Joliet, IL Family Lawyers

Experienced Lawyers for Divorce, Child Custody, Guardianship, and More in Joliet, Illinois

Legal issues that affect families can be complex. These cases can be difficult to resolve due to the strong emotions involved and the effects that a court's decisions may have on parents, children, or other family members. As you address concerns related to the end of your marriage or the custody of your children, a skilled and experienced lawyer can help you take steps to protect your rights and provide for your family's well-being.

Jordan Steele & Associates, LLC provides comprehensive family law services to help family members address the legal and practical challenges that they may encounter in these situations. Our attorneys help clients in cases involving divorce, child custody, guardianship, and other matters that could affect their families. We provide families with the guidance and representation needed to resolve their legal concerns effectively.

Divorce Representation

When getting a divorce, there are multiple types of legal and financial issues that will need to be addressed. Our attorneys can provide guidance on the critical matters that will need to be resolved before a marriage can be legally dissolved. These issues include:

• Property Division: A couple's marital property may include real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement benefits, and other assets they acquired during their marriage. All marital assets will need to be divided equitably. Non-marital property, which usually includes items a person owned before getting married, is generally excluded from division. Our lawyers can help identify, value, and protect assets during property division negotiations or when resolving these matters in court.
• Spousal Support: Ongoing financial support may be paid from one spouse to the other to ensure that they will be able to cover their expenses and provide for their needs. Our attorneys can help clients who are requesting spousal support or who are being asked to pay spousal maintenance. We will work to establish arrangements that are fair and manageable.

Child Custody and Parenting Plans

When children are involved in family law, careful consideration will need to be paid to their best interests. Our lawyers work with parents to address child custody issues and develop parenting plans that will address the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. Our goal is to establish arrangements that will allow children to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents.

We can also help our clients establish child support orders to ensure that both parents will continue to contribute to the financial needs of their children. We will make sure child support obligations are calculated correctly based on state guidelines, and we will also help parents address additional expenses such as healthcare or educational costs. With our help, parents can make sure their children's ongoing needs will be met.

Guardianship for Minors or Disabled Adults

In some cases, family members or others may need to establish guardianship for a person who is in their care. Guardianship provides a person with the authority to make important decisions regarding a ward's healthcare, education, housing, and finances.

A guardian may be appointed for a minor child when parents cannot provide the necessary care due to illness, absence, or other circumstances. Guardianship may also be necessary for adults who are disabled or elderly and cannot fully manage their affairs independently. Our attorneys can help establish guardianship of the person that will address day-to-day care or guardianship of the estate to ensure that a person can oversee the ward's finances and property.

We can guide families through the process of petitioning for guardianship. We will work with our clients to navigate the legal procedures that may be required, and we will help put arrangements in place that will protect the rights and interests of both the guardian and the ward.

Guardian ad Litem Service

In family law cases involving children, a guardian ad litem or child representative may be appointed to provide an independent evaluation and advocate for the child's best interests. This person will investigate the child's living situation, interview parents and other parties, and submit recommendations about how outstanding concerns related to custody and visitation may be resolved.

Our attorneys can help parents understand the role of a guardian ad litem in a family law case, and we can provide guidance on the best steps to take to protect their parental rights. With our help, parents can work alongside a guardian ad litem to provide relevant information about the child's needs and circumstances and put solutions in place that will allow them to meet their children's needs.

Attorney Andrea Jordan also serves as a guardian ad litem in Will County family law cases. She focuses on protecting children's best interests and helping families find solutions to outstanding disputes. This experience provides our firm with insight into the factors that will play a role when resolving child custody matters in family court.

Contact Our Joliet, Illinois Family Law Attorneys

The team at Jordan Steele & Associates, LLC provides dedicated legal help for families, helping our clients navigate divorce, child custody, and guardianship proceedings successfully. We work with families of all types, including providing representation in LGBTQ+ divorce cases. Contact our Joliet family law firm today at 872-314-0080 to set up your free consultation.