Posted on September 22, 2021 in Child Custody

Ending a marriage can be a complex process emotionally, legally, and financially. This is especially true when parents divorce. If you share children with your soon-to-be-ex, it is important to educate yourself about the way Illinois handles child custody. The state revamped several major divorce and child custody laws in 2016. Now, parents are asked to create a parenting plan that describes each parent’s parental responsibilities and parenting time.

Child Custody Laws in Illinois

When parents file for divorce, they are asked to create a “parenting plan” or parenting agreement that describes child custody issues. While the terms “child custody” and “visitation” are still sometimes used informally, the law no longer uses these terms. Instead, child custody is broken down into two major components:

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 Posted on September 11, 2021 in Divorce

Studies show that approximately 16 percent of married people cheat on their spouse at least once in their lives. Of course, what constitutes “cheating” is up to the individuals involved in the marriage. Whether your relationship was affected by a one-time instance of sexual infidelity or a long-term affair, there is no doubt that cheating can dramatically impact a marriage. But how does infidelity affect divorce? Are spouses entitled to a greater share of marital property or higher spousal support payments if their spouse cheated? Does infidelity impact child custody determinations? Can you list “adultery” as the grounds for your divorce?

Adultery in Illinois Divorce Cases

The grounds, or legal justifications, for divorce vary from state to state. Presently, Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. This means that you will not list adultery or other fault-based grounds as the reason for your divorce. The only reason you will have available is “irreconcilable differences.” Infidelity and other forms of marital misconduct do not typically impact the division of assets and debts, spousal maintenance, or child custody decisions in Illinois divorce cases. However, there are ways that adultery or an affair partner can influence divorce determinations.

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 Posted on September 02, 2021 in Division of Assets

The division of property and debt is often one of the most important aspects of divorce. If you are ending your marriage, you may have questions about how your shared assets will be divided between you and your spouse. If you are like many soon-to-be-divorced people, you are especially concerned with ownership of the family home. Your house, condominium, or other residence is not only a valuable asset in the financial sense, it is also valuable for sentimental and personal reasons. If you are a parent, the family home may also represent stability and familiarity to your children. Understandably, the question of who gets the house is often one of the top concerns in a divorce case.

Illinois Law Regarding the Marital Home

The court does not always allocate marital assets in a divorce. In most cases, the spouses are able to reach a property division settlement outside of court with help from their attorneys. Some couples decide to sell the home and divide the profits from the sale evenly. Other couples decide that one spouse will keep the home while the other spouse keeps property of equivalent value.

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 Posted on August 30, 2021 in Divorce

For ex-spouses and families to transition to a new normal after divorce, they must follow several steps. Depending on the situation, the divorce process can range from amicable and smooth to hostile and complicated. When spouses wish to end their marriage on good terms, they may want to pursue an uncontested divorce which allows for a quicker and cheaper divorce. However, in times of divorce, it may be very difficult for divorcing couples to agree on every aspect that has to be determined. These disagreements will likely lead to a contested divorce. Regardless of what route is appropriate, each individual should be aware of what challenges may lay ahead.

Contested Divorces

A divorce may become contested for numerous reasons. Disagreements regarding finalizing the divorce and conditions applied to the dissolution of the marriage often cause substantial conflict between the spouses. Some of the most prevalent issues faced in a contested divorce include whether to get a divorce, where any shared minor children should live, what amount of child support should be paid, where a family pet will live, how assets and debts should be divided, and whether any spousal support should be provided.

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 Posted on August 27, 2021 in Family Law

Grandparents commonly share a special bond with their grandchildren and cherish the time they spend together. In some cases, the grandparents play a significant role in raising their grandchildren. Unfortunately, due to circumstances such as messy divorces, hostile child custody disputes, and spiteful ex-spouses, this relationship may diminish or be completely terminated. If a grandparent believes that the discontinuation of the relationship is not in the best interest of the child, they have the right to petition for visitation in court.

Grandparents’ Burden Of Proof

Illinois law permits a variety of relatives to petition for the visitation rights of a child, including grandparents and adult siblings. The time grandparents are allowed to spend with their grandchildren without a parent’s presence is referred to as grandparent visitation rights. The visitation rights may include activities such as overnight visits, weekend visits, and short vacations. Grandparent visitation rights, however, are not automatic and may be denied by a parent.

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 Posted on August 16, 2021 in Divorce

While each divorce is unique, most divorces are incredibly stressful and frustrating. As divorces have been a cultural norm in our society, we are seeing an increasing number of later in life divorces, also known as grey divorces. Gray divorces are similar in nature to divorces that occur earlier in life, however, they often are met with unique obstacles that only arise from decades of marriage. Men and women considering divorce over the age of 50 should know what to expect as they begin to start this new chapter and be well prepared for the necessary changes.

Causes of Late-Life Divorce

Significant changes in laws and societal norms have allowed for a much smoother divorce process. This is substantially relevant for couples who belong to older generations who may have previously feared that their divorce would lead to rejection from their peers. While it is certainly possible that a late-life divorce is caused by the same issues as a couple divorcing in their 30s, divorces for older couples come with their own characteristics and consequences.

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 Posted on August 09, 2021 in Paternity

All children are entitled to their parents’ support, including but not limited to financial, emotional, mental, and physical support. No matter the parents’ legal relationship or either parent’s age, no child should be denied the opportunity for a parent-child relationship. It is a shared duty of the parents and the child to establish paternity, which is the legal acknowledgment of the father and child relationship. In general, this is a straightforward process. However, in some cases, paternity is not determined so easily and may require the assistance of the courts and an experienced family law attorney.

Benefits of Establishing Paternity

Determining a child’s paternity can be extremely gratifying for all parties involved. When paternity is established, the father gains visitation rights allowing them to become involved in their child’s life.

A child can significantly benefit when the establishment of paternity leads to an increased standard of living. Coupled with the opportunity to form a meaningful relationship with their father, the child can benefit from any possible child support payments, the father’s medical insurance coverage, and any future inheritance. Additionally, when paternity is determined, the child will be able to fully access their family’s medical history.

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 Posted on July 30, 2021 in Child Support

The cost of college tuition continues to rise in the U.S. In fact, for the 2020-2021 school year, the average cost of tuition and fees was $41,411 for private colleges, $11,171 for state residents at public colleges, and $26,809 for out-of-state students at state schools. Parents who are getting a divorce may want to learn about who will be responsible for these costs when their child goes off to college. If you and your child’s other parent disagree about who will pay for college expenses, a skilled divorce lawyer can help.

Illinois Divorce Laws for College Tuition

In Illinois, divorced parents may be required to pay for their child’s college tuition. Parents may be required to contribute to their child’s:

• Tuition, room, and board

• Applications fees

• Meal plans

• Books

• Medical and dental costs

Parents are only required to pay for their child’s undergraduate education. Payments will typically cease after a child’s 23rd birthday or when they get married. Illinois law also requires students to maintain at least a “C” average to continue receiving financial assistance from their parents.

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 Posted on July 27, 2021 in Divorce

Substance abuse is one of the most common reasons why couples get divorced. When one spouse suffers from addiction, it can affect his or her ability to keep a job and take care of the children. If your spouse is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the divorce process can become more complicated. As such, it is important to learn about your rights and prepare for the divorce process in advance. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you understand how substance abuse may impact your divorce case.

How Substance Abuse Can Affect a Divorce

Illinois is a no-fault state. To get divorced in Illinois, you must only show that you and your spouse have “irreconcilable differences” and can no longer make the marriage work. However, if one spouse has a substance abuse problem, it could impact divorce proceedings. If you and your spouse, for example, have children together, you may not want your spouse to have a significant portion of the parental responsibilities or parenting time. Being addicted to drugs or alcohol can make it more difficult to provide children with a stable and safe environment. You may doubt your spouse’s ability to care for your child and keep him or her safe.

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 Posted on July 22, 2021 in Annulments

If you believe that your marriage was a mistake, you may be considering getting a divorce. However, you may qualify for an annulment in Illinois. An annulment or "Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage" allows two partners to legally exit a marriage that is deemed fraudulent or invalid. If you want to get your marriage annulled, a divorce attorney can help you understand whether you qualify for an annulment. If you cannot get your marriage annulled, you may need to pursue a divorce instead.

When Can You Get a Marriage Annulled in Illinois?

Not all marriages can be annulled in Illinois. An annulment has strict requirements and is actually more difficult to obtain than a divorce. In order to qualify for an annulment in the state, the marriage must violate the law or public policy in some way. Here are some valid reasons for seeking an annulment:

• One spouse was underage at the time the marriage took place and did not have parental consent to get married.

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