Will my case go to trial?

Most contested divorces settle before trial — but the ones that settle well are the ones that were prepared for trial from the start. We build every case as if it will be heard by a judge, which creates stronger negotiating leverage and better outcomes at every stage. If trial becomes necessary, we are ready.

What if my spouse is hiding assets or income?

Illinois discovery procedures allow parties to request financial records, subpoena information, and investigate discrepancies in financial disclosure. In some cases, forensic accountants or business valuation experts may be necessary.

Can parenting time be restricted?

Yes. Illinois courts may impose restrictions where serious concerns exist involving a child’s physical, emotional, or mental well-being. These situations are highly fact-specific.

What is a Guardian ad Litem?

A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is an attorney appointed by the court to investigate issues involving children and provide recommendations regarding parenting-related matters.

Do I need to move out during the divorce?

Not necessarily. Whether remaining in the marital residence is advisable depends on the facts of the case, financial considerations, parenting arrangements, and overall litigation strategy.

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Chicago Contested Divorce Attorney

When the Stakes Are High, the Representation Has to Match.

Contested divorce is not a process you want to navigate by yourself, learning as you go. When your spouse has retained counsel, when significant assets are on the table, when parenting arrangements are in dispute, or when the other side is playing hardball — you need a lawyer who has already thought three steps ahead.

LaRocque Law represents clients in complex, high-conflict, and financially significant divorce matters throughout Cook, DuPage, and Will County. We come in with a clear plan, execute with precision, and stay ready for court from day one.

What Makes a Divorce Contested

A divorce becomes contested when the parties cannot reach agreement on one or more significant issues. It doesn't require conflict about everything — many contested cases settle the majority of issues and litigate only what remains. Common contested issues include:

Division of marital assets and debts
Valuation of a business, professional practice, or complex investment portfolio
Allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time
Spousal maintenance — whether to award it, how much, and for how long
Hidden, dissipated, or undervalued assets
Temporary orders for support, occupancy of the marital home, and parenting arrangements while the case is pending

The presence of any one of these issues can significantly affect the trajectory of a case. The presence of several requires a deliberate litigation strategy from the start.

The First 30 Days Matter More Than Most People Realize

When divorce becomes contested, early decisions set the trajectory for everything that follows. Temporary orders entered in the first weeks of a case — covering finances, the marital home, and parenting time — can be difficult to undo and often influence the final outcome more than people expect.

Before your spouse's attorney files anything, we want to know your full picture: what assets exist, what the income situation looks like, what the parenting arrangement has actually been, and what outcome matters most to you. That information shapes everything we do from the first filing forward.

If you've already been served, time is short. Contact us immediately.

Our Approach to Contested Divorce

We don't manufacture conflict, and we don't back down from it either. Our job is to assess your situation honestly, tell you what the law actually supports, and pursue the most efficient path to a fair outcome — whether that's a negotiated settlement or a courtroom.

Most contested divorces settle before trial. That doesn't mean you prepare for settlement and hope for the best. It means you prepare for trial so thoroughly that the other side settles on terms that work for you.

Every case we take gets a litigation strategy. That means understanding the financial picture completely, identifying the issues most likely to be disputed, anticipating the other side's arguments, and having a clear position on every point before anything is filed.

Property Division in a Contested Divorce

Illinois is an equitable distribution state — marital property is divided equitably, not necessarily equally. What counts as marital property, how assets are valued, and what "equitable" means in your specific circumstances are all subject to dispute and judicial discretion.

In complex contested cases, this often means forensic analysis of financial records, business valuations, tracing of separate property, and careful documentation of how assets were acquired and used during the marriage. We work with financial experts when the situation calls for it, and we know how to present complex financial evidence in a way that judges can evaluate clearly.

Parenting Disputes in Contested Divorce

When parents disagree about parenting time or decision-making authority, the court applies the best interests of the child standard — a multi-factor analysis that considers everything from each parent's relationship with the child to the child's adjustment to home, school, and community.

Contested parenting cases are among the most emotionally intense matters we handle. We approach them with the seriousness they deserve: building a clear factual record, anticipating what the other side will argue, and focusing on what Illinois courts actually weigh rather than what feels fair in the moment.

In high-conflict cases, a guardian ad litem may be appointed to represent the child's interests independently. We work effectively in cases involving GALs and know how to present your parenting relationship in a way that holds up to scrutiny.

When There Are Allegations of Hidden Assets

One of the most common complications in contested divorce is a spouse who is not being truthful about finances. This can take the form of underreported income, undisclosed accounts, transfers to family members, inflated business expenses, or deferred compensation that conveniently disappears during the divorce.

We know how to find it. Through formal discovery — interrogatories, depositions, subpoenas to financial institutions — and when necessary, forensic accountants, we build the complete financial picture the court needs to make a fair determination. If your spouse is hiding assets, that's something we can address.

Temporary Orders: Protecting Your Position While the Case Is Pending

Contested divorces take time. In the meantime, life continues — bills need to be paid, children need a stable schedule, and the marital home has to be managed. Temporary orders address these issues while the case is pending, and they matter more than most people expect.

We move quickly on temporary relief when the situation calls for it. If you need an emergency order — for support, parenting time, or occupancy of the home — we know how to pursue it effectively.

What a Contested Divorce Actually Looks Like

The process in a contested Illinois divorce typically moves through initial filings and service, temporary orders, financial disclosure and discovery, negotiation and mediation, and ultimately either a settlement or trial. Most cases resolve before reaching the courtroom. All of them require preparation as if they won't.

Illinois courts require both parties to make full financial disclosure early in the process. We use that disclosure strategically — to identify discrepancies, establish the full scope of marital assets, and build the factual foundation for every argument we make.

Why LaRocque Law?

Contested divorce is what we do. It's not a side practice or an occasional matter — it's the core of our work. We know the courts in Cook, DuPage, and Will County. We know the judges, the procedural requirements, and the strategies that work.

We'll tell you what the law supports, what your case actually looks like, and what it will take to get you where you need to go. If that requires trial, we're ready. If a smart settlement serves you better, we'll get you there.

You don't get a second chance at this. Make sure your representation reflects that.

LaRocque Law serves clients in Cook, DuPage, and Will County.

Book a Consultation.

When divorce becomes contested, the first 30 days matter.

Early decisions about finances, parenting, and litigation strategy set the trajectory for everything that follows.

Schedule a Consultation

Frequently asked questions

Contested Divorce

It depends on the complexity of the issues involved. Cases with significant financial disputes, business interests, or contested parenting arrangements typically take longer than straightforward matters. Most contested divorces resolve within 12 to 24 months, though cases that proceed to trial can take longer. The single biggest factor in timeline is how early a clear strategy is established — cases that start organized move faster.

Illinois is an equitable distribution state — meaning marital property is divided fairly, not necessarily equally. Courts consider factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's financial situation, contributions to marital assets, and the value of non-marital property. When income is non-traditional or assets are complex, accurate valuation becomes critical. We ensure the financial picture is complete before any division is negotiated.

Illinois courts allocate parenting time and decision-making responsibilities based on the best interests of the child. During a contested divorce, temporary parenting orders are often established early to create stability while the case proceeds. We work to build parenting structures that are clear, enforceable, and designed to hold up long after the case closes — not just agreements that get the case settled.