Not every person is cut out for the responsibility and commitment that marriage and children entail. Some parents leave their families to pursue relationships with other people; some wander off because they miss living a life of spontaneity and solitude; still others leave without any explanation, leaving their family to fend for themselves.
The spouse who is left picking up the pieces generally does not want to remain married to someone who is no longer interested in shouldering their share of the family burden. But getting divorced when your spouse is missing or unwilling to participate in the divorce process…
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Being a parent can be one of the most joyous and rewarding things a person can do, but parenting is not without its challenges. Fathers often face particular challenges when they are not married to the mothers of their children and may sometimes feel as though the legal system’s hurdles are too much to overcome. Other times, a mother or a father may feel totally unequipped or unprepared to raise a child he or she did not want to bring into the world and may wonder whether relinquishing parental rights is an option. Wherever you are in your parental journey,…
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So you have finally made up your mind to get a divorce and now you have to actually do it. While filing for divorce in and of itself is not so difficult, many couples get hung up on the bureaucratic elements of the divorce process because the forms can be confusing and it can be difficult to get answers to your questions. 
Court clerks, judges, and secretaries cannot give you legal advice, nor can they assist you in filling out the forms. If you want to file for divorce but do not feel comfortable handling the paperwork yourself, you may…
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Just as no divorce is easy, no divorce is quite the same. Individual spouses (and many cooperative couples) have to decide the tenor they want their divorce to have, as well as the strategy they are going to pursue. Some spouses opt for a scorched-earth approach after a long and bitter marriage, while others decide from the get-go that they want to cooperate as much as possible. Each potential strategy has advantages and an attorney can help you settle on the right choice for you. Here are the three most common divorce strategies in Illinois. 
Litigated Divorce
A litigated divorce…
Continue Reading Consider These Three Divorce Strategies As Your Plan Your Divorce

While every child deserves to have loving parents, the unfortunate reality is that many children do not get the love and care they deserve at home. When one or both parents have died or are out of the picture because they are in jail or have lost their parental rights, a court may need to appoint a guardian. If a deceased parent left a will designating someone to be a child’s guardian, a court will usually follow the parent’s wishes. But if the designated guardian is also deceased or is unfit or unwilling to be a guardian, a court…
Continue Reading When Can an Older Sibling Become a Guardian in Illinois? 

With the prevalence of television, movies, and sensationalized media, it can be hard to know what information regarding divorce is true. The process can be complicated, and there are many misunderstandings about the law. Some people who consider divorcing their spouse first seek advice from others, who while well-meaning, are often not trained in family law matters or informed about recent changes to the law. The following are some of the most persistent divorce myths that are simply not true.
Myth: Half of All Marriages End in Divorce
Reality: This myth is quite complicated but a myth nonetheless. There are…
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A personal jewelry collection is accumulated over many years and is often made up of gifts, inheritances, and collectible pieces bought during travels to faraway places or in locations of great personal significance. When an Illinois couple is facing a divorce, a spouse who has a significant jewelry collection may justifiably feel sorrow and frustration at the idea that their personal collection may be considered part of the marital estate and subject to a claim from the other spouse, whether all or in part. 
Nevertheless, all assets must be accounted for during a divorce. Determining whether a piece of…
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Parenting after a divorce can be a challenging proposition. A single parent’s struggles are only made greater by an ex-spouse who has stopped paying child support. While your ex-spouse may provide excuses about why payments have stopped or are behind, obligations for child support are court-ordered and not subject to modification by the parties involved. Only the court can approve a modification, and only then with a legitimate and qualifying reason. To ensure your child support payments are made on time, the first step is to contact an experienced child support enforcement attorney.
Options for Child Support Enforcement…
Continue Reading What Can I Do If My Ex Is Not Paying Child Support in Illinois?

While as many as 40 percent of marriages end in divorce in the United States, each marriage will have its own unique relationship dynamics and combination of factors that led to the decision to split. However, it is clear that similar reasons plague many marriages. In most cases, there is not just one reason, but likely a combination of different factors that caused the divorce. If your marriage is headed for a divorce, it is time to talk to an experienced divorce attorney.
Wide-Ranging Reasons for the End of a Marriage
From traits that you just cannot stand about your…
Continue Reading Ten Most Common Reasons Couples Seek a Divorce

To protect individual property, safeguard business assets, and various other reasons, many couples today are choosing to sign prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. While no one goes into a marriage expecting to get divorced, it can be beneficial to both parties to prepare for the possibility, since almost half of all marriages do end in divorce. By preparing a valid agreement, both parties can protect their financial interests and remove any uncertainty should a divorce come about. However, there are certain issues that can invalidate an agreement that both spouses should understand.
Issues That Can Invalidate an Agreement
Whether…
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In the age of omnipresent social media, it is natural that some couples will take to posting on Twitter, Facebook, and other sites while they are going through a divorce. Some studies have even shown that apps such as Facebook play a role in an increasing number of divorces. But what, if anything, is appropriate to post and what recourse do you have when your spouse starts sharing negative information?
Actions to Take on Social Media During a Divorce
The best advice is for both parties to stay off social media during a divorce. Taking a step back…
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