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Family Law Overview

Trusted Legal Guidance

Your legal journey demands a knowledgeable, compassionate guide. Each family law attorney in Naperville, IL, on our team is grounded in understanding the pressures and emotional stress involved in family law matters. Our founder, Rob Hanauer, has a background as an educator in both business law and paralegal studies. This equips him to break down complex legal concepts into understandable terms, ensuring you are fully informed at every stage of your case. Whether custody matters, divorce arrangements, or other family disputes, you can rest assured that your case is in capable and compassionate hands.

Family-Law in Naperville, Illinois

Divorce and Legal Separation

If you are considering a divorce or legal separation in Naperville, it's critical to understand the state's requirements. Illinois is a "no-fault" divorce state, meaning that the grounds for a divorce need only detail that "irreconcilable differences" led to an “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage.  Legal separation, on the other hand, can be sought without ending the marriage, usually addressing issues like parental responsibilities, spousal support, child support, and in some circumstances, asset division.

Child Custody and Visitation

Child custody and visitation rights focus on the best interest of the child. DuPage County courts consider parental responsibilities, the child's needs, and the parent's living situation. Custody arrangements include:

  • Physical Custody: Where the child lives.
  • Legal Custody: Decision-making power for the child.
  • Joint Custody: Both parents share decision-making and living arrangements.
  • Sole Custody: One parent has primary responsibility for the child.

Child Support

In Naperville, child support is calculated using the "Income-Shares Model." This means that both parents' incomes determine how much one parent pays the other. The aim is to ensure that children receive adequate support that reflects what they would have received had the family remained intact.

Naperville’s courts consider the following:

  • Each parent’s income
  • Number of children
  • Time each parent spends with the children, particularly the number of overnights (146 annual overnights is shared-parenting time in Illinois)
  • Who pays for health insurance and the cost of the same
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Alimony and Maintenance

Alimony and maintenance, also known as spousal support, can be awarded to a spouse who needs financial assistance. Courts can allocate support in various ways, including temporary, fixed-term, permanent, or lump-sum. The decision is made based on a number of factors, including the following:

  • Each spouse's income, earning potential, and needs
  • The standard of living during the marriage
  • The duration of the union

An experienced family attorney in Naperville, IL, can help evaluate these factors, present a strong case for fair support, and protect your financial interests throughout the process. Short-term marriages may result in temporary maintenance, while long-term marriages may lead to longer or even permanent support arrangements.

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Navigating the Legal System

The Court Process

When you engage with the court system, be prepared for several stages, from filing to resolution:

  1. Filing: Submitting the initial paperwork formally starting your case.
  2. Service: Notifying the other party of the legal action.
  3. Response: Awaiting the other party's official answer to your filing.
  4. Discovery: Gathering and exchanging relevant information.
  5. Hearings: Attending court sessions for preliminary matters.
  6. Trial: If you and your significant other do not reach an agreement on all matters, the trial is where the parties present evidence and arguments for their respective positions.
  7. Judgment: Receiving a formal decision from the court.
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Legal Documentation

Accurate and timely documentation is a linchpin of family-law cases. In Illinois family-law cases, you will deal with a range of forms and legal papers, which may include:

  • Petitions or Complaints: To initiate legal action.
  • Responses: To reply to a petition or complaint.
  • Orders: Judicial mandates that must be followed.
  • Settlement Agreements: Mutually-agreed-upon terms to resolve the dispute and allocate responsibilities/obligations.
RC
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'

RC
JP
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'

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

'Would recommend 100%'

M
MP
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'

MP
Dr. E. H.
Outstanding strategic counsel. Give my highest level of recommendation!

'Outstanding Strategic Counsel'

Dr. E. H.
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Robert Hanauer, attorney at law

Why Choose the Naperville Family Law Attorneys at Hanauer Law?

Family law issues can be some of the most personal and emotionally complex legal matters you may face. At Hanauer Law, we approach every family law case with empathy, determination, and a commitment to strong advocacy. Backed by more than 75 years of combined experience, our attorneys work closely with clients to understand their goals, safeguard their rights, and pursue outcomes that protect their families and futures. We provide individualized, one-on-one representation throughout the entire process, so you always know where your case stands. When going to court is in your best interest, our team has the skill and courtroom experience to litigate effectively. 

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 are seeking an experienced family lawyer in Naperville, IL, contact Hanauer Law today to schedule a consultation. We are here to provide the guidance and advocacy you need during this difficult time and help you move forward with confidence.

Awards & Recognitions

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Divorce

Divorce

We handle all types of divorce—uncontested, contested, collaborative, and mediated. Our goal is to guide you through the process efficiently while protecting your rights. We also assist with property division, post-divorce modifications, and more.

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High-Net-Worth Divorce

High-Net-Worth Divorce

Cases involving net incomes of over $500,000, division of high-end assets, real estate, businesses, investments, investigation of potentially “hidden property”, and other related issues.

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Prenuptial Agreement

Prenuptial Agreement

We take a collaborative and individualized approach to drafting prenuptial agreements, ensuring that each party’s interests are clearly outlined and protected. By fostering transparency and fairness, we help couples build a strong legal foundation for their future together. 

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Custody / Parenting Time

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

Child Support

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

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Spousal Maintenance / Alimony

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

Parentage & Paternity

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

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Relocation & Removal

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.

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Family Mediation

Family Mediation

In family mediation, our team emphasizes understanding, neutrality, and practical resolution. We support clients from start to finish, helping them find common ground and build fair agreements that stand the test of time, often avoiding the need for court intervention.

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Family Law Appeals

Family Law Appeals

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

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Orders of Protection

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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Hanauer Law Named Central Illinois' Viewers’ Choice for Family Law

Hanauer Law fights hard for families like yours across Illinois. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to share that you’ve chosen us as Central Illinois' top Family Law Firm in the 2025 Viewers’ Choice awards conducted by the ABC affiliate for Central Illinois.

Read more about Hanauer Law Named Central Illinois' Viewers’ Choice for Family Law

Illinois Child Support Laws: Understanding Your Obligations and Rights

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

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