Divorce is notoriously expensive and the financial repercussions of divorce often extend long into the future. Understandably, then, one of the most common questions people have for divorce attorneys is “How much will my divorce cost?” While statistics can provide averages ($15,000 – $20,000) and medians ($7,000), the exact cost of divorce is impossible to predict ahead of time, even if a divorcing spouse could know in advance every obstacle they will encounter. Instead, what can be more helpful is to have a basic understanding of what you will likely need to pay for during divorce. Read on for an…
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Few things are as difficult in divorce as deciding your living arrangements once the divorce is finalized, and maybe even before then. Some spouses are eager to get out of the home they shared with each other, while others have built many years of sentimental memories and want to keep the family home if possible. While there is no right answer to the question of whether you should keep your family home in your divorce, there are some things you should consider carefully before coming to a decision. With the help of an experienced Illinois divorce attorney, you can examine…
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By the time a couple files for divorce in Illinois, for all intents and purposes, their relationship has usually been over for a long time. Understandably, in the midst of all the difficulties of divorce, one thing that people often find hope in is the possibility of seeking a meaningful connection with a new partner. However, dating after divorce is not without its own challenges. Here are five things dating and relationship experts want you to know about pursuing love after divorce.
Wait Until the Divorce is Finalized
You may be ready to leave your marriage behind and seek the…
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One of the things that potential divorcees worry about most is their financial future. Learning to live on one income, especially after many years of being married, can be very difficult. For parents of young children who gave up career opportunities to nurture a family, the prospect of managing personal finances after divorce can be all the more challenging.
Along those lines, one of the most common questions that Illinois family law attorneys answer is whether child support and alimony are taxed. After all, the impact of state and federal taxes on income can have a major impact on how…
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When legitimate instances of domestic abuse or child abuse occur, they are serious matters that need to be investigated and handled appropriately. Unfortunately, however, allegations of violence and abuse are easy to make, especially during high-conflict situations such as divorce. Spouses often make false allegations in an effort to get revenge or to seek full custody of children, and while these false allegations may ultimately be disproven, the target of the allegations often suffers anyway. If you are getting divorced and you are worried false allegations may become part of the process, get help from an assertive Illinois…
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Divorce litigation is a strategy of last resort for many. For others, courtroom litigation is a patently necessary affair from the outset. Spouses in high net-worth marriages may have a significant share of assets at stake in complex divorce proceedings, with potential winnings far outweighing the expense associated with divorce litigation. Further, certain complex assets may be difficult to divide in an equitable fashion, rendering compromise at mediation or attorney-facilitated negotiation unlikely. In such cases, judicial decision-making may be preferable for both spouses. 
However, even when it is beneficial, divorce litigation brings a separate set of challenges. Detailed evidence must…
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Many spouses elect to enter into a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Such agreements may define which assets are one spouse’s separate property, how marital property is to be divided in the event of divorce, whether spousal maintenance payments are to be ordered, and other clauses impacting a divorce action. Illinois state law places limitations on the nature of clauses that may be permissibly included in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. In addition to legal limitations regarding the contents of a prenuptial agreement, there are limits as to the enforceability of such contracts. Impermissible clauses may include agreements regarding parenting…
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Divorce can be tough on children. They are used to having both parents around and accessible all the time. Transitioning to a new parenting time schedule can be jarring, as it disrupts their routine. It is important for parents to work together during divorce in order to help the children adjust and feel safe.
Children tend to do much better with their parents’ divorce when it is clear to them that both parents are putting them first throughout the process. If your divorce is amicable, this may be easier to do. If there is a high level of conflict, it…
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While it used to be the case that a far higher number of divorce cases were resolved in court, times have changed. Now, most divorces are resolved out of court, through alternative dispute resolution methods like negotiation or mediation.
Divorce is far more common today than it was fifty years ago, and if every divorce went to trial, it would likely take years to resolve them all due to the immense backlog of cases. Alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and collaborative divorce, require both you and your spouse to cooperate, compromise, and behave like reasonable adults. You…
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If you are at the beginning of the divorce process, you may have a lot of conflicting emotions. Some people cannot wait for a final divorce decree. Others are hoping for reconciliation and do not want a divorce at all. Whatever position you are in, you may be wondering exactly how long it might take to finalize your divorce in Illinois. There is no one-size-fits-all answer here. Some spouses can reach a divorce settlement very quickly and be done with the process in a matter of weeks. Others share complex assets that must be painstakingly untangled by a court, which…
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