Answer: If the parties are able to reach an agreement on all of the various items that must be resolved in their particular case, they embody the terms of their agreement in a document, which they submit to the court for approval and entry. This document is their Marital Settlement Agreement, also known as “MSA.”
A marital settlement agreement gives the parties a one-time opportunity to author their future as best they can under their particular circumstances. It may be as creative as the parties and their lawyers are imaginative. As long as it conforms to what the law allows, the parties are free to make the shoe fit their individual needs and concerns.
Divorcing spouses are much better off making their own decisions about who should give (or get) what from whom, rather than leaving these personal choices up to a judge that doesn’t know them or their preferences.
Most people prefer to tailor make their own outcome and we hope you will be able to convince your soon-to-be ex spouse to cooperate with you to get this done smoothly, on time, and on budget.
We welcome hearing from you and we invite your questions. There is no obligation. No one will ever know that we spoke or what we discussed. Everything you say is privileged, confidential, and completely classified. We do not maintain a mailing list and will not contact you unless you ask us to.
Calling us is easy. Ask for Richard or Kari (Oak Brook 630-928-0600), or email us at jk@illinoislegal.com or kc@illinoislegal.com.
If we are in court or in a meeting when you call, one of us will personally get back to you as quickly as possible. We are extremely discreet with callbacks and reply emails. Just leave your name and a secure email address or personal cell phone number.
Richard and Kari are staunch advocates of the non-court approach to divorce, and are also active and seasoned litigators with over 70 years of combined trial experience in the Illinois divorce courts of Cook, DuPage, and Will counties.