Tag Archives: family law
How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer
While the law in Illinois provides only one legal reason for getting a divorce, we all know that there are countless factors that may contribute to a couple calling it quits. Similarly, there are many ways that a divorce proceeding can be handled. You and your spouse could attempt to cover all of the issues yourself and present your agreement to the court. Alternatively, youContinue reading
Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Separation
It is not uncommon for people to use the word “separation” when referring to a stage in their divorce process, but very few people ever actually obtain a legal separation. What most people refer to as a separation is considered by Illinois law to be spouses who are simply “living separate and apart” and requires no legal action on the part of either party. A legalContinue reading
Alcohol Abuse Can Affect Your Parenting Time
Do you share parenting responsibilities with your child’s other parent? If so, you probably cherish the time you get to spend with your child. While it may not be as much as you would like, you understand that every moment is one that can be enjoyed and used to foster a healthy relationship between your child and yourself. This is especially true around the winter holidays asContinue reading
Divorced Parents and College Expenses, Part 1: Will You Have to Pay?
With the current school year now in full swing, many high school seniors are starting to look ahead to next year and their plans to attend college. To those who have never experienced it, planning almost a year in advance may seem unnecessary, but the college admissions process can sometimes take longer than people realize. In addition, it is never too early to start figuringContinue reading
Before You Hit Send: The Dangers of Texting Your Spouse During Divorce
Communication is the key to resolving just about any difficult situation in life, including the differences between spouses in a divorce. In fact, if you and your spouse can communicate effectively, you can save a great deal of time, money, and stress along the way. It is important to recognize, however, that there is such a thing as communicating too much, especially in today’s world ofContinue reading
Planning for Back-to-School Following Your Divorce
If you are recently divorced, you are probably starting to realize how different life is now compared to when you were married. The differences are most notable for divorced parents who must acclimate to a situation in which they spend less time with their children than before while still tending to their needs. For many parents, the first school year following a divorce can be the mostContinue reading
Deciding to Appeal Your Divorce Judgment
Court systems around the United States are typically organized in tiers. Most state-level cases—including divorce and matters of family law—begin in circuit court in the county in which the case was filed. From there, appeals are usually brought before an appellate court, typically divided into districts that cover the state in question. Further appeals can be taken before the state Supreme Court, and potentially the United StatesContinue reading
Understanding the Family Law Umbrella
Whether you have been searching for information on filing for divorce, looking for assistance with child support, or trying to learn more about spousal maintenance and how it works, you have likely come across the term family law along the way. So, what does it mean, and what areas does it cover exactly? What Does Family Law Include? Also referred to as matrimonial law, family law includes everythingContinue reading
Calculating Your Child Support Obligations
Over the last year or so, posts on this blog, along with countless others around the internet, have extensively covered the upcoming—now currently enacted—changes to the family law statutes in Illinois. These changes brought reform on an unprecedented scale to the state’s approach to divorce and child custody. Somewhat surprisingly, however, the existing laws that govern child support were largely left untouched. While efforts are currently underwayContinue reading
Dealing With Domestic Violence: What Are Your Options?
Domestic violence is considered battery—a punishable crime—according to the Illinois State Police. All too often, domestic violence victims live under the misconception that just because their spouse physically hits them, there is no actual crime being committed. Their husband is simply being the “man of the house” or showing “tough love”. There are countless reasons victims use to explain or try to rationalize why their spouseContinue reading