Illinois is an “equitable division” state, which means that during a divorce, all marital property should be equitably divided between the parties. Some assets are easier to split, like shared savings accounts and vehicles. But for some, it gets even harder to negotiate who keeps what and who leaves it. This includes dividing a family home and dividing a business and all its assets.

It doesn’t matter who spent most of their time working to build the business; if it was started after marriage, it automatically becomes marital property. In circumstances where one spouse started the business before…
Continue Reading Businesses in an Illinois Divorce and How They Are Divided During the Process

Division of property can be one of the most divisive moments during a divorce, because not always does everyone get exactly what they want. This is especially so when you live in a state like Illinois.
Illinois is an equitable distribution state, which means that marital assets are not equally distributed between spouses. Rather than dividing everything 50/50, the judge looks at each party’s current condition and future needs to determine what they get. Most cases are resolved with 70/30, 60/40 splits, and rarely some even give all marital property to one party.
The state of Illinois considers several factors…
Continue Reading Splitting Marital Property During a Divorce

 
The Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA) was enacted in 1982. It enabled protection to a greater class of persons who have been abused by a family or household member. Under the Act, survivors of domestic abuse such as “persons related by blood or marriage, persons who share or formerly shared a common dwelling, persons who have or allegedly have a child in common, persons who share or allegedly share a blood relationship through a child, and persons who have or have had a dating or engagement relationship” could now be warranted safety under the law.
With an Order of…
Continue Reading When is an Order of Protection Warranted?

A life insurance policy is a safety net for your loved ones. It’s ensuring they are well taken care of when you’re not there. This policy contains the following information;
The death benefit – The amount of money to be paid when the insured person dies. It’s usually income tax-free.
The beneficiaries – These are the people who receive the death benefits. Beneficiaries don’t have to be loved ones or people close to you. You can leave part or all your death benefits to an institution or entity.
The policy term – The length of time for which the insurer…
Continue Reading How to Claim a Life Insurance Policy upon a Person’s Death

 
When you’re ready to start building the home of your dreams, you’ll need to hire a contractor to do the work. But how can you be sure that the contractor you choose is reliable and trustworthy? As with most transactions, it’s important to seek advice from other people who have used their services in the past before making any hiring decisions. Here are five tips to help you vet contractors before hiring them to be confident about your choice and avoid any surprises along the way.
1) Ask for referrals
Ask people you trust for their contractor recommendations. Word…
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How Is Child Support Calculated In Illinois
When parents get divorced or separated, their obligations towards their children do not end with the marriage. Both parents, the mother and the father, are legally required to look after their children. Most states have specific rules about how to calculate child support.
Parents can negotiate and enter into agreements without the guidance of the court. However, they still need to get the agreement approved by the court. The court makes sure the child support agreement meets its legal requirements and is fair to the child.
Child support payments ensure the child’s quality…
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Due to increased government benefits, moratoriums on evictions, and certain government incentives to ease financial pressures in many households in 2021, total new bankruptcy filings across all chapters were 24.2% lower than in 2020.
Nonetheless, bankruptcy continues to be a complex legal proceeding involving a person or business that is unable to repay its outstanding debts.
What Are the Types of Bankruptcies?
Chapter 7: Liquidation
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy deals with cases also known as “no-asset cases” because there may not be an actual liquidation of the entire debtor’s assets. To qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a debtor…
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A Guide to Moving Out of Illinois State with Kids After a Divorce
 
Many things can happen after a divorce. Perhaps you want to move to a new location and begin life afresh, or you have got a new job opportunity elsewhere. No matter the reasons for the move, it is imperative to know that Illinois has stringent laws concerning relocation of children after divorce.
Relocating may not be a simple step since you need to obey the law. If you have custody of the children, relocating could mean that the other parent will spend less time with the…
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