Valuing & Dividing the Family Business
When a couple is going through a divorce, one of the most difficult parts of the process is often asset division especially if a family business is involved,. The intricacies of evaluating a business can make the process of property division quite complex. If possible, having clauses in your business agreement to deal with this can help avoid problems down the road. However, if itContinue reading
When is Spousal Maintenance Appropriate?
There is a prevailing misconception among many that spousal maintenance is always awarded in Illinois divorces, and this is simply not the case. Multiple questions and factors go into determining whether a grant of maintenance is appropriate, and sometimes the answer may go against a husband or wife who may actually be in need. Hence, if you are going through such a case, it isContinue reading
Who Gets the House?
When a couple gets divorced in Illinois, property division is usually the most hotly debated issue, especially if there are no children involved. More than any other asset, the marital home is the asset most often debated and argued over. While each case is different, family courts do tend to take certain specific factors into account in determining who has the most equitable claim to the house.Continue reading
Understanding the Probate Process in Illinois
When a loved one passes on, it is hoped that the valuables collected over the course of his or her lifetime are passed down to others—children, siblings, friends—without contention. However, an unfortunate reality is that, in many cases, the court system has to get involved to determine who inherits a deceased individual’s assets. In Illinois, it is the probate court’s job to preside over this process. IsContinue reading
The Cost of Adoption
There are few things more beautiful than adopting a child. No matter what age, opening the doors of your home to one in need is a heartwarming and joyous occasion. When considering adoption, it is important to understand the process and how much you will likely have to pay to adequately prepare. The adoption process can either be fairly straightforward, or a complex legal landscape for hopefulContinue reading
New Child Support Law Coming Soon
The method used to calculate child support in Illinois is about to undergo a massive change. Starting July 2017, courts will adopt a different method for determining the amount of child support each parent is responsible for contributing. The calculations will no longer be based on a fixed percentage of a non-residential parent’s income. Moving forward, the courts will use an “income sharing” model used by variousContinue reading
Power of Attorney or Guardianship for My Elderly Parents?
Life often times comes full circle. When we are young, our parents make our decisions for us. They look out for our best interests and, in many cases, help us manage our money. As adults, we may have to step up and provide the same support to our parents that they provided to us in our youth. When an elderly loved one is unable toContinue reading
The Benefits of Collaborative Law
The divorce process can be one of the most legally complex and stressful events in the life of a family. For some couples, they want their divorce to end as quickly as possible. Others, for various reasons, want to see what can be a vicious legal fight drag on for as long as possible. Collaborative law, however, is a method outside of a traditional divorce that canContinue reading
Ways You Could Be Making Your Divorce Harder
There is often no escaping the emotional toll divorce takes on us as we move through the process. Even under ideal circumstances, the end of a marriage brings with it multiple challenges for each party, making it a mentally exhausting experience from start to finish. While it is nearly impossible to avoid all of the potential challenges of a divorce, there is an element of control thatContinue reading
Five More Child Custody Mistakes to Avoid
Previously, a post on this blog discussed some of the most common pitfalls for parents in the midst of a contentious child custody battle. Now known as the allocation of parental responsibilities in Illinois, such cases are typically very stressful for all involved. There are, however, a few more missteps you should take care to avoid as you strive to be the best possible parent to your child. #6.Continue reading