Chicago Spousal Support (Alimony) Attorney
Advocating for Fair Spousal Maintenance in Cook County
In Illinois, "alimony" is legally referred to as "spousal maintenance."
It is a payment from one spouse to the other, either during the divorce or for a period after, to help the lower-earning spouse become financially independent.
Whether you are seeking spousal support to get back on your feet or you are the spouse who may be required to pay, the outcome will have a massive impact on your post-divorce life.
The Elite Law Group provides Chicago clients with clear-headed, strategic advocacy. We fight for a maintenance order that is fair, just, and accurately reflects your situation.
How Cook County Courts Determine Spousal Support
Unlike child support, spousal maintenance is not automatic. A judge must first decide if support is appropriate at all. They will review several factors, including:
The income and property of each spouse.
The needs of each spouse.
The present and future earning capacity of each spouse.
Any impairment to the earning capacity of the spouse seeking maintenance due to domestic duties or forgoing a career.
The time needed for the spouse seeking support to gain education or training.
The standard of living established during the marriage.
The duration of the marriage.
The age and health of both parties.
If the judge finds that maintenance is appropriate, Illinois law provides a guideline formula for calculating the amount and duration, but only for couples with a combined income below a specific threshold. For high-income couples, the amount is left to the judge's discretion—making your attorney's skill even more critical.
Types of Spousal Maintenance in Illinois
Spousal support can be structured in several ways, and our firm will advocate for the type that best suits your goals:
Rehabilitative Maintenance: This is the most common form in Illinois. It provides support for a fixed period, allowing the recipient time to "rehabilitate" by finding a job or completing education or training.
Reviewable Maintenance: Support is granted for a set term, with a court date at the end to review the progress of both parties and determine if it should be extended or terminated.
Permanent (Indefinite) Maintenance: This is reserved for long-term marriages (typically 20+ years) or cases where a spouse cannot become self-supporting due to age or disability.
Temporary Maintenance: Payments ordered during the divorce process to support one spouse while the case is pending.
A Chicago Alimony Lawyer on Your Side
Whether you are the paying or receiving spouse, our job is to ensure the final numbers are based on facts. We are skilled at analyzing financial disclosures, uncovering hidden income, and presenting a compelling argument to the court. We fight for an outcome that allows you to move forward with financial stability.