Family & Divorce

In the state of Illinois, child support payments are calculated based on several factors, with special emphasis placed on the payer’s income. This brings up a logical question. What if your income does not always remain as it was at the time that you got divorced? If you lose your job, can you stop making those payments? If you get a raise, do you need to pay more? Just like with all other aspects of your divorce settlement, the answer to these questions is that it all depends on your specific circumstances. If you were given a raise at work
Continue Reading Does a Raise Mean an Automatic Increase in Illinois Child Support Payments?

Courts in Illinois rarely find that giving one parent full custody and excluding the other parent from the child’s life is in the best interests of the child. Wherever possible, courts will work to salvage the parent-child relationship in any way that is practical and safe for the child. However, in certain cases, the court can find that full custody is appropriate. While limited supervised visitation is often ordered when one parent is not capable of caring for the child independently or poses some risk, courts sometimes find that even supervised visitation could harm the child. If you are
Continue Reading When Is Full Custody Possible in Illinois?

By nature, humans are an optimistic species. We do not want to think of a future where we can no longer take care of ourselves and need hired help to get us through the day. While many people end up living in nursing homes, most of them probably never pictured that when they were younger, preferring instead to imagine they would be forever young, healthy, and strong. Unfortunately, that is not the reality for most of us.
While it is human nature to prefer focusing on a rosy future, people can also manage to overcome that to plan for a
Continue Reading Two Reasons to Give Someone Power of Attorney in Illinois

Adjustment of status refers to the process by which an individual changes their immigration status from non-immigrant to immigrant while residing in the United States. This legal procedure offers a pathway for individuals already present in the U.S. to obtain lawful permanent resident status, also known as a green card, without the need to return to their home country for visa processing. Knowing when to seek adjustment of status is crucial for immigrants navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.
To apply for adjustment of status, an individual generally needs to meet specific eligibility criteria, including having entered the U.S.
Continue Reading Do You Qualify for Adjustment of Status?

Sexual harassment is an ongoing issue in workplaces throughout the United States. It affects countless people, and victims may experience a variety of hardships, including the loss of their jobs, the loss of income, and damage to their mental health and welfare. Despite the efforts that have been made to combat this misconduct, many cases go unreported, and the enforcement of sexual harassment policies often falls short. An experienced attorney can provide essential guidance and support to those who have experienced sexual harassment, ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are heard.

The Underreporting of Sexual Harassment
Approximately 75%
Continue Reading Statistics About Sexual Harassment You Should Know

Custody disputes can be quite complicated to resolve when parents get a divorce. The people involved often feel tense and emotions can run high. Trying to figure out how parental responsibilities and rights will be divided can be especially challenging if either parent’s mental health and emotional regulation are in question. If one parent expresses concerns that the other is psychologically incapable of properly caring for their children and providing them with a safe and stable home, the courts will take such concerns very seriously as they attempt to draft a settlement that will ultimately serve the child’s best interests.
Continue Reading When Are Psychological Evaluations Used in Illinois Divorce?

When thinking about domestic abuse, physical violence often comes to mind. Of course, being physically harmed within your family is a horrible thing to experience. But something people discuss less often and can still be detrimental is emotional abuse. When one parent pits their child against the other parent, manipulating the child into having less of a relationship with them, this is a form of emotional abuse otherwise known as parental alienation, and it is a big problem for parents going through a divorce. If you believe your spouse is doing this to your children as an attempt to
Continue Reading What Can I Do if My Spouse Has Pitted My Child Against Me in Illinois?

Brain bleeds, also referred to as intracranial hemorrhages, are a grave consequence of car accidents. The immense force and abrupt deceleration involved in crashes can inflict severe trauma upon the delicate structures of the brain, leading to various types of bleeding within the cranial cavity. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain bleed injury in a vehicle accident, it is important to speak with an Illinois personal injury lawyer to understand what legal options you may have.
How Do Brain Bleeds Occur?
Although encased within the protective confines of the skull, the brain is particularly
Continue Reading Brain Bleeds After a Car Accident in Illinois

Creating a parenting time schedule that meets the needs of the child and provides both parents with the opportunity to spend quality time with their children can be difficult for anyone. When one or both parents serve in the military, making the right parenting plan can be even more challenging. Military parents will often need to build flexibility into their parenting plan if there is a chance that a parent will be deployed before the child turns 18 years old. Most people who serve in the military do not remain stationed in the same place for more than a few
Continue Reading Child Custody Plans for Military Parents in Illinois

When a couple goes through a divorce, one of the many steps they need to work out relates to the division of their marital assets. Anything that they amassed as a couple will be divided in a divorce. Unfortunately, some people falsely believe that they can merely hide some assets so as to avoid splitting them in the divorce settlement. This is an illegal practice, but common nonetheless. This article will describe three prominent signs that your spouse might be trying to hide assets. Of course, if you have any concerns about your personal situation, a compassionate Wheaton, IL
Continue Reading 3 Signs Your Spouse Might Be Hiding Assets in an Illinois Divorce

Originally published: November 5, 2020 — Updated: March 19, 2024
Update: As discussed below, some parents may choose to remain married while they raise their children rather than getting a divorce. In these situations, it may be beneficial to pursue a legal separation, which will allow a couple to remain legally married while detailing the rights and obligations that will apply to each party. With a legal separation, a couple may choose to live in different homes, or they may continue living together while focusing on parenting responsibilities and keeping their lives separate as much as possible.
A legal separation
Continue Reading UPDATE: Three Reasons Some Couples Attempt a Parenting Marriage Instead of Divorce

After a divorce, finding a new place to call home is a significant step in starting a new chapter of life. In Illinois, the process of relocating post-divorce can involve legal considerations, financial implications, and emotional adjustments. Whether you are looking to buy a new home, rent an apartment, or explore other housing options, understanding the factors at play can help make the transition smoother and more manageable as you embark on this new journey. For assistance in the divorce process, contact an experienced lawyer for guidance.
At The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., we have over 110 years
Continue Reading Finding a New Home After a Divorce in Illinois 

While prenuptial agreements are commonly associated with divorce, their benefits extend far beyond that. Signing up for an Illinois prenup can offer couples various advantages that go beyond planning for the worst-case scenario. Understanding these additional reasons can help couples make informed decisions about their financial future together. 
At NN Legal Group, Attorney Nelson has over 12 years of experience providing clients with practical, client-focused legal representation. Well-respected in the legal community, our firm provides clients with representation they can depend on from a compassionate attorney who has dedicated his career to helping people when they need it most.
Continue Reading Three Worthwhile Reasons to Sign a Prenup in Illinois 

When a marriage comes to an end, particularly under circumstances where one spouse is primarily responsible for the divorce, emotions can become heated. In some cases, a person may believe that their spouse should be punished for infidelity or other actions that led to the breakdown of their relationship. If you are planning to end your marriage in Illinois, you may wonder whether being the “innocent” spouse might impact your eligibility for alimony, also known as spousal maintenance. As you address this issue and other divorce-related concerns, it is important to understand the nuances of Illinois law regarding spousal maintenance
Continue Reading Can I Get Alimony if My Spouse Was Responsible for Our Divorce?

An Illinois Divorce can be stressful under the best of circumstances. Even if the separation is amicable and you agree on most issues, it’s a time of significant life change and often emotional turmoil. That stress can be significantly aggravated when there’s a lot of conflict. But, there are steps you can take to dial down the stress, minimize conflicts, and keep your case moving forward. 
When is a Divorce High-Conflict?
There’s no formal definition for “high-conflict divorce,” but we generally use that term to mean what you’d think: that there are significant points of disagreement in the case. Sometimes,
Continue Reading Navigating a High Conflict Divorce

Divorce trials are high-pressure environments. No amount of practice will guarantee that a witness will say exactly the right thing. The court system is conscious of the frailty of human memory and allows attorneys to refresh their witness’s recollection with a document if necessary.

Refreshing A Memory In An Illinois Divorce Court?

It may sound bizarre, but a lawyer can stop a witness and politely ask, “Are you sure about that? Would you like to refresh your recollection?,” and then hand the witness a document stating what the lawyer would like the witness to say.  

“It is well settled
Continue Reading Refreshing A Witness’s Recollection In An Illinois Divorce Trial