Served with Divorce Papers?  Now What? – Lake County, IL Divorce

Divorce Lawyers in Waukegan, Illinois – Jason R. Mercure

Your spouse has told you that he or she wants a divorce in Lake County, Illinois and you have been served with the complaint. Depending on your circumstances, you may be experiencing surprise, fear, anger and sadness. Although it’s important to deal with these emotions, your first step should be to learn about your legal options.

You need a solid exit plan. Otherwise, divorce proceedings in Lake County, IL can hit hard. If your spouse has initiated proceedings, do not sign anything until you have consulted a lawyer. Take control and protect yourself.

Divorce Lawyers in Lake County, IL

Things to consider:

1. Meet with a Lake County, IL Divorce attorney to learn about the fees, his or her approach to divorce and the benefits of having an advocate.
2. Put your children at the top of your agenda: Of all the parties to a divorce in Lake County, children are the ones who suffer the most.
3. Find and copy documents such as income tax returns, pay stubs, personal property tax returns, insurance policies, bank statements, loan applications, brokerage statements, stock certificates and anything that might contain financial information.
4. Open a separate bank account in your name: This establishes your own credit independent of your spouse.
5. Get a copy of your credit report: You should close any accounts that are open but inactive to prevent future abuse by our spouse, and you’ll find out if your spouse opened any new joint accounts without your knowledge.
6. Safe deposit box issues: Ask the bank to require both your and your spouse’s signatures to open the box. Inventory everything and take pictures. Finally, open your own box while you’re there.
7. Change passwords for ATM cards, home security systems, voice mailboxes, online access to bank accounts and any other service that requires a password. Inventory household and family possessions.
8. Review powers of attorney and health care directives: If you have given your spouse authority to handle business or financial affairs or make health care decisions on your behalf, destroy the documents.

Contact a Lake County Divorce attorney for a FREE Consultation:

Thank you for visiting the site of Jason R. Mercure, Attorney at Law. Take a moment to browse the site and feel free to call us at 847-336-4440 with any questions you may have while taking advantage of our Free Consultation. We are here to help.

Whether you are looking for a Divorce Attorney in Waukegan / Lake County, IL or representation in Divorce, Annulment or Separation cases…you have found your advocate…