans, and property division that protect your interests.

Mediation
Court-ordered mediation can resolve disputes without trial. We prepare you and advocate for fair agreements.

Trial
If you can't settle, we go to trial. Ashtin's prosecution background and trial experience mean she's ready to present your case and fight for you in court.

WHY THE LITIGATION EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Ashtin's background as a prosecutor taught her how to build strong cases, present compelling arguments, and fight for the outcome her clients need. But in family law, she brings something more: empathy for people going through the most difficult moments of their lives.

She's tough when negotiations require it and compassionate when clients need support. That balance matters in family law.

PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN

Custody decisions are about the children, not the parents. The court looks at:

• Each parent's relationship with the children
• The children's adjustment to home, school, and community
• Each parent's willingness to support the other parent's relationship with the children
• Any history of domestic violence or abuse
• The children's preferences (if old enough)

We focus on what's best for your kids while protecting your parental rights.

PROTECTING YOUR FINANCES

Don't let your spouse hide assets. We investigate:

• Bank accounts and retirement funds
• Business interests and income
• Real estate and personal property
• Debts and liabilities
• Tax returns and financial records

If your spouse is hiding income or transferring assets, we find it.