Rose Tarbhai Law Group represents people considering divorce, responding to a newly filed case, negotiating a complete settlement, or preparing disputed issues for hearing or trial. Founder Mia Tarbhai combines family-law experience with the litigation discipline she developed at a major national law firm.
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, but that does not make the process automatic or simple. A case may require temporary orders, sworn financial disclosure, discovery, valuation work, parenting negotiations, mediation, and—when agreement is not possible—focused courtroom advocacy. The right sequence depends on what must be protected now and what a durable final judgment must accomplish.
Scope of representation
Issues an Illinois divorce may need to resolve
- Classification and division of marital and non-marital property
- The family residence, refinancing, sale terms, and allocation of equity
- Maintenance, child support, health insurance, and child-related expenses
- Parenting time and significant decision-making responsibilities
- Business interests, retirement accounts, investments, and complex compensation
- Temporary possession, payment, support, and conduct orders while the case is pending
- Discovery, settlement negotiations, mediation, trial preparation, and final judgment language
How we approach the work
A deliberate path from uncertainty to resolution
Early work should identify immediate risk without manufacturing conflict. That may mean preserving account statements, understanding cash flow, reviewing titles and beneficiary designations, documenting the children's established routines, and deciding whether temporary relief is actually necessary.
Settlement is strongest when it is built on verified information and precise language. If trial becomes necessary, the same preparation creates a coherent record: admissible documents, credible testimony, realistic proposed relief, and a theory that connects the facts to the governing Illinois factors.
Illinois family-law insights
Read before your next decision.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the first questions.
Can my spouse stop me from getting divorced in Illinois?
Generally, no. A spouse may contest financial, parenting, or procedural issues and may cause delay, but one spouse ordinarily cannot veto the dissolution itself once Illinois jurisdiction, service, and the statutory requirements are satisfied.
Does an Illinois divorce require a trial?
No. Many cases resolve through direct negotiation, mediation, or a pretrial process. A judge decides only the issues the parties cannot resolve by agreement.
How long does a divorce take in Cook County?
There is no single timeline. Service, financial disclosure, discovery, valuation, parenting disputes, motion practice, and court availability all affect duration. A focused issue list and timely disclosure often matter more than the label contested or uncontested.
Should I move out before filing?
That decision can affect safety, parenting logistics, expenses, and negotiating leverage. Unless immediate safety requires action, obtain fact-specific advice before making a move that is hard to reverse.