The moment a couple decides to end their marriage, both spouses may face what feels like an endless list of challenges, especially if children are involved. Divorcing parents must address an entirely new set of concerns as they begin to navigate through different family structures and dynamics after the separation. Moving through the divorce process with children in the picture can be especially daunting, even for parents who are able to interact on a positive and productive level. The range of emotions experienced can be amplified in the wake of additional changes, such as relocation after the divorce. Relieving Children’s…

Even in the midst of a divorce, when big changes are already in motion in a household, other circumstances can arise that create an even greater divide between a parent and a child. Sometimes new developments at work or with extended family surface, placing a parent in a position where he or she must decide whether or not to relocate in the wake of a divorce. In other situations, one parent simply wishes to retaliate or distance him or herself–and the child the couple shares–from the other, with hopes of starting over after the separation. Whatever the reason for a…

Marriage is not for everyone; however, there are those people who enter into marriage believing they can make it work and last a lifetime. Unfortunately, even for those couples who give it their best, they may ultimately decide to divorce. Indeed, most recent statistics available show that more than 22 percent of couples marrying for the first time end up divorcing in less than five years, while 53 percent of all marriages dissolve by the 20-year anniversary. Although divorce proceedings are usually carried out in court, litigation is not always necessary to legally terminate your marriage. Alternative Dispute Resolution…

In Illinois, marriage dissolution, or what is most commonly referred to as divorce, is the sole means by which a couple can legally terminate their marriage. The termination itself requires a judgment entered by the court, which a judge will issue after the couple agrees to the terms of the divorce. If the couple cannot reach an agreement, then a judge will decide the marital and child-related issues, including the allocation of parental responsibilities and other matters, such as division of property and assets or spousal maintenance (alimony). It is not unusual for one of the spouses to decide to move…

People going through divorce usually worry about how assets such as a house, car, or retirement accounts will be divided when the divorce is final. With information and technology becoming increasingly intertwined in evolving societal norms, however, intellectual property is equally becoming an important category of assets owned by a married couple. Intellectual property includes things such as copyrights, trademarks, and patents. Is Intellectual Property Marital Property? Illinois law defines marital property as property, including assets and debts, the divorcing couple acquired after getting married. There are a few exceptions, but this law is broad enough to include in it…