Looking for a divorce lawyer in Chicago?

Get the guidance you need to make sure your divorce ends on fair terms.

We'll get your records organized early and bring every asset into view so you can negotiate from a position of strength.

Confidential. You speak with a licensed attorney, not an intake team.

6,000+
Clients served
15+
Years in practice
200+
Client reviews
100%
Family and matrimonial law, nothing else
What should you do this week?

Divorce outcomes are often shaped before the first court date. Start here, and talk to an attorney before you make any major moves.

01

Collect the records

Bank records, tax returns, pay stubs and credit card statements. Gathering them early prepares you for negotiation or litigation.

02

Map every asset and debt

Real estate, retirement accounts, business interests and debt, including assets held only in your spouse's name.

03

Plan for the in-between

Parenting schedules and temporary financial arrangements carry you until the case is final.

Know the rules before you negotiate

How divorce works in Illinois, from a Chicago divorce lawyer.

Four Illinois rules shape what you keep, what you pay and how the case moves.

Marital property is divided fairly

Illinois doesn't split property automatically 50/50. Courts divide it fairly based on factors like contributions, finances and the length of the marriage.

Maintenance follows a formula

Generally, when combined gross income is under $500,000 and the payor has no prior support obligation, guideline maintenance is 33⅓% of the payor's net income minus 25% of the recipient's, limited so the recipient's income plus maintenance doesn't exceed 40% of combined net income.

Fees can be shared

A court can order one spouse to contribute to the other's attorney's fees, including interim fees while the case is pending.

The case moves in phases

Filing and service, financial disclosure, negotiation, trial if needed, and a judgment that becomes your enforceable roadmap.

Talk to a divorce lawyer(773) 893-0228Confidential. You speak with a licensed attorney, not an intake team.
What we protect

Everything a Chicago divorce lawyer protects for you.

Divorce is often a financial turning point. We protect your assets and pursue fair outcomes on each of these.

Real estate and the marital home

Who keeps it, who buys out whom, and how equity is divided.

Retirement accounts and pensions

Divided correctly, including QDROs and QILDROs.

Business interests

Valued and divided, with buyouts or equalization payments where needed.

Income, bonuses and earning capacity

Including income that is understated or not being earned.

Spousal maintenance

Temporary, short-term or longer-term support based on accurate financial information.

Parenting plans and decision-making

Parenting time and decision-making that support your children's stability.

Child support and expenses

Support and child-related expenses allocated accurately.

Hidden assets and dissipation

Tracing money that was moved, spent or left off the disclosure.

Temporary and emergency orders

Stopping a spouse from draining accounts while the case is pending.

Attorney Tiffany M. Hughes
Why Tiffany M. Hughes

Settle when you can. Go to trial when you have to.

Many divorces resolve through negotiated settlement. If yours can't, we are fully prepared to litigate. Either way, you won't have to chase your lawyer for answers.

Tiffany M. Hughes is the founding and managing partner of the firm, and she concentrates in family and matrimonial law. She has litigated high estate divorce cases, trials under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, trials over the allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, maintenance, complex tax issues and post-decree matters. The firm's attorneys are Tiffany M. Hughes, Brittany Hines, Kaitlyn Kontopoulos and Leslie Fusinato.

  • Super Lawyers Rising Star in eight years between 2016 and 2024 (top 2.5% of Illinois family law attorneys)
  • 10 Best Attorneys in Illinois for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)
  • Top 10 Family Law Firm in Illinois, Attorney and Practice Magazine (2017 through 2020)
  • Illinois Certified Mediator, Northwestern University
  • J.D., The John Marshall Law School; B.A., University of Illinois at Chicago, summa cum laude

An attorney at every consultation

Every consultation is with a licensed divorce and family law attorney. Not a salesperson, not a case manager, not an intake team.

A limited caseload

We limit how many cases each attorney carries at one time, so your case gets real attention instead of a place in a long line.

Courtroom experience

Our founder has litigated high estate divorce cases, complex tax issues, maintenance, child support and trials over parental responsibilities.

Talk to a divorce lawyer(773) 893-0228Confidential. You speak with a licensed attorney, not an intake team.
What happens next

What to expect from your divorce lawyer.

1

Consultation and plan

Talk with a licensed attorney and set your priorities before anything is filed.

2

Filing and disclosure

File, serve, and exchange financial information, with discovery if it's contested.

3

Negotiate

Settlement terms that protect your finances and create enforceable parenting structures.

4

Judgment

Your judgment becomes the enforceable roadmap for your future. Trial if it's needed.

In a client's words
Tiffany was what I needed for my divorce. While I didn't want litigation, I needed someone to protect mine and my kid rights and I wanted someone knowledgeable and ready to fight if needed.
Katie M. · Divorce client

6,000+ clients served over 15+ years, with 200+ client reviews. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Super Lawyers Rising Star, 8 years (Tiffany M. Hughes)10 Best Attorneys in Illinois for Client SatisfactionTop 10 Family Law Firm in Illinois, Attorney and Practice MagazineIllinois Certified MediatorAvvo Clients' Choice
Common questions

Answers, not asterisks.

Divorce questions, answered by a Chicago divorce lawyer.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Chicago?
It depends on how complex and contested your case is. Illinois courts can also order one spouse to contribute to the other's attorney's fees, including during the case. Ask about fees in your confidential consultation.
How long does a divorce take in Illinois?
It depends on complexity, conflict level and court scheduling. Some cases resolve quickly, and others require extended litigation.
Will we split everything 50/50?
Not automatically. Illinois uses equitable distribution, so marital property and debt are divided fairly, not necessarily equally.
How is maintenance calculated?
Generally, when combined gross income is under $500,000 and the payor has no prior support obligation, guideline maintenance is 33⅓% of the payor's net income minus 25% of the recipient's, limited so the recipient's income plus maintenance doesn't exceed 40% of combined net income. Its length depends on the length of the marriage.
What should I do before I file?
Start collecting bank records, tax returns, pay stubs and credit card statements, and list every asset and debt you know about. Then talk to an attorney before you make major moves.
What if my spouse is moving money out of our accounts?
Courts can issue temporary restraining orders and other relief to preserve marital assets while the case is pending.
Do you handle divorces outside Chicago?
Yes. We represent clients throughout the Chicagoland area, including Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, McHenry, Kendall and Grundy counties.
Start on fair terms

Talk to a Chicago divorce lawyer before you make your first move.

Tell us a little about your situation, and our office will reach out to set up your confidential consultation with a licensed attorney.

  • Every consultation is with a licensed attorney
  • Family and matrimonial law, nothing else
  • Serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, McHenry, Kendall and Grundy counties
(773) 893-0228
TiffanyHughes@thugheslaw.com
Two Prudential Plaza, 180 N. Stetson Ave., Suite 3500, Chicago, IL 60601

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