Alimony/Spousal Support Attorney Orland Park, IL

Divorce and separation can stir up a mix of emotions—frustration, fear, sadness, and even relief. When two people part ways, there’s often anxiety about financial stability and what life will look like after the marriage ends.

For many, the topic of spousal support brings up even more questions. Will it be paid? For how long? How do the courts decide? These concerns are normal, and no one should feel pressured to resolve them alone.

At Clancy Family Law, I help clients better position themselves for fair outcomes when spousal support is a factor in divorce. I proudly offer compassionate, focused legal assistance to those facing divorce-related matters. 

My firm helps clients throughout Orland Park, Cook County, and Will County, Illinois, with guidance through family law matters that deeply affect their futures. Reach out to me to learn how I may assist you.

Alimony/Spousal Support in Illinois

Illinois law sets out factors for judges to consider when deciding whether to award spousal support. These factors don’t guarantee a specific outcome, but they guide decisions so that support is grounded in need, fairness, and financial capacity.

Both spouses’ contributions to the marriage—financial and otherwise—matter. When evaluating a support claim, Illinois courts often consider several categories of information. Common factors courts review include:

• Length of the marriage: Longer marriages can increase the likelihood or duration of support.

• Income and assets of each spouse: Courts review salaries, investments, property, and other resources.

• Age and health of both spouses: Medical needs or limited earning ability may influence decisions.

• Standard of living during the marriage: Courts look at how spouses lived while married.

• Career sacrifices: Pausing careers for caregiving or household duties is relevant.

• Education and job-training needs: Some spouses need time to develop skills or reenter the workforce.

• Earning capacity: Present and future income potential both matter.

• Parental responsibilities: Childcare duties may affect employment opportunities.

These factors help courts decide whether spousal support is justified and, if so, what form it should take. Support can be temporary, rehabilitative, fixed-term, or indefinite, depending on circumstances.

My Alimony/Spousal Support Services

When marriages end, financial support may be necessary to help one spouse with living expenses, training, education, or reestablishing financial independence. Every situation is unique, and the law gives judges flexibility when deciding who pays, how much, and for how long.

I work closely with clients to determine whether spousal support may be owed, should be requested, or could be negotiated as part of a broader divorce settlement. I will gladly provide services that include:

• Reviewing the financial circumstances of each spouse.

• Assessing whether temporary or long-term support may apply.

• Preparing and presenting arguments regarding need and ability to pay.

• Negotiating support as part of a divorce settlement.

• Modifying or terminating support when circumstances change.

• Enforcing support orders if a spouse refuses to pay.

My role as a family law attorney is to help clients evaluate their options and build fair solutions that account for the realities of married life. After all, many marriages involve sacrifices—career changes, pauses in education, caregiving responsibilities, or homemaking contributions—that should be acknowledged during divorce.

Potential Alimony/Spousal Support Claims

Not every divorce involves a fight over support. Many spouses voluntarily negotiate terms that reflect their needs and expectations. Others disagree and rely on the court to decide. Whether someone is seeking support or defending against a support request, I handle both sides of these cases.

Some spouses assume they’re not eligible for spousal support, or that they’ll automatically have to pay it, based solely on income. In reality, the law considers how the marriage functioned. Because divorce often reshapes both partners’ financial lives, the court recognizes that support may be needed as one spouse reestablishes stability. Types of scenarios I frequently address include:

• A spouse paused or gave up a career to raise children

• One partner paid for the other’s education or training

• A spouse reentered the workforce after years at home

• A marriage ended after long-term financial interdependence

• One spouse has ongoing medical or caregiving needs

• A partner faces limited earning prospects due to age or health

Many cases resolve through negotiation, mediation, or settlement discussions, which allows spouses to retain more control over the final terms.

How My Firm Can Help

When people come to me for help with spousal support, they often feel uncertain about what lies ahead. I understand those concerns and work to provide straightforward explanations, strategic guidance, and advocacy rooted in real experience. Here are some of the ways I support clients through these matters:

• Calculating reasonable support requests or responses

• Gathering financial records and evidence

• Communicating with the other spouse or their attorney

• Identifying opportunities for settlement

• Presenting arguments in court when needed

• Preparing modification or termination requests

Each of these tasks helps shape outcomes that reflect financial fairness. At Clancy Family Law, I help clients protect their rights and understand how spousal support decisions will likely affect their daily lives.