When a couple gets married, they inevitably combine their finances, property, and personal belongings. Unfortunately, this becomes a point of vulnerability in some divorce cases. If one spouse feels they have been wronged, they may use the shared property to take revenge on the other spouse. A spouse intent on exacting revenge may smash the other spouse’s record collection or sell their property without permission. They may drain the joint savings account during a vacation with a new lover, intentionally wreck a shared vehicle, or take other vengeful actions out of spite.
If your spouse has sold, destroyed, or wasted…
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High-conflict divorce is wrought with disagreement, resentment, and hurt feelings. Every divorce involves some degree of contention, but a high-conflict divorce is often characterized by ongoing hostility, litigation, and often a lack of civility between the parties. Alternative resolution methods like mediation may be out of the question, and communication between parties is often strained.
But even if you are facing a contentious divorce, there are still steps you can take to help manage the situation and come out of it in a better place. Here are five tips for getting through your high-conflict divorce in Hinsdale,
How to Handle…
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Alimony is not ordered in every Illinois divorce case. However, a spouse may be required to pay alimony in certain circumstances. If you are the breadwinner in your family and you plan to divorce soon, you may have questions about your alimony obligation.
Alimony payments, called “spousal maintenance” in Illinois, can be substantial. It is crucial that you understand your rights and responsibilities if you suspect that maintenance may be a factor in your divorce.
Spousal Maintenance May Be Negotiated or Ordered by the Court
There are a few different ways that a spouse may receive spousal maintenance…
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If you are like most people, your home is not only the most valuable asset you own, but it is also a source of deep emotional attachment. Deciding how to handle ownership of the marital home is often one of the hardest parts of the divorce process. There are many different ways to approach this issue.
If you are getting divorced, reach out to a skilled divorce lawyer for guidance. Your attorney can help you understand your rights, evaluate your property division options, and choose the course of action that is best for your unique situation.
Options For Ownership of…
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When a married individual realizes that his or her marriage is coming to an end, the prospect of divorce can be intimidating. Most people have little to no experience with courts or legal proceedings. It can be overwhelming, stressful, and confusing.
Divorce lawyers are specifically trained to deal with the complexities of a divorce. They are knowledgeable about the laws and regulations that govern the process and can help their clients navigate issues like property division, child support, child custody, and spousal maintenance. If you are unsure of whether you should hire a divorce lawyer or proceed with the divorce…
Continue Reading Top 5 Reasons to Consider Hiring a Divorce Attorney

Divorce can be tricky, especially when there is a child involved. Both parents are required to support their child or children until they reach the age of eighteen. In Illinois, child support payments are determined by Income Share Models. This takes into account each of the parent’s income and, in shared parenting situations, how much time each parent gets with the child or children. Child support usually ends once a child is an adult. However, if the child is mentally or physically disabled, this may extend a parent’s child support obligation. If their child is physically or mentally unable to…
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Few marital assets cause as much confusion during divorce as inheritances because spouses can often be in disagreement about what should happen with inherited assets. 
Title 750 Illinois Compiled Statute (ILCS) § 5/ is otherwise known as the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and is the governing state law in divorce cases. Certain sections of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act specifically address inheritance issues.
Inherited Assets During Divorce 
Under 750 ILCS § 503(a), all property acquired during a marriage is classified as marital property, except when the property is acquired:

• By gift, legacy, or descent

…
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Many parents who are seeking divorce may want to obtain sole custody of their children. Illinois no longer uses the term “child custody” but instead refers to the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. However, the word custody is still used informally to refer to a parent’s decision-making authority. 
Courts in Illinois generally want to see children have relationships with both of their parents, so courts only grant sole custody or sole decision-making authority if there is a good reason. None of this is to say that parents cannot get sole custody in their cases, just that it can…
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 Divorce is so much more than simply the end of a marriage. This process can be heavily influenced and impacted by finances. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for spouses to hide assets during a divorce. In the state of Illinois, assets must be split justly, however that does not always mean equally. It can be difficult to decide upon a fair division of marital assets, however, hiding assets is not the way to go about it. It is not only unlawful and unethical to hide assets, but there can be serious consequences if caught doing so. It is essential…
Continue Reading Hidden Assets And Their Consequences 

For many people in Illinois, the holidays will represent the first time that families are gathering after a couple has decided to get a divorce. It is can be awkward and lonely for individuals who have recently separated or divorced. Many people going through a divorce can see numerous complications to their family plans, and it can be difficult for people to know how to handle the situation. 
How to Deal With Separation or Divorce Around the Holidays
Going through a divorce and getting ready for the holidays can be stressful. Here are a few tips divorcing individuals can…
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One spouse in a divorce may seek financial support through “spousal maintenance,” which is more commonly referred to as alimony or spousal support. 
Courts must take a multitude of factors into consideration when determining whether spousal support should be paid, and this can include the incomes and earning capacities of both spouses, how long a marriage lasted, and any requirements under a premarital or postnuptial agreement. If you think that your spouse is seeking too much money or they are not paying enough, you will want to work with a DuPage County spousal support lawyer who can help you navigate…
Continue Reading How Spousal Support Works in Illinois

The Illinois small estate affidavit allows some heirs to process smaller estates without probate, but any estate in which probate assets exceed $100,000.00 must go through the formal probate process. The probate process can be long, costly, and challenging, so it is not uncommon for many people to want to do everything they can to avoid having to deal with probate.
The good news for most people is that Illinois allows a number of ways for people to avoid probate by the way they transfer assets to their heirs. When people do not designate beneficiaries on their insurance policies, pensions,…
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Paternity in Illinois is relatively straightforward when it comes to married couples. A woman’s husband is presumed to be the father of a child automatically when the couple is married. However, complications arise with children born out of wedlock. Paternity needs to be established in such cases, and one of the simplest ways this is accomplished is through a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP) that both parents sign and submit to the  the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). Establishing paternity without a VAP usually requires either an administrative paternity order or order of paternity.
How Contested Paternity…
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