The first school year after a divorce often feels like a minefield packed with shifting schedules, emotional ups and downs, and tension between co-parents who are still finding their footing. It is not just your child who is adjusting, after all; you and your former spouse are learning how to accept a new reality, one that is often filled with trial and error, miscommunication, and unexpected emotional reactions.
For families across DuPage County, this season of life can be both overwhelming and transformative. While there is no perfect formula, thoughtful planning and realistic expectations can go a long way toward
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Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC Blogs
Latest from Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC
10 Small Factors That Can Cause Big Complications in a Divorce
When most couples prepare for divorce, they anticipate disagreements over major issues like child custody or dividing their assets. But in many cases, the most frustrating complications are a result of smaller, overlooked details. These seemingly minor issues can lead to long delays, additional expenses, and ongoing arguments long after the divorce is finalized.
Throughout Illinois, spouses often ask what pitfalls to watch for as they navigate the process. These ten small factors, if not carefully addressed, have the potential to cause significant problems. Our Elmhurst, IL divorce attorneys can take a close look at your marriage and
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Getting Divorced After You Got Married Very Young
Marriage at a young age often brings hope, passion, and dreams of building a life together. But as the years pass, those early dreams can start to unravel, especially if the couple grows in different directions. Whether you married right out of high school, during college, or in your early twenties, you might now be wondering: What happens if you feel like you made the wrong decision?
What does divorce look like if you are still young, have no assets, or still care about your spouse? This blog walks through what you need to know if you are thinking about
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How Do Illinois Courts Handle Divorce When One Spouse Has Been Hiding Assets for Years?
In Illinois, spouses have a legal duty to disclose all assets — marital and non-marital — during a divorce. When one party attempts to hide, transfer, or obscure the value of assets, the court may impose serious consequences. Judges have broad discretion to address this type of misconduct, and they often do so with significant financial penalties.
Whether the hidden assets involve secret bank accounts, undervalued businesses, cash-only income, or property titled in someone else’s name, the law allows for both aggressive discovery and decisive remedies. A skilled litigation team of Elmhurst, IL divorce lawyers with experience in tracing
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How Can I Keep My Dog if We Get Divorced?
Divorce is often a painful process, not only for the couple involved, but for everyone — and everything — caught in the middle. This includes the family dog. If you are going through a divorce in Illinois and want to keep your dog or another pet, the law has evolved in ways that may help you. However, success is not automatic. You must be prepared to show the court why your continued care of the pet is appropriate, fair, and in the pet’s best interests.
This blog will explore how Illinois courts now handle pets in divorce, how to demonstrate
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An Overview of a Divorce Trial: What to Expect
While most divorces in Illinois are resolved through settlement, sometimes litigation becomes necessary. When negotiations break down or major disagreements remain over issues like property division, child custody, or spousal maintenance, a trial may be the only way to resolve matters. If you are heading toward a divorce trial in DuPage County, knowing what to expect can help reduce stress and improve your ability to make informed decisions.
At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we prioritize mediation and collaboration whenever possible. These methods are often more efficient, less emotionally draining, and better able to give spouses more control over the outcome.
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Answering Your Questions About Child Custody Evaluators
When parents cannot agree on how to divide parenting time (visitation) or parental responsibilities (decision-making authority) after a divorce or separation, the court may bring in a child custody evaluator to help determine what arrangement would be in the child’s best interests. This can feel overwhelming, especially if you have never been through a custody case before.
Below, our Illinois child custody lawyers answer some of the most common questions about custody evaluators in Illinois to help you better understand what to expect, as well as what you can proactively do to protect your role in your child’s life.
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Why Work With a Boutique Law Firm for Your Divorce?
Divorce is a sensitive personal matter with high stakes, especially when significant assets, business interests, or child custody disputes are involved. In these complex cases, choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference.
While some may assume that larger law firms offer superior services, a boutique family law firm with outstanding, focused attorneys often provides the personalized attention, strategic advocacy, and in-depth legal knowledge necessary for navigating a challenging divorce.
If you are facing divorce or other family law challenges in Illinois, Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC offers distinct advantages that can directly impact your case’s outcome. Below, we
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Building a Warm and Loving Home for Your Children During Divorce
Divorce is a challenging experience for any family, but for children, it can be particularly unsettling. As parents, your primary concern is ensuring that your children continue to feel loved, secure, and supported during this transition. While the legal aspects of divorce can be complex — especially for high-net-worth individuals navigating demanding careers, managing important financial considerations, and sometimes even juggling a private life and a public persona — it is equally critical to focus on the emotional well-being of your children.
At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we understand that divorce is not just about legal resolutions; it is about
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Third-Party Subpoenas and Depositions in Divorce
Being served with a subpoena or a notice of deposition can be unsettling, especially if you are not directly involved in the divorce or family law case in question. But significant others, grandparents, social workers, and other third parties may unexpectedly find themselves drawn into divorce litigation, facing the prospect of providing testimony, documents, or other evidence. Understanding your rights and obligations in these situations is essential to both protecting your interests and following the law.
At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we help third parties who are subpoenaed or deposed in legal cases. Whether you have been asked to testify,
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Common Child Custody Arrangements After Divorce
Divorce is never easy, especially when children are involved. Determining child custody arrangements is often one of the most challenging aspects of the divorce process. Parents want what is best for their children, but figuring out the best arrangement can be complicated.
Illinois law offers various custody options designed to suit different family dynamics and circumstances. Understanding these options can help you make informed decisions. An Illinois child custody attorney can guide you through the process and help create a parenting plan that prioritizes your child’s well-being.
What Is Child Custody in Illinois?
In Illinois, the legal concept of child
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Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) in Illinois
When going through a divorce in Illinois, many people are faced with the complex task of dividing marital assets, including retirement accounts. Retirement accounts often make up a significant portion of a couple’s shared wealth, which means that dividing them can have serious financial consequences both in the present and the future.
However, dividing retirement accounts is not as straightforward as splitting a bank account or personal property. This process requires careful legal and financial planning, especially when it comes to avoiding tax penalties or unintended distributions.
This is typically managed through the use of something called a Qualified Domestic
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Navigating Capital Gains Taxes in an Illinois Divorce
Dividing assets in a divorce can be a very complicated process, especially when capital gains taxes are involved. Capital gains taxes apply to the profit made from selling certain valuable assets, such as real estate, stocks, or high-value personal property, and these taxes can create unexpected costs for divorcing couples.
For high-net-worth couples in Elmhurst, Illinois, who have substantial assets, it is essential to understand how capital gains taxes could impact the division of property. Working with an experienced Illinois divorce attorney and a tax professional can help minimize capital gains tax liabilities while ensuring a fair division of assets
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Divorce, Separation, or Annulment: What Do I Need?
Going through a difficult time in your marriage and thinking about ending it? Whether you are considering divorce, separation, or annulment, it is important to understand the differences between these options and how they apply to your situation. Making the right decision can be confusing, but with the guidance of an experienced DuPage County, IL family law attorney, you can take the right steps to protect your future and that of your family.
Understanding the Different Types of Marriage and Divorce
Before deciding how to end your marriage, it is important to understand the types of marriage recognized
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How to Know It Is Time to Get Divorced
Making the decision to end a marriage is one of the most difficult choices a person can face. Many people stay in unhappy marriages for years, hoping things will improve, especially if children are involved. However, there comes a point when the emotional strain, constant conflict, or outright neglect becomes too much to bear, and divorce arises as a possible solution.
Recognizing the signs that your marriage may be beyond repair can help you move forward with clarity and confidence. If you are feeling stuck and unsure of what to do next, a compassionate family law attorney in DuPage County,
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Is Divorcing a Narcissist Hard?
With the exception of couples who completely agree not only that they should get divorced but also on every aspect of their divorce, most people struggle with divorce and the changes it brings. However, some divorces are distinctly more difficult than others. Contested divorces involving high net worth individuals, allegations of spousal or child abuse, or accusations of infidelity tend to see a lot of anger and conflict between couples. These divorces can take longer and be more challenging to resolve.
Even without any of these issues, however, there is one particular personality characteristic that tends to make divorce extremely
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