Initial Consultation
A Family Law and Estate Planning Firm Here to Serve You
Free Initial Consultations To Identify A Plan For You
Prior to retaining our family law or estate planning services, we meet with a potential client for a free consultation. During the consultation, we seek to illustrate the goals of Gwendolyn J. Sterk and the Family Law Group and to educate the potential client on the Court’s process relevant to his or her individual circumstances. Free family law and estate planning consultations are available virtually or in-person at our Orland Park office for any potential client in Cook County, Will County, DuPage County, or Illinois communities.
What To Expect At An Initial Consultation for Divorce
In a divorce (also known as a dissolution of marriage), these issues may include, but are not limited to:
- Grounds For Divorce
- The Initial Filing Of The Petition For Dissolution Of Marriage
- Child Support, Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time
- Discovery
- The Division Of The Marital Estate
- Overall Court Procedures
Other relevant topics for discussion may include, but are not limited to the following: business interests; financial accounts; inheritance; maintenance/spousal support (formerly known as alimony); non-marital property; personal property; real estate; retirement funds; stocks; vehicles; medical insurance; and objectives for an equitable division of the marital estate.
Consultations for Cases Involving Children or Post Decree Matters
For cases involving children, (including paternity actions), the consultation discussion will include, but is not limited to, the best interest of the children, child care expenses, child support, parenting evaluations, holiday scheduling, medical expenses, medical insurance, mediation, parenting time and the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. This may also include grandparent visitation rights. For paternity actions, our discussion may also include relevant questions regarding the Parentage of the child/children.
Post Decree matters or any other matter relevant to Domestic Relations, i.e. Prenuptial Agreements or Adoption, topics for consultation discussions will be case specific.
Consultations for Cases Involving Children or Post Decree Matters
For cases involving children, (including paternity actions), the consultation discussion will include, but is not limited to, the best interest of the children, child care expenses, child support, parenting evaluations, holiday scheduling, medical expenses, medical insurance, mediation, parenting time and the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. This may also include grandparent visitation rights. For paternity actions, our discussion may also include relevant questions regarding the Parentage of the child/children.
Post Decree matters or any other matter relevant to Domestic Relations, i.e. Prenuptial Agreements or Adoption, topics for consultation discussions will be case specific.
What To Expect At An Initial Consultation for Estate Planning
Establishing an Estate Plan is something many people tend to postpone, however, in the event of an emergency or death, an estate plan may be one of the most helpful tools that your loved ones can have.
During an Estate Planning consultation, you may review an established estate plan or discuss creating one. There are various components which play a part of an estate plan including: wills & trusts, Power of Attorney, and guardianships. In addition to the consultation forms, it will be helpful to come to the consultation with a general accounting of your assets, your desired beneficiaries, guardian or Power of Attorney, as well as an idea of how you would like your estate to be managed in the event of an emergency or death.
Prepare For Your Family Law Consultation
In order to ensure that the free consultation is comprehensive, we have developed Pre-Consultation Forms to assist potential clients in focusing on key areas for consideration and discussion during their consultation. Careful review and preparation of these forms will be helpful to most effectively utilize the scheduled time for your consultation. If possible, please download, review, and complete the forms, prior to meeting with our team for your initial consultation.
Begin Your Journey To Self-Healing
Sterk Family Law Group is a firm of experienced family law attorneys in Orland Park, IL. Contact us to schedule your free family law or estate planning consultation today!