Family Law and Divorce Attorney in Will County, IL
Local. Experienced. In Your Corner.
When you need a Will County family law attorney—whether you’re navigating a divorce, child support, or the adoption process—the decisions made now will shape your life for years to come. At Mulyk Laho Law, we’ve guided Illinois families through these moments for decades, and we bring the experience, resources, and personal attention your case deserves.
55 Years of Combined Experience
Services in English, Spanish, and Arabic
Fair and Transparent Billing
Free Attorney Consultation
Divorce Attorneys Serving Will County, IL
Will County covers a lot of ground—in every sense. It’s home to a major urban center in Joliet, established working-class communities, rapidly growing suburbs, and stretches of rural Illinois all within the same county lines. The families we represent here reflect that range: dual-income households in Plainfield, small business owners in Joliet, tradespeople in Lockport, and everything in between.
Our Will County divorce lawyers bring 55 years of combined experience to every case, backed by a team that includes child welfare specialists, forensic accountants, and investigators. We appear regularly in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court and know Joliet’s judges, local rules, and scheduling expectations firsthand. We also serve clients in English, Spanish, and Arabic.
Whatever family law matter you’re facing—a straightforward, uncontested divorce or a high-conflict case with complex finances—we have the depth to handle it and the local knowledge to do it well.
Our Family Law and Divorce Attorneys
Rebecca A. Laho
Partner
Sharon R. Mulyk
Partner
Patrick P. Azer
Attorney
Caroline M. Smith
Attorney
Client Reviews
Types of Divorce Cases
No two Will County divorces are alike. A retired couple with a family home and multiple investment accounts faces a very different process than a shorter marriage with contested parenting arrangements. Our experienced divorce lawyers are equipped to handle the full range of cases. We listen and give you honest advice on which path is best suited for your family’s situation.
Uncontested
Both spouses agree on all major issues before going before a judge. Even amicable divorces carry real risk without careful legal review—particularly around retirement account transfers, real property, and parenting plans that need to hold up down the road.
Mediated
Mediation is typically faster, less expensive, and far more private than litigation. Our experienced divorce attorneys can help you reach a fair, legally binding agreement with minimal stress.
Contested
When spouses can't agree on parenting, property, or support, the case proceeds through the 12th Judicial Circuit. With 55 years of combined litigation experience, we're ready to fight for you every step of the way.
Complex
Will County's economic diversity means we regularly handle divorces involving business ownership, real estate, self-employment income, and pensions. Our team includes forensic accountants and investigators who make sure nothing is overlooked.
Divorce with Children
When children are involved in your Will County divorce, the stakes couldn’t be higher—and the results will impact your family for years to come. Our family law attorneys understand how to navigate these complex legal and emotional issues, protecting your parental rights and the long-term wellbeing of your children.
Child Custody and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
In Illinois, what was once called “child custody” is now the “allocation of parental responsibilities.” This covers both decision-making authority (education, healthcare, religion, extracurricular activities) and parenting time. All determinations are made based on the best interests of the child.
Our attorneys are tenacious advocates for parenting arrangements that protect your relationship with your children and serve their long-term interests.
Child Support
Illinois uses an income shares model to calculate child support, taking into account both parents’ net incomes, parenting time schedules, health insurance, work-related childcare, and other costs. When a parent is self-employed, paid in cash, or owns a business, verifying income can become the most contested part of the entire case.
Our attorneys are backed by forensic accountants and investigators who know how to document income accurately and challenge numbers that don’t add up—so your child support order reflects reality, not what one spouse chose to report.
Additional Family Law Services in Will County, IL
Divorce is the most common reason families come to us, but it’s far from the only one. Mulyk Laho Law handles the full range of family law matters for clients throughout Joliet, Will County, and the surrounding region.
Adoption
We guide families through agency, private, stepparent, and relative adoptions with care and efficiency.
Paternity
Establishing, contesting, or modifying paternity to protect the legal rights of children and parents alike.
Civil Unions
Helping couples establish civil unions and understand their legal rights and protections under Illinois law.
Guardian ad Litem
Experienced representation in cases where the court appoints an independent advocate for your child’s best interests.
Orders of Protection
When safety is at stake, we move quickly. Our attorneys are experienced in obtaining emergency orders of protection and temporary restraining orders for clients and their children.
Prenuptial Agreements
Drafting and reviewing agreements that protect your individual assets and clarify financial rights before they become a source of conflict.
Serving Families Throughout Will County
Joliet, IL
As the county seat and home to the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, Joliet is where virtually all Will County family law cases are heard. Our attorneys appear there regularly and know its judges, schedules, and procedural expectations.
Bolingbrook, IL
Bolingbrook is one of the most ethnically and economically diverse communities in Illinois. Our multilingual services and experience across the full range of family law matters make us a natural fit for families here.
Plainfield, IL
Plainfield has grown rapidly over the past two decades, and with that growth comes a wave of families navigating divorce, co-parenting arrangements, and child support for the first time. Our attorneys are always focused on protecting your family’s stability and the wellbeing of your children, backed by social workers and child welfare specialists.
Naperville, IL
Naperville consistently ranks among the highest household incomes in Illinois, and divorces here frequently involve dual high incomes, stock compensation, business ownership, and significant real estate. Our team, including forensic accountants and investigators, is well equipped to handle that complexity.
Your Local Courthouse
Will County Courthouse
12th Judicial Circuit Court
100 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432
Why Choose Mulyk Laho Law?
We know that hiring an attorney can feel like a leap of faith. When you work with Mulyk Laho Law, you can feel confident that you made the right choice.
55 Years of Combined Experience: Our attorneys have been representing families in Will County courts for decades. We know the 12th Judicial Circuit, its judges, and its processes—experience that translates directly into better outcomes for clients.
Mediation and Litigation: We take the time to understand all the details of your case and recommend the right legal pathway for your family. If a mediated resolution serves your interests, we pursue it efficiently. If a fight is necessary, our experienced divorce attorneys are ready for trial.
A Full Support Team Behind Every Case: We work diligently to build your strongest possible case, supported by skilled investigators, forensic accountants, child psychologists, and social workers.
Your Children Come First: We understand that both the outcome of your case and the process itself will impact your family for life. We pursue resolutions that protect your kids now and set them up for stability in the years ahead.
Multilingual Services: We serve Will County's diverse communities with skilled family law representation in English, Spanish, and Arabic.
Free Initial Consultation: Speak with one of our attorneys at no charge, with no obligation. Everything discussed is confidential. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your options and what comes next.
Will County Family Law FAQ
How do I file for divorce in Will County, Illinois?
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state—the only grounds required are irreconcilable differences, and there is no mandatory waiting period before filing.
To file in Will County, at least one spouse must have been an Illinois resident for 90 days before filing. You’ll submit a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at the Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson Street in Joliet. Filing can be done in person or electronically through the Illinois Courts e-filing portal.
Once filed, your spouse must be formally served (or sign a Waiver of Service if you’re proceeding by agreement) and the court will set an initial case management conference.
How long does a divorce take in Will County?
The timeline depends primarily on whether the divorce is contested.
- An uncontested divorce in which both parties are fully aligned can often be resolved in 2-4 months once all paperwork is complete.
- Contested divorces typically run 12-24 months, and complex cases involving significant assets or custody disputes can take longer.
Our attorneys work efficiently within the 12th Judicial Circuit’s scheduling calendar and local rules to move cases forward without sacrificing the quality of your outcome.
Will I have to appear in court?
Most Will County divorces involve some court appearances, though the level of involvement varies significantly.
- In an uncontested divorce, a judge must approve your agreement, but this is typically a brief, administrative proceeding.
- In contested matters, court appearances are typically required—sometimes multiple hearings over the course of the case.
- For parenting disputes, the 12th Judicial Circuit’s mediation process must generally be completed before the court will schedule a full hearing on custody or parenting time issues.
The Will County Courthouse does allow Zoom appearances for certain routine matters. Our attorneys will advise you well in advance on when your physical presence matters and when remote attendance is appropriate.
What is Will County's approach to mediation in custody cases?
The 12th Judicial Circuit requires parties in contested parenting matters to work through a mediation process before proceeding to a judicial hearing. A court-approved family mediator helps both sides work toward a parenting agreement in a confidential setting, meaning nothing discussed can be used against you in court.
Reaching an agreement through mediation is almost always faster, less expensive, and less disruptive to your family than litigation. Our attorneys prepare you thoroughly before any mediation session and review every proposed agreement before it’s finalized.
How is child support calculated in Illinois?
Illinois uses an income shares model under 750 ILCS 5/505. Both parents’ monthly net incomes are combined, a base support obligation is determined from the Illinois schedule, and that amount is divided proportionally. The calculation adjusts for each parent’s parenting time, health insurance, and work-related childcare costs.
Will County’s workforce is economically diverse—tradespeople, small business owners, C-suite executives, and gig workers all appear in our cases—and accurately establishing income is often the most disputed element of a child support calculation. When income is difficult to verify or one parent appears to be underreporting, our forensic accountants and investigators help ensure the numbers reflect reality.
Can a divorce decree be changed after it is finalized?
Yes. In Illinois, child support, maintenance (alimony), and parenting arrangements can all be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Common triggers include a meaningful change in income, a parent seeking to relocate, remarriage, or a significant shift in a child’s needs or schedule.
Our team represents Will County clients both seeking modifications and contesting them throughout post-decree proceedings.
Do I need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce in Will County?
Illinois does not require you to have legal representation. However, even when spouses are in full agreement, there are risks that aren’t obvious to people who haven’t been through the process before—particularly around how retirement accounts are divided (most transfers require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO), how real property is handled, and whether your parenting plan is drafted in a way that will hold up down the line.
We offer a free attorney consultation, so there’s no reason not to call. It’s worth understanding what you’ll be signing before it becomes a permanent court order.
Do you handle adoptions in Will County?
Absolutely. Will County has a high volume of adoption cases compared to neighboring counties, and our attorneys have guided many families through the process across all adoption types: agency, private, stepparent, and relative adoptions. Each path has its own legal requirements and timeline, and we help families navigate the process efficiently and with care.
If you’re considering adoption in Will County, a free consultation is a good place to start. Our experienced adoption attorneys can walk you through what to expect for your specific situation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Our attorneys are ready to hear your story, explain your options in plain terms, and bring our years of Will County family court experience to work on your behalf.
This call is free and confidential.