What Types of Witnesses May Be Used in an Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on January 07, 2022 in Divorce

Divorce cases range in complexity. In some divorces, the spouses are able to agree about most if not all divorce issues. They spend little time in court and resolve the divorce relatively easily. Other divorce cases are wrought with conflict. The spouses are unable to reach agreements and the court must intervene. In cases like these, witnesses may provide insight into various aspects of the divorce.

Character Witnesses in a Joliet Divorce

Many divorce cases become “he said – she said” situations. Character witnesses may provide insight into a party’s personality or behavior in a divorce case. The information provided by the witnesses may help the judge reach a decision on the case. For example, a child’s teacher may testify about the parents’ involvement in their child’s education or interactions between the child and the parents. A neighbor may testify about the arguments he or she has witnessed between the parties.

Expert Witnesses in Family Law Cases

Character witnesses are usually laypersons who are providing personal accounts or opinions on the divorce dispute. Expert witnesses, on the other hand, are witnesses with particular qualifications or professional expertise. These individuals are asked to provide their professional opinion about the outcome of the case. Expert witnesses in a divorce may include:

• Financial experts – Many divorce issues revolve around financial issues. Accountants, appraisers, and real estate professionals can help the court understand the value of assets and how assets should be divided. They may provide insight into the financial and tax consequences of a certain decision in a divorce.
• Medical professionals – Psychologists and other mental health professionals may provide insight into a spouse or child’s mental health. Medical doctors may attest to how a party’s medical condition influences the case.
• Vocational experts – Vocational experts may weigh in on a spouse’s vocational prospects and ability to become financially self-supporting. For example, a vocational expert may attest to the time it would take for a stay-at-home parent to gain adequate employment in a spousal maintenance dispute.
• Social Workers – Social workers may evaluate children in a divorce or family law case and provide insight to the court about what case outcome is in the child’s best interest.

Contact a Will County Divorce Lawyer

If you are getting divorced, contact the skilled Naperville divorce attorneys at the Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C. for help. Our knowledgeable team has experience resolving divorce issues both in and out of the courtroom. We can represent you throughout your divorce case. Call 630-355-7776 for a confidential consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=8300000&SeqEnd=10000000