Spousal Maintenance and Alimony Attorneys in Lake & McHenry Counties

Trusted Legal Guidance for Financial Support After Divorce

Divorce often brings major financial changes, especially when one spouse has relied on the other for income during the marriage. At AKL Legal, LLC, our experienced divorce attorneys in Grayslake help clients throughout Lake and McHenry Counties understand their rights and options regarding spousal maintenance, also known as alimony.

Spousal maintenance is not automatically granted in every divorce. Courts must determine whether financial support is appropriate based on the unique circumstances of each case. Our attorneys are skilled at evaluating these factors and advocating for fair outcomes—whether you’re seeking support or defending against an unfair demand.

To speak with an experienced Illinois spousal maintenance lawyer, contact AKL Legal, LLC at 847-262-9888 for a confidential consultation.

How Spousal Maintenance Works in Illinois

Under Illinois law, spousal maintenance (formerly called alimony) is financial support paid by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce. The goal is to help ensure both parties can maintain a reasonable standard of living once the marriage ends.

When determining whether maintenance should be awarded, courts review multiple factors, including:

  • The length of the marriage

  • Each spouse’s income, earning capacity, and employability

  • Contributions one spouse made to the other’s education or career

  • The standard of living established during the marriage

  • Each spouse’s age, health, and financial resources

  • The division of marital property and debts

 Judges have broad discretion in these cases, but when an award is granted, Illinois law provides a formula to determine the amount and duration of payments based on each spouse’s income and the length of the marriage.

Temporary and Long-Term Spousal Support

In some cases, a spouse may be entitled to temporary maintenance while the divorce is pending. This can help cover essential living expenses until a final order is entered. Once the divorce is finalized, the court may order rehabilitative maintenance (short-term support to allow a spouse to pursue education or job training) or permanent maintenance when long-term support is necessary due to age, health, or other factors.

Our Lake County and McHenry County alimony lawyers help clients ensure that maintenance awards are fair and accurately reflect each party’s financial situation.

Modifying or Ending Spousal Maintenance

Life changes, and so can financial obligations. If your circumstances or your former spouse’s circumstances change significantly—such as job loss, a major raise, or remarriage—you may be eligible to modify or terminate spousal maintenance.

At AKL Legal, LLC, our attorneys assist clients with post-decree modifications to ensure support orders remain equitable and enforceable.

Misconceptions About Alimony in Illinois

Many people believe spousal support is a punishment for one spouse’s behavior or fault in the marriage. In Illinois, however, marital misconduct is not a factor in determining maintenance. The court’s focus is on financial need and ability to pay, not who caused the divorce.

Our Grayslake divorce lawyers provide honest, informed guidance to help clients understand what to expect and how to make strategic, well-informed decisions about spousal support.

Contact the Grayslake Spousal Maintenance Attorneys at AKL Legal, LLC

If you are seeking or contesting spousal support in Lake County, McHenry County, or the surrounding areas, the attorneys at AKL Legal, LLC are here to help. We provide compassionate yet assertive representation designed to protect your financial future.

 Call us at 847-262-9888 or contact our Grayslake office today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Illinois spousal maintenance attorneys.