Posted on June 29,2020 in Illinois Divorce

Divorce can require you to do a number of things that you likely never expected when walking down the aisle. If you have children, your primary concerns are probably focused on creating a healthy and fair parenting plan. For those who have a family business, you may be concerned about how this will be divided between you and your spouse. Some of the divorce determinations may be unique based on your family’s circumstances, but one area that every divorce requires to be addressed is the division of marital property. Whether you have been married five months or five years, anything accumulated during that time is considered marital property and must be divided equitably according to Illinois state law. Many couples’ largest asset is the home that they have built together and it can be the most difficult belonging to “divide.” Since an apartment or house cannot physically be cut in half, there are other means that can be taken to determine what is fair.

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 Posted on June 24,2020 in Illinois Divorce

If you are a parent considering divorce, you probably have a million questions swirling through your head. Who will be the primary caregiver of my children? How often will I see them? Where will my kids live and how long will they be at each house? Imagining carting your children between two homes can seem unfair and difficult, especially for kids who are old enough to have homework, after-school activities, and friends to see on the weekends. It can feel as if their lives are always in transition between one home and another. A recent phenomenon has caught the attention of divorcing parents who might be concerned about this two-home lifestyle for their children. Before making decisions about what will happen to the family home and how your children’s time will be divided between you and your ex-spouse, learn about a new option many families are considering: Nesting.

One Home Sweet Home

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 Posted on June 17,2020 in Family Law

No one likes to imagine the worst-case scenario, but in some cases, it can be helpful. When a couple gets married, they can choose to plan ahead in case the relationship deteriorates and ultimately ends in divorce. A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is a legally binding document that outlines how various marital issues will be handled should a couple decide to terminate their marriage. In order to be valid, the terms must be put in writing and signed by both spouses. It states who gets the rights to what property in case a legal separation or divorce were to occur. Previously thought to be appropriate only for those with significant assets or in second marriages, prenups have gained popularity in the past few years. However, it is important to understand what elements a prenup can include and factors that could make it invalid.  

What Issues Does a Prenup Address?

A premarital agreement can include several issues and it can be modified at any point during the marriage if a couple so chooses. Any amendment to it must also be in writing and signed by both parties. Spouses can revoke the prenup entirely, but both of them have to agree to cancel it by stating their intentions in writing and signing it.

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 Posted on June 08,2020 in Illinois Divorce

There is no denying that a divorce can be a complicated process. The legal dissolution of a marriage is not simply signing a piece of paper. Decisions about important issues need to be made, including how a couple’s assets and property will be divided. In some situations, spouses may have complex or high net-worth assets, including a family business. It can be difficult to determine how to handle the company’s ownership after the divorce, especially if both spouses are active in running the day-to-day operations. There are several options when it comes to dividing this intangible asset. Regardless, it is important to hire a knowledgeable divorce attorney to help protect your rights

The Equitable Distribution of a Company

According to Illinois law, marital property is subject to equitable distribution. This means that any assets or property acquired during the marriage will be divided fairly but not necessarily equally in half, or 50/50. Some couples may create a prenuptial agreement to decide ahead of time how to disperse marital assets in case they get divorced. Some couples may choose to sell the business, continue to jointly own it, or buy out their share.

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 Posted on May 29,2020 in Illinois Divorce

When two people get married, they rarely think at the time that they might get divorced. However, statistics show that 40-50 percent of all U.S. marriages end in divorce. In some cases, a couple may be married for three years and split up after one spouse has engaged in an extramarital affair. In other situations, partners who have been together for 20 or 30 years may realize they have nothing in common after their kids leave and they find themselves “empty nesters.” Regardless of how long a marriage lasts, some of the same issues will need to be addressed before spouses can legally terminate their marriage. There are several characteristics that can make a divorce complicated when it comes to making determinations in how the marital estate will be divided.   

Child-Related Issues 

With multiple issues to resolve, a couple may have trouble agreeing on certain matters. This can include child-related issues if they have young kids, such as the allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody) and parenting time (visitation). Both parents may want to have equal decision-making authority and spend as much time with their children as possible. If spouses cannot agree on an arrangement, the court will intervene and make a decision based on the best interest of the children. Co-parenting can be especially difficult when spouses harbor resentment or anger toward each other

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 Posted on May 19,2020 in Child Custody & Allocation of Parental Responsibility

A divorce can be one of the most difficult experiences one can go through, especially if children are involved. The allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody) and parenting time (visitation) are two important issues that need to be resolved during the divorce proceedings. A couple can create a parenting plan, which essentially outlines details such as what days of the week the child is with each parent. If they cannot agree on the terms, a decision will be made based on the best interest of the child by the court

Courts will also weigh other factors before making a decision on parenting time in order for both parents to take an active role in child-rearing. However, in these uncertain times, with stay-at-home orders issued in many states, parents are being creative by using technology for virtual visits if they cannot be done in person.  

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 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.  

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 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: 

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 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.

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 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.   

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