If your child’s other parent is behind on child support payments, you have several options to enforce the support order and recover the money you need for your family. In Illinois, the courts and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) have several methods for collecting the total amount of past-due payments, known as child support “arrears.”
Falling behind on child support in Illinois can have serious legal and financial consequences. Although the State of Illinois can impose these consequences and recover unpaid child support through DHFS, a highly-rated Oak Park child support attorney with experience since 1988 in
Continue Reading What Happens if a Parent Falls Behind on Child Support in Illinois?
Latest from Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C. - Page 2
Uncovering Hidden or Wasted Assets During an Illinois Divorce
Among the most important concerns during the divorce process is the division of property between the two parties. Having an uncooperative spouse in the case is something that can occur, but having one who actively tries to dissipate assets leading up to and during the divorce is an entirely separate problem .
Attempting to hide or waste property to avoid dividing it in a divorce is illegal and punishable under the law. If you think your spouse might be doing either, you should contact an Oak Park, IL divorce lawyer to take immediate legal action and protect your right to
Continue Reading Uncovering Hidden or Wasted Assets During an Illinois Divorce
What Do We Have To Include in a "Parenting Plan" in Illinois?
When parents divorce or separate, the “Allocation of Parental Responsibilities” (formerly called “custody”) document for minor children can sometimes be a point of serious contention. A “Parenting Plan” document, which gets included in an “Allocation Judgment”, outlines the official terms of custody, and if you go through the court system to work out custody disputes, Illinois law requires you to have one. Ultimately, decisions must be made regarding the legal obligations and rights of both parents and children, and an experienced Oak Park, IL parental responsibilities attorney can help.
What Are the Requirements for a “Parenting Plan” in
Continue Reading What Do We Have To Include in a "Parenting Plan" in Illinois?
Mistakes to Avoid When Drafting a Prenup in Illinois
Prenuptial agreements, also called premarital agreements, or prenups, are relatively well-known. While some people may have an emotional aversion to contractually defining the financial part of a relationship, the reality is that getting a prenup is a responsible thing that you can do with your fiancé at a time when you are both feeling generous and considerate of each other’s needs.
However, without legal guidance from a Hillside, IL prenuptial agreement attorney, you risk making common mistakes that can make you regret your choices later – or worse, render your prenup invalid later. Consider some common mishaps you
Continue Reading Mistakes to Avoid When Drafting a Prenup in Illinois
Are You Eligible for Spousal Maintenance in Illinois?
The financial aspects of getting a divorce can often be the most complicated. As you & your ex-spouse establish separate households, you will have to determine how you will handle both new and existing expenses. Budget adjustments and downsizing may help, but sometimes one spouse is put at a financial disadvantage.
In Illinois, if you think you will struggle to support yourself post-divorce, you may have the opportunity to seek spousal maintenance, also known as spousal support or alimony. To find out what your options might be regarding this subject, consider getting advice and representation from an experienced Hillside, IL
Continue Reading Are You Eligible for Spousal Maintenance in Illinois?
How Much Child Support Am I Entitled to Under Illinois Law?
The amount of child support you receive is based on the financial obligations you have to provide for your child’s physical, mental and emotional needs. These obligations can vary drastically from family to family, so the child support calculation process requires an understanding of your unique circumstances. Illinois, like all states, has a process for calculating the support you are entitled to receive. If you have questions about how support calculation works in your case, an experienced Hillside, IL child support lawyer can help.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Illinois?
Illinois uses the “shares model” approach to calculate the
Continue Reading How Much Child Support Am I Entitled to Under Illinois Law?
How Marital Property is Divided in an Illinois Divorce
Divorce can often be traumatic for both parties. The challenging emotional aspects of separating two lives are sometimes complicated by serious financial concerns, such as how marital property will be divided in the divorce. Determining what marital property is and how it is divided can lead to additional concerns, sleepless nights and fear of the future.
These worries can be mitigated with an experienced divorce lawyer’s assistance. Our Illinois divorce attorney at the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C. has 38 years of experience in guiding clients through the marital property asset division process, and advocating for the
Continue Reading How Marital Property is Divided in an Illinois Divorce
Proving Irreconcilable Differences in Your Divorce Case
Every state has its own interpretation of what constitutes “fault” in a divorce case. Some states allow spouses to hold their partners responsible for the end of a marriage, which can make a difference in property division or alimony awards. Illinois, however, is a strictly no-fault state, meaning that you cannot blame your spouse for your divorce. Instead, you only have to prove that you and your spouse have “irreconcilable differences” that make the marriage “irretrievably broken”.
A skilled Illinois divorce attorney can help you file for a dissolution of marriage, and show the court that you and your spouse
Continue Reading Proving Irreconcilable Differences in Your Divorce Case
Three Common Misconceptions About Estate Planning
Nobody looks forward to doing their estate planning, but when it’s done right, it can be both comforting and empowering. Still, many people shy away from making these arrangements, due to misunderstandings about what estate planning instruments can do or, when they should be created. With the help of a skilled Illinois estate planning attorney, however, you can avoid these obstacles and confidently handle end-of-life planning, including instructions for honoring your wishes after you pass away.
At the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., we want to give you peace of mind. Attorney Vincent Machroli has practiced
Continue Reading Three Common Misconceptions About Estate Planning
Strategies for Settling Contract Disputes Outside of Court
Litigating contract disputes in court can be costly. If you or another party to a contract have been accused of violating the terms of the contract, you likely want to avoid court, but the 2 parties may be at an impasse as to how to fairly settle the matter. An Illinois civil litigation defense attorney can provide you with guidance and representation to help settle a contract dispute out of court.
At the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., we do not believe in ‘one size fits all’ solutions for legal problems. Instead, we provide legal services tailored to
Continue Reading Strategies for Settling Contract Disputes Outside of Court
Do I Need Any "Power of Attorney" Documents?
In Illinois, a “Power of Attorney” (“POA”) is a document that gives legal authority to a person whom you trust to be your “Agent”, & to make important decisions on your behalf. This power is typically important for situations when you are unable to speak for yourself after becoming incapacitated. There are many benefits to obtaining two “POA” documents in Illinois, and many people find peace of mind in obtaining these two documents while they are still in good health.
At the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., we can assist you in the process of
Continue Reading Do I Need Any "Power of Attorney" Documents?
Reasons to Consider Obtaining a "Living Will" Document in Illinois
Pondering your mortality can be frightening, but if you take the time to make arrangements for the end of your life, you can rest easier knowing that you have a plan in place. An Oak Park, IL estate planning attorney can help you think through, and create a plan for, these end-of-life arrangements. A “Living Will” document – also referred to as an advanced health care directive – can allow you to specify your preferences regarding certain medical treatments if you become incapacitated.
At the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., our estate planning lawyer can help you prepare
Continue Reading Reasons to Consider Obtaining a "Living Will" Document in Illinois
The Impact of Mental Illness on Divorce in Illinois
Divorce can be a difficult process, and it can become even more difficult when mental illness is involved. If one or both spouses suffer from mental health conditions, it might make certain divorce methods like collaborative law or mediation unfeasible. Illinois law also takes mental health issues into account when deciding about matters like child custody and the equitable distribution of assets. Speak with a knowledgeable Oak Park, IL family law attorney to understand more about how mental illness can affect the divorce process in Illinois.
Mental Illness and Marital Problems
The category of “mental illness” covers a wide range
Continue Reading The Impact of Mental Illness on Divorce in Illinois
Protecting Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan
It is the end of 2024, and we are now almost a decade past the farthest point into the future imagined by the “Back to the Future” movies. Our lives truly do look as different from the 1980s as the films predicted, and we can easily take for granted that we live in an age of seemingly boundless technological advancement.
With so many aspects of life affected by innovation, it is only natural that the law will be affected as well. One area where this has certainly become relevant is estate planning. As people accumulate more and more digital
Continue Reading Protecting Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan
How Can I Establish Paternity if the Father Is Unwilling?
Many children have the privilege of growing up with both of their parents. Even if a child’s parents are divorced, having two involved parents can be very beneficial for the child’s emotional well-being. Similarly, in many families, parents who are not married to each other understand the benefits of allowing their child to have a meaningful connection with each parent.
While married couples are automatically recognized as a baby’s parents at birth, an unmarried father’s relationship with his child needs to be legally established so that his paternity is officially recognized. Otherwise, he has no legal parental rights or responsibilities
Continue Reading How Can I Establish Paternity if the Father Is Unwilling?
How Can You Keep Your Home Out of Probate Court in Illinois?
If you own a home in Illinois, ensuring that ownership of it will transfer smoothly to whomever you choose without getting tangled up in probate should be a top priority for you. A probate case in Illinois typically takes between one and two years to complete, with complex or contested estates at the longer end of that estimate. The probate process is also public, which means details about your estate are accessible to anyone with an interest. During the probate process, your loved ones may not have access to the assets in your estate, leading to financial difficulties.
Fortunately,
Continue Reading How Can You Keep Your Home Out of Probate Court in Illinois?