Divorce & Family Law Attorneys in DuPage County, Illinois

Sullivan Taylor & Gumina

1749 S. Naperville Rd
Suite 106
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
USA

(630) 665-7676

(630) 665-8630

http://www.stglawfirm.com/

Published Articles

Law Firm Overview

The law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina is dedicated to providing compassionate family law services to people throughout Chicago's western suburbs. Our attorneys bring an uncommon diversity of personal and legal experience to our clients' family law matters. As former public defenders, teachers, child advocates, state's attorneys, and therapists, we are able to help people work through the legal, emotional, and financial issues associated with complex family law matters.

Our firm takes a team approach to resolving family law matters. By assigning a partner, an associate, and a paralegal to every client, we ensure that there is always someone in the office to answer our clients' questions and resolve legal matters. In addition, if necessary, we employ service counselors, business evaluators, forensic accountants, financial planners, psychiatrists, and psychologists to ensure our clients receive the best possible legal advice and representation possible.

We are strongly committed to building relationships with our clients. We understand that family law matters do not end when a divorce is final. Child custody and child support issues often continue until the children are in college and spousal support matters can continue for a lifetime. Our services go beyond the initial divorce proceeding. We ensure that our clients have the resources to manage divorce settlements, with an eye toward the secure enjoyment of their life.

Our lawyers serve a number of legal and community organizations that show our dedication to serving the needs of our community. Some of those organizations include, Family Shelter, Inc, YMCA, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Collaborative Law Institute.

Languages: English, French

Practice Areas

The law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina represents clients in regard to the following:

- Divorce

Whether our clients are planning for divorce, or divorce proceedings have been initiated by their spouse, we are have the knowledge and experience to help protect our clients' financial and emotional interests. There are three primary approaches to divorce: litigation, Mediation, and Collaborative law. While we regularly use alternative methods to settle divorce issues, we recognize that disputes involving child custody, child support and spousal support, and property division often necessitate divorce litigation. Our divorce lawyers strive to not only help our clients resolve divorce disputes, but to educate them about the divorce process and prepare them for the future. During our initial consultation, we listen to the specifics of our client's situation, provide tools for the client to access their current and future financial needs, and help them project realistic outcomes based on Illinois divorce law.

- Child and Spousal Support

In most cases, child support payments are determined by Illinois child support statutes. Maintenance (alimony) is much more complex. At the law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, in Wheaton, Illinois, our attorneys have an in-depth understanding of child and spousal support matters as they relate to Illinois divorce cases. We understand the formula used and can provide you with an estimate of how much child support you can expect to pay (or receive), as well as the legal obligations involved when illness or loss of employment affects your ability to pay. Regardless of whether you are involved in a divorce or need a post-divorce modification of child support or spousal maintenance payments, we can help.

- Child Custody and Visitation

Our overriding concern in child custody and parenting time issues is what is in the best interest of the children. A variety of custody arrangements can be worked out to meet the needs of the child: joint custody, sole custody, residential custody, and shared residential custody. We take significant care in handling parenting time or visitation issues. We recognize that non-custodial parents, and in many cases grandparents may have a right of access to the children. We have several tools available to help parents work out parenting schedules and to protect grandparents' rights. In addition, we regularly work with parenting coaches and child psychologists to help our clients and children deal with the emotional and confusing issues associated with divorce. We also have experience dealing with international child custody matters. Our attorneys are experienced with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction as well as the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). We are committed to serving the needs of children and preserving their access to both parents.

- Property Division

Property division is often one of the most complex matters associated with a divorce. Determining which property is marital property and what is an equitable distribution of that property can be contentious and may require the help of professionals in a number of disciplines. At the law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, in Wheaton, Illinois, we have extensive experience handling simple and complex property division matters for clients throughout DuPage County, Kane County, and Will County. Our firm regularly works with accountants, forensic accounts, certified business appraisers, and other experts in determining the debts and assets involved in a division of marital property.

- Business Evaluations

Under Illinois state law, most marital property acquired or accrued during the course of a marriage is subject to division. In cases where you, your spouse, or both of you own a business, determining the fair value of your company will impact child support, spousal maintenance, and the terms of your divorce settlement. At the law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, our attorneys work closely with certified business appraisers, forensic accountants, and other financial experts in determining the value of a closely held or family-owned business. Since the value of a business can lead to allegations of under-reported value or an attempt to claim it is worth more than it actually is, accurately determining the assets and debts against your company is essential. We have the experience and professional resources needed to determine what a company is worth.

- Division of Debt in Divorce

Dividing debt during a divorce is just as important as the division of marital property. Any loans or lines of credit you and your spouse jointly signed become your joint responsibility. Additionally, depending on your income, assets, health, and personal situation, you could be held accountable for debt on credit cards and loans that are not in your name but were incurred during the course of your marriage. At the law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, our attorneys work closely with clients in matters related to the division of debt during a divorce. We take steps to prevent you from being saddled with debt that isn't yours and propose measures for negotiating a settlement that doesn't leave you at a disadvantage.

- Adoption

We understand that bringing a family together through adoption is a joyous occasion. It can also be an intensive process. Our attorneys serve as compassionate counsel to people working through stepparent adoptions, grandparent adoption, interfamily adoption, and uncontested adoptions. One of the most intensive steps in the adoption process, especially for stepparent adoptions and grandparent adoptions, is locating the non-custodial parent and getting them to relinquish their parental rights. While it is more complicated to adopt a child when a parent can not be located, out attorneys are ready to assist you in the adoption process, from our first meeting through the issuing of the adoption decree.

- Paternity

Determinations of paternity can have a significant impact on a variety of family law matters, including child support, parenting time, as well as inheritance issues. At the law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, in Wheaton, Illinois, we are dedicated to helping parents establish the paternity of their children. Paternity can be established in a number of ways, through a DNA test, by signing a statement of paternity, or by acting in a manner that indicates that you are the parent of the child. Typically, establishing paternity is only a step toward a larger goal, such as obtaining child custody, parenting time, financial support, or medical care for a child. We have also helped a number of unmarried couples establish the paternity of their children. Our firm regularly represents fathers and mothers in efforts to establish paternity or to legally disprove paternity.

- Pre-Nuptial Agreements

Pre-marital agreements are common for people of all professions, people entering second marriages, and individuals with assets or children from a previous marriage they would like to protect. At the law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, in Wheaton, Illinois, our lawyers regularly provide advice and legal representation to people seeking prenuptial agreements prior to marriage.

- Post Divorce Modifications

Almost any part of a divorce decree can be modified if the financial or living conditions of one of the parties changes significantly. The most common reasons for seeking post-divorce modifications are related to the loss of a job, requests for changes in child custody or child support, parental relocations, and altered living conditions of one of the parents, including co-habitation or remarriage. When modifying divorce agreements, the overriding concern of the courts is the best interests of the child. We work closely with our clients seeking post-divorce modifications to help them understand both the law, and the likelihood of obtaining a modification. While most divorce modifications are related to custodial or support issues of children, maintenance (alimony) provisions can also be altered. In addition, property agreements and debt distribution can also be altered.

- Domestic Partnerships

While domestic partners do not enjoy the same privileges and legal advantages afforded married couples, many of the same benefits can be achieved through alternate means. At the law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, our attorneys explain what sorts of contractual relationships domestic partners can enter into in order to secure the custody of children, transfer property upon death, arrange for healthcare benefits, and other issues. In each case, documenting the relationship between the parties involved and developing private contracts early on is essential. We can evaluate your current situation, discuss the legal options available to you, and indicate what legal steps need to be taken to achieve your long term goals.

The law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina counsels and represents domestic partners in regard to the following: Co-habitation agreements, Adoptions, Child custody issues, and Separation agreements.

- Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a serious criminal offense that can result in jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record if convicted. When violence or the threat of violence accompanies a divorce or other family law disputes, a restraining order or order of protection may become necessary. At the law firm of Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, our attorneys represent clients in cases involving allegations of domestic violence. We also assist clients in matters pertaining to restraining orders and orders of protection when stalking, harassment, or the threat of immediate physical harm is involved. In both instances, involving law enforcement early on is essential in order to ensure you and your family is protected. There are legal options and remedies available for individuals and families confronted with domestic violence. We can help.

- Mediation and Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is an alternative method of resolving divorce disputes. Unlike traditional, adversarial methods of resolving issues such as child custody, parenting time, child support, property division, and maintenance (alimony), collaborative law offers an opportunity to cooperatively work through complex family law matters. Beyond avoiding the animosity associated with divorce litigation, Mediation and Collaborative law offer a number of significant benefits. Because decisions are made outside the traditional legal system, the divorce records are private and not part of the public record. Mediated and collaborative agreements typically require fewer post-divorce modifications, because the parties agreed to the terms. They also tend to result in less animosity, making jointing parenting decisions easer once the agreement is in place.

Additional Practice Areas: Post Divorce Modifications, Domestic Partnerships, Restraining Orders, Division of Debt in Divorce, Business Evaluations in Divorce, Property Division

Associates

	Ms. Emily R. Carrara Senior Associate Adoption, Appellate Practice, Child Support and Custody, Family Law, Guardianship		Ms. Anique K. Drouin Associate Child Support and Custody, Divorce, Family Law, Parentage
	Mr. Joseph F. Emmerth Associate Child Support and Custody, Family Law, Parentage, Guardianship, Visitation		Mr. Sean Martin McCumber Associate Adoption, Child Support and Custody, Divorce, Family Law, Paternity