Yes, it is possible that an Illinois court will divide a professional practice in the case of a divorce. However, each divorce is unique, and the court should consider the realities of the practice before it chooses to divide it.
If so, and either of these agreements spells out who retains ownership of the business in the case of a divorce, then the agreement will likely rule. Unless the court finds reason to invalidate a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, you may like your odds of retaining ownership of your practice if you are protected by a legal contract.
750 ILCS 5, also known as the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, holds great influence in divorce proceedings, especially when divorcing parties do not have a preexisting divorce agreement in place. As you may know, this Act calls for the equitable distribution of assets among former partners, but the court should strive to allocate assets fairly and sensibly.
When it comes to a home or a pair of vehicles, it may make sense to divide the assets. So long as the partners acquired the home and vehicle while married, such property will typically be divided 50/50 or be granted to either party as part of the broader division of assets.
When it comes to a professional practice, though, the court should consider the following:
Even if you started your practice prior to getting married, there might be many avenues for an ex-partner to claim that they “contributed” to the practice. Ideally, a partner who has a marital claim to your practice will be willing to accept assets of equivalent value, allowing you to retain sole ownership of your practice (should you so choose).
A divorce may be the most complicated process that you experience, and having a capable attorney may substantially alter the outcome of divorce proceedings. An attorney from Reifman Law Offices will fight for your best interests while working to make the divorce process as pain-free as possible.
Our team can:
Call Reifman Law Offices today for a consultation, or provide your details online to schedule a free consultation. Divorce can be nasty, so hire a law firm that will protect you from needless harm.
We assist individuals and families in Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties.
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