Posted on November 02, 2022 in Divorce

When a married couple finds themselves frequently arguing, facing the repercussions of an affair, or simply falling out of love, they may decide to try a trial separation. The hope is that by spending some time apart, the couple will be in a better position to decide what to do next.

Divorce is a huge decision and not one that should be taken lightly. By living separately temporarily, the spouses may have the space they need to figure out whether divorce is the right step.

When it comes to trial separations, results vary. Some separations end with both parties realizing how much they love each other and wish to remain married. Other times, trial separations end with divorce papers. If you are thinking about a trial separation, make sure to consider the following.

Separation and Legal Separation Are Two Completely Different Things

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 Posted on October 31, 2022 in Child Custody

Illinois Courts presume that it is ideal for a child to have both of his or her parents involved in his or her life. However, this is a rebuttable assumption. Ultimately, the Courts determine all child-related decisions based on what is in the child's best interests. If there is evidence that a parent's involvement in a child's life is harmful or dangerous, the Court may implement parenting time restrictions. Supervised parenting time or supervised visitation is one of the most common types of parenting time restrictions but it is just one of several restrictions the Court may enforce.

Conditions and Limitations on Parenting Time

Illinois law defines a parenting time restriction as any condition placed on a parent's parenting time. Courts only limit parenting time in this manner if the Court finds that unrestricted parenting time would "seriously endanger the child's physical, mental, moral, or emotional health."

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 Posted on October 26, 2022 in Divorce

According to a recent report, nearly 75,000 individuals in Illinois suffer from Opioid Use Disorder. Drug addiction involving opioids like oxycodone, morphine, heroin, and fentanyl can absolutely devastate a person's life. These substances are so powerful that they often consume an individual's entire world, leading to financial instability, criminal activity, and the breakdown of the family unit.

If you are divorcing a spouse with opioid addiction, you are not alone. Many individuals in Illinois find themselves in this difficult situation. The person you are divorcing may bear little resemblance to the person you married. If your spouse is like many suffering from substance abuse, addiction may have changed him or her dramatically. Consequently, protecting yourself and your finances is paramount during the divorce process.

Temporary Orders During Divorce Involving an Addict

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 Posted on October 17, 2022 in Divorce

Many people have heard of divorce mediation, but few understand exactly what it entails. If you are planning to end your marriage, you may be interested in ways you can reduce conflict and increase cooperation during the divorce process. Divorcing spouses who can reach an agreement about the allocation of parental responsibilities, division of marital property and debt, and other important matters are typically more satisfied with the outcome of their divorce than those who go to Court and let a Judge make decisions for them. Resolving divorce issues through mediation or lawyer-assisted negotiation is also much less expensive than a divorce trial. This blog will outline the general principles of divorce mediation and explain how a mediator may be able to help you and your spouse reach an out-of-Court agreement on any disputed issues during divorce.

What Happens During Mediation?

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 Posted on October 02, 2022 in Divorce

Getting divorced is always a difficult process, but it can be even more complicated when there are high levels of wealth involved. If you are going through a high net worth divorce, there are some special considerations you need to take into account in order to protect your interests.

Hire an Experienced Attorney

When either spouse has a high net worth, you need to make sure you have an experienced attorney on your side who knows how to navigate these kinds of cases. The wrong lawyer could end up costing you substantial money, so you need to do your research and find someone who has experience handling cases like yours.

Protect Your Assets and Your Right to an Equitable Share of Marital Property

In a high net worth divorce, there is much at stake in terms of assets and property division. You need to make sure you have a solid plan in place for protecting your assets and ensuring that you get what you are entitled to. This may involve using discovery tools or forensic accounting to uncover hidden assets or offshore accounts. Appraisers and business valuation experts may be needed to assess business interests and other complex financial holdings.

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 Posted on September 21, 2022 in Divorce

Millennials in America are old enough, big enough, and diverse enough to have become the most closely studied generation in the world. Larger than the Baby Boomers and more ethnically diverse than any other generation before them, Millennials make a fascinating case study. Closely tracked by almost every measure, we now have excellent statistics on the behaviors of Millennials in every major aspect of life - how they save, how they spend, what they wear, and, of course, how frequently they get married and divorced.

People who are reluctant to get married often cite the most famous divorce statistic of all: 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Yet, when it comes to Millennials, this may not be true. Data from reputable research organizations suggests Millennials are forging a path of their own when it comes to marriage and divorce.

Less Likely to Divorce, Less Likely to Marry

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 Posted on September 19, 2022 in Child Support

Divorced and unmarried parents of minor children in Illinois often rely on their child's other parent to make timely child support payments. When the parent responsible for making payments falls behind on his or her payments or stops paying altogether, it can leave the receiving parent in a terrible bind. Parents who are desperate to get child support payments back may understandably want to escalate matters but may be reluctant to get a Court involved because they fear the expense and hassle that could ensue.

Unfortunately, parents who stop following the parenting time schedule described in their Court-ordered parenting plan because of unpaid child support can face legal consequences, just as a parent who stops paying child support can. Instead, it is better to follow the law and allow a Court, with the help of an experienced attorney, to take action against someone whose child support payments are in arrears.

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 Posted on September 12, 2022 in Divorce

Over the course of many years of marriage, couples generally accumulate a large sum of money for retirement. Whether through careful saving and investment, working hard and earning a pension, or any combination of other investment strategies, Illinois couples depend upon their retirement plans to carry them throughout their later years.

The prospect of divorce can feel very threatening to your retirement income, and rightfully so; marital assets must all be divided in divorce and this can leave both you and your spouse with more expenses and less resources. However, with careful planning, rigorous negotiation, and excellent legal representation, there are ways for you to protect your retirement goals during divorce. Here are three great steps to help you begin.

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 Posted on August 31, 2022 in Divorce

Child support payments help single and divorced parents cover child-related expenses. During these challenging times, financial assistance through child support is more important than ever. However, for various reasons, some parents stop paying child support. In some cases, a parent loses his or her job and can no longer afford support payments. Other parents are simply irresponsible or selfish and intentionally choose to ignore this important responsibility.

Whatever the cause, non-payment of child support is not taken lightly by Illinois Courts.

What to Do When a Parent Cannot or Will Not Pay Child Support

If you are an obligor, or payer, or child support and you cannot afford your current child support obligation, do not simply stop paying. The Court can take adverse actions against you, which will only make your situation worse. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a child support order modification. For example, if you were laid off from your job and are genuinely trying to get a new job, you may be able to reduce your obligation for the time being.

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 Posted on August 25, 2022 in Divorce

If you share custody of your children with an ex-spouse and he or she wants to move away with the kids, you may be frustrated, worried, and unsure of what to do. Do I have a say in whether my ex moves? Can I challenge a parental location in Illinois? It can be difficult to deal with a parental relocation if you are not sure what your legal options are. In this blog post, we will discuss parental relocation and how it is typically handled by the Court system. We will also provide some tips on how to challenge a parental location if you believe that it is not in the best interests of your children.

Parental Relocation Laws in Illinois

Moving to a new home can provide new opportunities and a fresh start. However, moves are not always in a child's best interests. Many divorced and unmarried parents worry that if the other parent moves away, it will negatively affect their relationship with their child. They may also worry that the child will struggle to adjust to a new home, school, neighborhood, and community.

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