Family Lawyer in DuPage County, IL

Navigating the complexities of family law in DuPage County, Illinois, can be a challenging journey, marked by emotional upheaval and significant transitions. Each family law attorney in DuPage County, IL, at Hanauer Law recognizes the intricacies of such legal issues and is dedicated to offering the support and expertise you require.

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Family Law Overview

Compassionate Guidance for Your Legal Needs

At Hanauer Law, we handle family law matters with great care and are prepared to guide you with a balanced approach tailored to your unique situation. Your quest for a resolution that honors your needs and protects your interests is our priority, so we ensure that every decision is approached with clarity and purpose. We understand that family dynamics are profoundly personal and pledge to confidently uphold your rights with vigor and empathy, helping you embrace the future.

Understanding Family Law in DuPage County

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Divorce Proceedings

In DuPage County, Illinois, the dissolution of marriage, commonly known as divorce, follows specific legal procedures. As someone considering or going through a divorce, you need to know that residency requirements and grounds for divorce must be met. Illinois is a no-fault state, which means that irreconcilable differences are the primary grounds for divorce, and neither party proves the other's fault. In addition to the state laws that govern a DuPage County divorce proceeding, there are local court rules specific to DuPage County, as set forth in Article 15 of the local rules for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. An experienced family attorney in DuPage County, IL, can navigate these rules to ensure the orderly progression of your case.

Child Custody and Support

Regarding child custody and support, Illinois law focuses on the best interests of the child or children involved. Decisions are made based on various factors, including, but not limited to:

The parent's wishes
The child's needs
The child's relationship with each parent

Child support calculations are determined using the "income-shares" model (adopted in 2017), which considers both parents' incomes, who pay for health insurance (and the cost for same), and the amount of time each parent spends with the child (namely, overnights). The income-shares model is intended to reflect the percentage of combined net income that parents living in the same household in this State ordinarily spend on their child. The support owed to a child includes the obligation to provide for the reasonable and necessary physical, mental, and emotional needs of the child.

Property Division

As for property division, DuPage County adheres to equitable distribution rules, meaning that marital property is not necessarily split 50/50 but is divided in a manner that the court deems fair. The court considers a range of factors, such as:

The duration of the marriage
Each spouse's economic circumstances
Any agreements between the spouses

Spousal Maintenance

Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, may be granted to a spouse based on the need for financial support and the other spouse's ability to pay. This financial assistance is often paid by one spouse to another on an ongoing basis and is calculated under guidelines that consider the following:

The length of the marriage
The standard of living established during the marriage
The earning capacities and actual income of each spouse

Rob and Alex definitely know their stuff. Everything they said is exactly how it turned out. They were knowledgeable and didn’t beat around the bush. Thanks, Rob Hanauer and crew, I'm ever so grateful.

'I'm ever so grateful'

As quality of a lawyer and group as one could ask for. Highly recommend to anyone needing help of any sort. Pays attention to your needs and puts in the work to make sense of everything you ask for. Came through for me pure and simple, in custody hearings and everything else leading up to it. Very responsive at all times and took the time necessary to listen...

'Highly recommend to anyone needing help'

Great person to work with. Fights tooth and nail for the win. Would recommend 100%!

'Would recommend 100%'

In working with Hanauer Law Offices, I not only received good legal advice but was very impressed with the staff’s professionalism and just “niceness.” Also, thank you, Rob, for quickly resolving the situation with my disabled sister, who had false charges against her.

'Very impressed with the staff'

Dr. E. H.

Outstanding strategic counsel. Give my highest level of recommendation!

'Outstanding Strategic Counsel'

Dr. E. H.

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Navigating the Legal System in DuPage County

Finding the Right Attorney

Your first step is to find an attorney who focuses on family law. Look for someone in DuPage County with a strong track record. The attorney should deeply understand local laws and have experience working within the county's court system. Consider these criteria:

Knowledge: Choose an attorney focusing on family law.
Experience: Seek someone familiar with DuPage County Family Court.
Reputation: Read reviews and ask for recommendations.

What sets us apart is that our firm's founder, Rob Hanauer, embodies the qualities and experience essential for providing exceptionally effective legal representation. Despite assembling a team of similarly dedicated lawyers, paralegals, and outstanding professionals, Rob remains committed to personally connecting with every individual seeking our assistance.

As a devoted husband, father, and former educator of business law and paralegal studies at a community college, he possesses both empathetic understanding and comprehensive legal experience. These qualities contribute to fostering a solid and comfortable attorney-client relationship. With his intrinsic competitive drive and passion for success, Rob's unique blend of authentic relatability and assertive courtroom presence is ideal for addressing family law matters.

The Court Process

Understanding each phase of the court process helps you know what to expect next. Here are the stages of a family law case in DuPage County:

1. Initial Filing

You or your attorney will file a petition or complaint to start the case.

2. Service of Process

The other party must be officially served with the legal papers.

3. Response

The other party can file an answer to your petition.

4. Discovery

Both parties exchange relevant information and documents.

5. Pre-Trial Motions

Request the court for specific rulings before the trial.

6. Mediation/Settlement

Efforts are made to settle the case outside court.

7. Trial

If no settlement is reached, the case will go to trial before a judge.

Legal Documentation

Proper documentation is crucial in family law proceedings. The primary documents you will encounter are:

Petitions/Complaints: Start the legal process.
Summons: Officially notify the other party of the lawsuit.
Motions: Request the court to take specific actions.
Orders: Formal decisions issued by the court.
Settlement Agreements: Document the terms of any agreement if a case is settled out of court.

Ensure you file all documents on time and keep copies of everything you submit or receive.

Why Choose the DuPage County Family Law Attorneys at Hanauer Law?

Family law matters often involve deeply personal and emotional challenges that can affect every part of your life. At Hanauer Law, we provide compassionate yet assertive representation to help individuals and families navigate difficult legal situations with clarity and confidence. With more than 75 years of combined experience, our attorneys take the time to understand your concerns, protect your rights, and pursue solutions that support your long-term well-being. We offer personalized, one-on-one guidance throughout your case, ensuring you are never left feeling unheard or uncertain. When litigation becomes necessary, our team is fully prepared to take your case to court and advocate for your interests.

Our attorneys’ honors and recognitions include:

Viewer’s Choice Winner (2025)
Super Lawyers (2025)
Lawyers of Distinction (2023–2025)
Super Lawyers Rising Star (2021–2024)
National Association of Distinguished Counsel (2023)

If you need a trusted family lawyer in DuPage County, contact Hanauer Law today to schedule a consultation. We are here to support you through this challenging time and help you move forward with confidence.

Awards & Recognitions

Divorce

Child custody, support, asset division, and debt allocation

High-Net-Worth Divorce

Property division, asset tracing, hidden assets, lifestyle preservation, and prenuptial agreements

Prenuptial Agreement

Our team approaches prenuptial agreements with care and attention to detail, tailoring each agreement to reflect the couple’s unique circumstances. We prioritize clarity and fairness, helping both parties enter marriage with confidence and mutual understanding.

Custody / Parenting Time

Ensuring parent-child relationships are protected, parenting plans, custodial parent, physical custody, legal custody, and residential parent issues.

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Child Support

How child support is calculated, private-school tuition, daycare expenses, medical care, special needs, and more.

Spousal Maintenance / Alimony

Whether or not there will be spousal support, how long maintenance payments will be made, calculation of payments, high-net-worth alimony, remarriage, change in circumstances, termination of support, etc.

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Parentage & Paternity

Cases involving disputed parentage, fathers’ rights, enforcement of child custody or child support.

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Relocation & Removal

Move away cases involving a remarriage or new job, residential parent rights, what is considered a “relocation”, court notifications for relocation, preventing a relocation, how a judge determines the best interests of a child in move away cases.

Family Mediation

We take a compassionate and impartial approach to family mediation, working to create solutions that respect the needs of each person involved. By guiding clients through every stage of the process, we help them reach cooperative, lasting agreements without the stress of litigation.

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Family Law Appeals

Petitioning appellate court for changes in parenting plans, child support, maintenance, division of property, and more.

Orders of Protection

Temporary protection orders (TPO), domestic abuse, protection of children, restraining order hearings, misuse of restraining orders, restraining order violations.

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Understanding child-support laws in Illinois is crucial for parents navigating the challenges of raising children after a separation or divorce. These laws are designed to ensure that the children's financial needs are met by mandating that both parents contribute to their upbringing.

Read more about Illinois Child Support Laws: Understanding Your Obligations and Rights