Child support is an important source of financial support for divorced and single parents. Unlike spousal maintenance or other divorce issues, divorcing parents cannot determine the terms of child support on their own. Because financial support from both parents is considered a child’s natural right, parents cannot generally choose to forgo child support.
Illinois now uses the Income Shares formula to calculate how much a parent pays in child support. Support obligations are based on both of the parents’ incomes so the payment amount is reasonable and affordable given the parents’ financial circumstances.
Some parents choose not to work…
Continue Reading Imputed Income in Child Support Calculations in Kane County

When a divorce case goes to trial, the court makes a determination on the unresolved issues. The court may hand down decisions regarding property division, child parenting issues, spousal maintenance, or other divorce matters. If a spouse disagrees with the court’s decision, can they file an appeal? The answer depends on the specific facts of the case. Successful divorce appeals are rare, but they are possible in certain situations.
Filing an Appeal After Divorce
If you got divorced and you are unsatisfied with the outcome of a trial, you may be interested in filing an appeal. It is important that…
Continue Reading Can I Appeal an Undesirable Divorce Outcome?

Federal and state laws protect employees from discrimination based on sex. This includes protection from sexual harassment. However, perpetrators of sexual harassment still exist. Men and women in any type of profession may find themselves the victims of hostile work environment harassment or quid pro quo harassment.
If you have been sexually harassed, one of the most important steps you can take to protect your rights is to document the harassment carefully – especially if the harassment falls under the category of hostile work environment harassment. Creating a sexual harassment log that details the instances of harassment can be…
Continue Reading 5 Things to Document if You Have Been Sexually Harassed at Work

Many people who get divorced have never participated in a legal proceeding before. The divorce process can be daunting legally, financially, and personally. Television shows and movies depicting divorce as a dramatic courtroom battle only increase divorcing parties’ fear and apprehension.
Fortunately, divorce is rarely as litigious as TV shows would lead one to believe. Only a small percentage of divorce cases end up at trial. The rest are resolved through a mutually agreed-upon settlement.
If you are getting divorced, you do not have to undertake this process on your own. An experienced divorce lawyer can provide trustworthy legal advice…
Continue Reading Top 5 Reasons to Work with an Experienced Lawyer During Your Kane County Divorce

Working Americans count on Social Security benefits to help them cover expenses after they retire. For many people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, Social Security is their main source of income.
If you are getting divorced, you may have questions and concerns about how the divorce will influence your ability to receive Social Security benefits upon retirement. Stay-at-home parents, homemakers, and those who were not the primary earner in their marriage often worry that divorce will impede their retirement. Breadwinning spouses may wonder if their soon-to-be ex-spouse will be able to take some of their Social Security benefits,…
Continue Reading How Does Divorce Affect Social Security Benefits?

Most people assume that once their divorce is finalized, they are done with the divorce process and can relax. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some former spouses refuse to comply with the terms of their divorce judgment. They stop paying child support, fail to provide the spousal maintenance required, or ignore asset division terms. If your ex-spouse is not complying with the terms of your divorce, do not wait to take action. Contact an experienced divorce lawyer for help right away.
Property Division in Divorce
The division of assets and debts is often a crucial aspect of a…
Continue Reading Enforcing a Divorce Decree When an Ex Refuses to Comply

Illinois employees are protected from harassment and discrimination by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Illinois Human Rights Act, and other legislation. Unfortunately, sexual harassment continues to be an issue in Illinois and throughout the United States. Harassment can come in many forms. Some workers are exposed to crude jokes and offensive remarks. Others are touched inappropriately without their consent while simply trying to do their jobs. Employees may also deal with managers, supervisors, or employers who attempt to gain sexual favors by offering work-related benefits.
Research shows that workers in the manufacturing industry are exposed to sexual harassment at…
Continue Reading Sexual Harassment is Surprisingly Common in the Manufacturing Industry

Grandparents and grandchildren share a very special bond. If you are a grandparent, you know just how precious the relationship between grandkids and their grandparents can be. However, unexpected life circumstances can threaten the grandparent-grandchild relationship. Family arguments, divorce, or other issues can lead to grandparents being cut out of their grandchildren’s lives. This can be devastating for all the parties involved. As a grandparent, it is important to understand your rights in a situation like this.
Grandparents’ Right to Spend Time with Grandchildren
The law only allows children to have two parents or guardians. Typically, only parents are…
Continue Reading Do Grandparents Have a Legal Right to See Their Grandchildren?

 Sexual harassment has impacted the entertainment industry profoundly, and professional sports are no exception. Many different professional sports stars have been accused of sexual harassment or sexual assault throughout the past few years. In 2018, former Chicago Bears player Richard Dent was accused of sexual harassment by two women who allegedly interacted with him during business functions. Dent wanted to find out the identities of his accusers but was recently denied that opportunity by the Supreme Court.   
Football Star Accused of Harassment and “Drunk and Disorderly Behavior”
Richard Dent first learned of the allegations against him when two attorneys…
Continue Reading Supreme Court Denys Former Football Star the Chance to Know Who Accused Him of Sexual Harassment

Collecting stamps, coins, fine wines, or other collectibles is not just a fun hobby, it can also be extremely lucrative. If you are a collector, you know just how valuable collections can be. Collections are treated the same as any other assets during a divorce. This means that both spouses may have a right to an equitable share of the collection’s value. Valuing and dividing collections and other high-value assets during a divorce can be quite involved. For help, reach out to a divorce lawyer experienced in complex property division issues.
Who Has Ownership Rights of a Collection?
Many…
Continue Reading Addressing Collectibles and Collections in Your Kane County Divorce