Monthly Archives: January 2016
Responsibility for Your Child’s Medical Expenses
Issues involving child support can be rather complicated and, of course, intensely personal. As a parent, you no doubt recognize that you have responsibility to help provide for your child. Exactly what that responsibility may entail is often in dispute, as parents often have different opinions on the definition of reasonable contributions. The state of Illinois, as you might expect, provides a guideline for baselineContinue reading
Talk to Your Loved Ones About Your Will
Using images commonly presented in films and other artistic works, picture in your mind a reading of a person’s last will and testament. In many fictional scenarios—which often tend to ignore the rest of the probate process completely—the will reading is shown a dramatic plot device through the which the decent is able to extract a measure of revenge or to surprise an unsuspecting heir with aContinue reading
What Are Parental Responsibilities?
As we get further into 2016, the new laws regarding child custody and other family concerns are beginning to have an impact on court proceeding around the state of Illinois. It is much too early to identify any emerging trends or inclinations of the court, as of yet, but it probably will not be long before that starts to happen. In the meantime, it may be usefulContinue reading
Study Reveals Alarming Discrepancies in Hospitals’ Brain Death Policies
At a pivotal point in the 1987 fantasy film, The Princess Bride, a comic-relief character played by comedian Billy Crystal declares that the story’s protagonist is “only mostly dead,” and that “mostly dead is slightly alive.” In the context of the movie, of course, the exchange was meant to be humorous, setting the stage for a miraculous return from the brink of death. However, in realContinue reading
Substance Abuse and Parenting Time
Substance abuse continues to be a problem all throughout the United States. Addiction to alcohol and drugs can ruin lives and tear families apart. Family law courts are especially concerned about parents with substance abuse issues. Substance Abuse and Being an Unfit Parent Family court judges are often required to decide how much time each parent should spend with the children of the relationship when theContinue reading
Illinois Law Encourages Amicable Property Settlements
While you probably know at least one person who has been through an extremely nasty divorce. The proceedings may have lasted months, causing both spouses a high degree of stress and anxiety. What is worse, the acrimony and contentiousness of such a battle can leave lasting scars, making it incredibly difficult for the parties to communicate in the future. This, as you might expect, can presentContinue reading
Stepparent Adoption in Illinois
Relationships between stepparents and stepchildren can be just as important and strong as the relationships between biological parents and children. Under Illinois law a stepparent can file a petition to legally adopt a stepchild. However, the family must follow the rules and regulations exactly if the adoption is to be successful. The Basics Illinois considers stepparent adoptions related adoptions. Both biological parents must consent to the adoptionContinue reading
Understanding Fixed-Term Maintenance
As part of the family law changes that went into effect this month, courts will now have the authority to enter fixed-term orders for spousal maintenance during a modification review. Dating back to the beginning of last year, fixed-term maintenance has been an option for new orders related to the dissolution of shorter marriages, but has now been extended to modified orders as well. What is Fixed-TermContinue reading