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Tips for Going Through a Contentious Divorce in Illinois
Coming to the decision to divorce can take months and even years before you decide to take the necessary legal steps to end your marriage. Perhaps you and your spouse slowly grew apart or you have been unhappy for a long time. Regardless of the details of your union, getting divorced can be a very challenging process, even if both of you were willing to compromise. If you and your spouse have a great deal of conflict, this only exacerbates the legal proceedings. If children are involved, emotions can run even higher, so managing this situation requires strategy. An experienced divorce attorney can help protect your rights every step of the way.
Managing the Stress of it All
Under Illinois divorce law, a couple can reach their own agreement regarding property division, spousal support, and parental responsibilities. However, if they disagree on any issues, they will have to go to court and a judge will make determinations based on several factors, such as what is in the best interest of any children.
Who Gets to Keep the Family Pet in an Illinois Divorce?
Pets are often considered special members of any family. For those couples who do not have children, their dog or cat can seem like a child. According to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 67 percent of American households, or approximately 85 million families, own a pet. There are many different types of pets one can have, and some of the most common include dog, cat, rabbit, turtle, hamster, guinea pig, lizard, bird, or snake. When a couple decides to part ways and gets a divorce, a common question is what happens to the family pet or pets? Understanding how asset and property division, as well as child custody work in Illinois, can help determine where a pet will reside post-divorce.
How Are Commingled Assets Handled in an Illinois Divorce?
Often found in the business world, commingled assets refer to mixing personal funds with business funds or using business assets for personal reasons. Commingling of funds or assets can also occur between two spouses, making it difficult to determine which funds and/or assets belong to whom in a divorce. For example, it can be hard to distinguish when one spouse's separate property is mixed with the other spouse's marital property. However, this is crucial to ensure that each party receives his or her fair share of the marital estate.
Equitable Distribution
Under Illinois law, marital property is divided using the equitable distribution method, which means items or assets are not necessarily split in half, but rather in a fair way. Marital property is generally considered property that was acquired during the course of the marriage. Non-marital or separate property is that which one spouse owned prior to getting married or acquired during the marriage through gift or inheritance. Separate property is not subject to division in the divorce settlement.
Tips for Managing Your Health During Your Illinois Divorce
The decision to divorce can be a long and winding road, often taking a couple many years to come to terms that their relationship is not working. Part of the anxiety of divorcing involves the fear of the unknown. The transition from being married to being single may seem daunting and overwhelming. If you have children, that can further complicate matters, and you may worry about the toll the divorce will take on them. You likely have a million thoughts running through your head and a long to-do list as you start the next chapter of your life. Disregarding your physical and emotional health during this tumultuous time can be easy to do. However, make it a priority as you navigate this new future for you and your children.
Focusing on the Future
A divorce has been compared to a death in the sense that it is a great loss that results in feelings of grief and sadness. This may cause you to be depressed and engage in harmful coping behaviors such as drinking, drugs, or compulsive shopping. You may overeat or not eat at all, sleep too much, or have insomnia because you are so distraught. The stress of divorce combined with lifestyle changes can put you at risk of serious health complications. Studies have shown that divorced people are approximately 20 percent more likely to suffer from life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, or even cancer. That is why it is especially important to be mindful of what you put into your body, even if it may seem like a “quick fix” or provide instant relief.
How Can Dating Someone New Impact Your Illinois Divorce Agreement?
In the wake of your divorce, the thought of rejoining the dating scene may seem unappealing and unrealistic, but as the months or years go by, you may find yourself longing for the companionship that you once had in past relationships. Many divorcees find a new partner without even looking through work, friends, or their involvement in the community. But just because you meet someone does not mean that you feel the need to get married again. Whether it is a result of trauma from your past marriage or simply a sense of content with your current situation, you may opt to be a lifelong partner rather than taking on the title “husband” or “wife” again. You may think that your dating life no longer concerns your former spouse; however, your new relationship can affect the details of your divorce agreement.
6 Signs Your Spouse May Be Hiding Assets in Your Illinois Divorce
In any divorce, a couple will have to go through a legal process before the marriage is legally terminated. These proceedings involve many different decisions, especially when children are involved or there is a significant amount of assets. In the state of Illinois, marital property is divided using the equitable distribution method, which means items are split fairly but not necessarily 50/50. Full disclosure of assets is necessary in order to properly divide the marital assets. If one spouse is hiding or wasting a portion of the marital assets, this can negatively affect the property awarded in the divorce settlement.
Revealing Deceptive Tactics
By the time that a couple files a petition to dissolve their marriage, their relationship is likely to be over. In some cases, one party may try to gain an advantage by making it appear that there are fewer assets to be divided. These actions can also include transferring marital property to a third party without the other spouse's consent. In Illinois, for this kind of activity to be considered dissipation, it has to occur when the marriage is already broken down beyond repair.
How to Have Quality Parenting Time After Your Illinois Divorce
Getting a divorce can be one of the most difficult decisions of someone's life. In some cases, couples may put it off if they have children because they cannot bear the thought of not seeing their kids all of the time. Parents also might worry about the negative impact the split may have on the children. However, studies show that youngsters are resilient and often handle major life transitions better than adults. Also, if spouses are unhappy, constant conflict and arguing in front of the kids does not do anyone any good, causing a lot of stress and anxiety. Learning to share parenting time can be challenging, but an experienced attorney can help you and your ex-spouse achieve a co-parenting arrangement that works for everyone.
Making the Most of Your Time Together
In Illinois, divorced parents must create a parenting plan that outlines living arrangements and shared time with the children as well as how decisions will be made regarding education and healthcare. Depending on your situation, you and your ex might be able to mutually agree on the details of your parenting plan. If you have difficulty coming to an agreement, the court will become involved, and a judge will make decisions for you. In any case, they will consider several factors to make determinations based on what is in the best interest of their children.
Important Considerations When Getting Remarried in Illinois
Although many people who enter into marriage believe it will last their lifetime, that is not always the case. A couple may choose to get divorced for many reasons, such as infidelity, financial problems, mental illness, or simply because they grew apart. In some cases, they may have gotten married very young and as they matured, realized that they did not have anything in common or their interests or goals were not aligned. Some older couples may come to this realization after they raised their children and are empty nesters. Regardless of when you end your marriage or your age, you can find love again. In these situations, you may want to make your relationship legal by getting remarried. Even though you have been through it before, a remarriage can present its own set of challenges, especially if you have children. Talking with an experienced Illinois family law attorney can help make sure your rights are protected this second time around.
The Advantages of an Uncontested Divorce in Illinois
When people hear the word divorce, they might automatically think a couple is fighting to the bitter end with a lot of drama and chaos. Although that can be the case, it is possible for some couples to end their marriage amicably and without conflict. This can be especially important when children are involved, since they may have a difficult time understanding why their family unit as they know it is over. Regardless, there are still many decisions to make in an Illinois divorce. In an uncontested divorce, couples do not have to go to court to resolve these issues.
Retains a Level of Control and Privacy
As is the case in most other states, an uncontested divorce in Illinois means a dissolution arrangement in which both spouses agree to divorce without objections. Both spouses generally accept the major terms, and there is no need to hash out the details in court and have a judge make the determinations in a public forum. A few of the main terms that need to be negotiated by couples before a divorce is finalized include:
What Are the Steps for Modifying an Illinois Divorce Order?
When going through a divorce, a couple may think once they sign the final paperwork, everything is set in stone. However, that may not necessarily be the case. Situations and circumstances can change down the road, which can mean an existing divorce order is not appropriate anymore. In Illinois, the usual type of orders are outlined in a parenting plan, and they cover issues such as spousal maintenance, allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody), child support, and parenting time (visitation). The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many people, with some experiencing reduced work hours or a job loss. These circumstances may warrant a change to an existing divorce order.
A Substantial Change in Circumstances
Introducing The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson
Nicholas W. Richardson is an experienced divorce lawyer and mediator whose comprehensive legal knowledge, commitment to clients and reputation for results bring lasting solutions to your problems.
The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C. serves clients in Illinois cities such as Palatine, Schaumburg, Inverness, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Glenview, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Mt. Prospect, Niles, Prospect Heights, Skokie, Streamwood, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, and others throughout Cook County, DuPage County, McHenry County, and Kane County.
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