The skilled attorneys of Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin serve a diverse array of clients who depend on their experience, reputation and steady hand to protect their rights and guide them through complex and often emotional legal issues. Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin represents men and women on either side of the following family issues throughout the State of Illinois:

• Divorce
• Child Custody
• Child Visitation
• Child Support
• Spousal Support (Alimony)
• Domestic Violence
• Other

When You Need Straight Answers and Compassionate, Supportive Guidance:
A divorce, child custody case or other family law case does not always have to be a combative and stressful experience.  Even when the issues are complex, your future is at stake and emotions are running high, the attorneys of Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin will protect your legal rights while avoiding unnecessary conflict and heartache. Though known for their aggressive and proactive style, they also believe in reasonableness and cooperation.

The Importance of Child Support:
If children are involved in a divorce, Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin believes in putting their interests first. Child support covers everything a child needs, and even more, during the growth and formative years. A parent’s first and principal obligation is to support his or her minor children according to the parent’s circumstances and station in life, and children should share in the standard of living of both parents. 

Thus, the amount of a child support award is more than a question of bare necessities. If the child has a wealthy parent, that child is entitled to, and therefore needs something more than the bare necessities of life. Where the supporting parent enjoys a lifestyle that far exceeds the custodial parent’s living standard, child support must to some degree reflect that more opulent lifestyle.

"At Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin, our family law attorneys understand your need for straight answers and supportive guidance. Knowledge is the first step to making the right decisions -  so we listen carefully to your concerns, answer your questions and explain your rights.  We understand that this is a difficult time in your life, and we truly care what happens to you. It's our goal that each client reaches the most efficient and effective conclusion to this very difficult process."

- Illinois Family Law Attorney Andrew P. Cores

If you or a loved one is involved in a divorce or child custody case and you need the help of an experienced Chicago or Wheaton, Illinois family attorney, call the lawyers of Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin today at 866-736-2003, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Divorce:
A court of law is the only way one can obtain a divorce decree, dissolution, legal separation, nullity or other form of terminating a marriage.  Other than the termination of the marital estate, the court also has jurisdiction to resolve other issues that are intertwined in the existing marriage which include, but are not limited to: custody and visitation rights, division of property of the marital estate, spousal support, child support, restraining orders, etc. 

Child Support:
Child support is a periodic payment made to a custodial parent from a non-custodial parent to help compensate a child's living expenses, i.e. food, clothes, etc., and any other related debts.  When one parent is awarded sole custody, as in the event of a divorce, the non-custodial parent is required to fulfill his or her child support obligation by making set payments, whereas the custodial parent meets his or her support obligation through the custody itself.  When parents are awarded joint custody in a divorce, however, the support obligation is shared and is based on a ratio of each parent's income and the amount of time the child spends with each parent. 

The obligation to support minor children cannot be waived by either parent and is a right enjoyed by the child, not the parent.  Each state has guidelines that factor the amount of child support, such as the amount of time spent with the child, the income of both parents and the standard of living the child is accustomed to.  The court may allow deductions for items such as catastrophic medical expenses and travel expenses for visitation. 

Child Custody:
Custody is the charge and control of a child, including the right to make all major decisions such as education, religious upbringing, training, health and welfare.  Custody usually refers to a combination of physical custody and legal custody.  Many factors influence an award of custody and the way a case is presented in court can have a large impact on the result for you and your children.  If you are awarded the children as a primary custodial parent, it has far reaching consequences both to you and to their well-being and development. 

Jurisdictional Issues:
When faced with a relocating custodial parent, the court will general require that parent to give the other parent a minimum amount of notice prior to the anticipated move.  This notice gives the non-custodial parent an opportunity to go to court and seek orders restraining the relocation of the child. 

These so-called move away cases have gone back and forth on allowing and disallowing a move by the custodial parent with the minor children for over 20 years.  While the best interests of the child have always been central to the decision, the uncertainty has made this area murky.  Prior to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, when parents sought an advantage in a custody tug-of-war, they would move to a "friendly" jurisdiction (that is, a region with a history of rulings favorable to their position). However, after the UCCJA was adopted by all 50 states, family law courts were forced to defer jurisdiction to the home state, and this custody battle tactic lost favor.

Property and Debt Division:
Marital property attained during marriage, regardless of whose name it is under, can be divided.  Marital property can include real estate (including a home bought in contemplation of marriage), pension plans, vehicles, bank accounts, income tax refunds and/or household furnishings.  However, property that is inherited by one spouse is not considered marital property, i.e. a family business or estate.  If you are contractually bound with your ex-spouse on a debt, the creditor can require the entire payment of that debt from your share of the community property even though the divorce decree assigns the debt to your ex-spouse.  Depending on the terms of your divorce decree, you may be able to have certain support obligations under the divorce decree determined to be non-dischargeable by the bankruptcy court or in state court. 

Spousal Support (Alimony):
Alimony is temporary or permanent financial support paid from one separated spouse to the other, either in one lump sum or in installments.  Alimony is designed to provide the lower-income spouse with money for living expenses over and above the money provided by child support.  Alimony differs from child support because it is at the discretion of the judge.  Child support is usually determined by state-sanctioned guidelines. 

There are several factors a judge considers when deciding whether to grant alimony. These differ from state to state, of course, but they usually involve things like the parties' relative ability to earn money, both now and in the future; their respective age and health; the length of the marriage; the kind of property involved, and the conduct of the parties. In general, about the only time a judge will award alimony in most states is where one spouse has been economically dependent on the other spouse for most of a lengthy marriage.

If you or a loved one is involved in a divorce or child custody case and you need the help of an experienced Chicago or Wheaton, Illinois family attorney, call the lawyers of Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin today at 866-736-2003, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange your free initial consultation.

Professional Profiles

Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin places top priority on representing clients vigorously and ethically to achieve the best results possible. The Firm provides a supportive atmosphere where clients can feel completely comfortable knowing they are in the capable hands of knowledgeable, experienced attorneys who take your case seriously.

If you or a loved one is involved in a divorce or child custody case and you need the help of an experienced Chicago or Wheaton, Illinois family attorney, call the lawyers of Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin today at 866-736-2003 or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

FIRM ADDRESS:
Esp Kreuzer Cores & McLaughlin
400 South County Farm Road, Suite 200
Wheaton, IL 60187

55 West Monroe Street, Suite 3700
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 866-736-2003

Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
Appointments available after-hours

FIRM PRACTICE AREAS:

• Divorce
• Child Support
• Child Custody
• Jurisdictional Issues
• Child Visitation
• Spousal Support (Alimony)
• Property and Debt Division
• Paternity
• Adoption

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:

Andrew P. Cores

EDUCATION:
Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, 1993

BAR ADMISSION:
Illinois, 1993


Matthew M. Grob

EDUCATION:
Northern Illinois University School of Law, JD, 2002
Northern Illinois University, BS in Arts, 1999

COURTS ADMITTED:
State of Illinois

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• DuPage Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association

Wendy M. Musielak

EDUCATION:
DePaul University, JD, 2003
DePaul University, BS in Science and Commerce, 1999

COURTS ADMITTED:
State of Illinois

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• DuPage Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association