Posted on May 14,2020 in Illinois Divorce

Deciding to get a divorce can be one of the most difficult decisions of anyone’s life. For those couples who have been married a long time or who have children, it can be devastating. The mere thought of separating and starting over can be daunting. For some parents and kids, the marital home may have sentimental meaning. This is especially true if the couple purchased the house together after they got married and it is where they raised their family. However, the division of property is one of the main issues that needs to be resolved in any divorce. That does not automatically mean the house will have to be sold, but it is a possibility. Assuming both spouses own the home together, there are two options: sell or stay. Deciding who gets to stay can be the source of much conflict during the proceedings. A skilled divorce attorney can help figure out what is the best option.  

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 07,2020 in Illinois Divorce

Some people have a tendency to become addicted to certain substances or activities. This can include alcohol, drugs, gambling, or pornography. Addictions to these things can often lead to the demise of a marriage. In many cases, controlled substances can change the addicted spouse’s personality and make him or her physically and emotionally abusive to his or her partner or child. In other situations, a spouse may dissipate assets to sustain his or her gambling problem. If you are considering filing for divorce and your spouse has an addiction, it is important to take certain precautions in order to protect your best interests as well as your child’s during the proceedings

Preparation Is Key

Deciding to legally end your marriage takes courage, but it also requires careful planning if your spouse has an addiction. Preparation is key to make the process as smooth as possible, even if your spouse tries to contest the divorce. Here are a few ways to mitigate the stress of divorcing an addict: 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 29,2020 in Child Support

When contemplating divorce, you may be concerned about how it will affect your children. Even if you and your spouse have been unhappy for years, you may have put off filing to protect your kids’ feelings. Although you may think this is in the best interests of your children, it is sometimes better to end the marriage. Kids can sense the constant tension and turmoil, which can be detrimental to their emotional well-being. Once a couple decides to divorce, there are many issues that need to be addressed, including the division of marital property, child support, spousal maintenance, and the allocation of parental responsibilities.

Child support payments are court-ordered, but in some cases, a parent may fall behind on payments or fail to pay altogether. Since the other parent relies on this financial assistance to care for the children, it may be necessary to enforce the order. If you are struggling to collect child support payments, a skilled family law attorney can advise you of your legal options.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 22,2020 in Child Custody & Allocation of Parental Responsibility

Unfortunately, not every marriage ends happily ever after as they do in the fairytales. In some cases, spouses simply grow apart or cannot reconcile due to infidelity or an addiction problem. When a couple has a child with a physical or mental disability, it can also put a significant strain on their relationship. In these family situations, the decision to divorce can be especially difficult. The thought of caring for a special needs child as a single parent can be overwhelming. On top of the usual issues that need to be resolved, such as the allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, and the division of property or assets, there can be a lot of uncertainty about caring for your child as a divorced parent.   

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 15,2020 in Illinois Divorce

Divorce can happen after three years or 30 years of marriage. Every relationship is unique, and there are many factors that cause the breakdown of a relationship. Some of these may include adultery, addiction, financial problems, and even mental health issues. In some cases, a spouse may be blindsided by the news that his or her partner wants to end the marriage. Divorce under the best of circumstances can be challenging, so for those individuals who are not prepared, it can be overwhelming

There are many issues that need to be resolved, including how all the couple’s possessions will be divided. Unfortunately, this can be a contentious process, especially when one party is not being truthful. The dissipation of assets occurs when one spouse intentionally squanders or destroys marital property to prevent the other spouse from getting his or her fair share of the marital estate.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 06,2020 in Child Custody & Allocation of Parental Responsibility

There is no denying that a divorce can be challenging even if both spouses mutually agree it is for the best. The decision to end a marriage may be especially difficult if a couple has a child together. In many cases, both parents want to spend as much time with their child as possible and it is one of the reasons they often put off filing for divorce. Every state has laws governing divorce and child-related issues, and Illinois is no exception. The allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody) and parenting time (visitation) must be determined before a divorce is finalized. It is possible for the custodial parent to relocate, so it is crucial to know the rights each parent has under Illinois divorce laws.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 25,2020 in Child Custody & Allocation of Parental Responsibility

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people on a global scale, from China to Italy to the United States, as well as many other countries. This novel (new) coronavirus is highly contagious and results in respiratory illness that can range from mild to life-threatening. Those who have pre-existing medical conditions or who are over the age of 65 are reportedly at a higher risk of fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aggressively responding to the worldwide outbreak of the virus, with updates and guidelines for citizens to follow. Some of these directives include isolation or quarantine orders if someone tests positive for the virus. During this unsettling time, parents who are divorced may be worried how it will affect their parenting plans

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 20,2020 in Illinois Divorce

With all the issues your divorce might bring – child custody, child support, and more – the division of marital assets can seem especially complicated. If you and/or your spouse own a business, the proceedings can be even more complex. Illinois is an “equitable distribution” state, which means a court will determine how to split assets fairly instead of just dividing your and your spouse’s assets precisely in half. Therefore, you must have a business valuation conducted to accurately determine the company’s worth. To receive your fair share of this asset, it is important to hire an experienced divorce attorney, who, along with a financial professional, can ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 11,2020 in Illinois Divorce

The decision to file for divorce is just the first step in a long road toward legally ending a marriage. One of the major concerns for couples who are divorcing is figuring out who gets what in the final settlement. Illinois is an equitable distribution state when it comes to dividing marital property in a divorce. However, non-marital property is handled differently. Under Illinois divorce law, both spouses are entitled to keep all of their own or separate assets. Non-marital assets are classified as property acquired as a gift, through an  inheritance, or prior to the marriage, as well as property that is specifically protected by a valid prenuptial agreement. In some cases, disputes can arise if spouses argue over these items.  

Identifying Separate Property 

Distinguishing between marital and non-marital or separate property in a divorce is not always as simple as it may seem. One of the difficulties that can arise when trying to establish a non-marital asset occurs when the spouses have commingled or mixed non-marital and marital funds. Tracing is a method of following the flow of money or assets from their original source to demonstrate that they are indeed non-marital. This requires proof that the original source of the asset came from a gift, an inheritance, or ownership prior to the wedding

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 05,2020 in Illinois Divorce

The thought of going through a divorce can be intimidating, even if you are in an unhappy marriage. Suddenly becoming single after years of being married is often a difficult transition. When children are involved, the breakup of the family unit can seem devastating. However, a dysfunctional relationship is not healthy, so in many of these cases, divorce is the best option. Facing a new chapter of your life may be scary, but there are steps you can take to alleviate the stress. It is also critical that you hire a proficient divorce attorney to guide you through the process and protect your rights when it comes to the division of property or assets, spousal support, and child support.

Practical Ways to Adjust to Your New Life

You will most likely go through an adjustment period once you are divorced. You may be sad, angry, or bitter. Similar to when someone you love passes away, there is no set time when you should “be over” your divorce. It is painful even if it was your idea to split up. Here are several helpful tips for obtaining a fresh start after your marriage ends: 

Continue Reading ››