The decision to end a marriage is not one that is reached easily – especially after years or decades living as a married couple. Divorce after age 50 takes courage. It can be frightening to leave the predictability of your marriage and embark on a new life chapter. Ending a marriage near retirement age can also involve several financial complications. Many people in their 50s and 60s hope to retire and spend their time playing with grandchildren, traveling, or otherwise enjoying their golden years. Some divorcing spouses over age 50 worry that the divorce will upset these plans. If you…
Continue Reading Divorce Involving Older Couples Presents Financial and Personal Challenges

As the saying goes, money cannot buy happiness. However, there is no denying that finances play a critical role in our lives – especially for divorced individuals. Getting divorced is likely to have a massive impact on your financial situation. Property division, child support, and spousal maintenance are just some of the issues you may deal with during an Illinois divorce. Proper preparation before divorce and careful money management after divorce can help reduce the negative impact divorce has on your finances.
Knowledge is Key During Divorce
Many people are uninvolved in their household finances. If you typically left the…
Continue Reading How Can I Protect My Finances During and After Divorce?

Domestic violence and abuse can take many different forms. Abusers often use intimidation and psychological manipulation to control their victims. Sometimes, this takes the form of stalking. If you have been the victim of stalking, you know just how frightening it can be. Stalking is considered a criminal offense in Illinois. If you have been the victim of stalking during a divorce or other family law issue, you should know that there are certain legal protections available to you. A “Stalking No Contact Order” is a legally enforceable court order that prohibits a stalker from contacting or coming near the…
Continue Reading What to Do If You Are the Victim of Stalking in Illinois

Many are surprised to learn just how common domestic violence is in Illinois. Sadly, violence between spouses, romantic partners, family members, and housemates happens in millions of homes across the Prairie State. It is estimated that over 40 percent of women and 26 percent of men in Illinois have been victims of intimate partner violence or violence between current or former romantic partners.
If you have been abused by a family member or romantic partner, you are not alone. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and your children. One of the most important of these steps is…
Continue Reading How Can I Get a Plenary Order of Protection in Illinois?

Beginning the divorce process can be a daunting task. After all, most people have little experience dealing with legal issues prior to their divorce case. If you are like many people ending a marriage, you may have never stepped foot in a courthouse before. Understandably, you may feel confused and intimidated by the process. You may be unsure of what to expect. While each divorce case is different, most cases follow the same basic structure and involve similar concerns.
How Do You File for Divorce in Illinois?  
Every divorce begins with the divorce petition, technically called a Petition for Dissolution…
Continue Reading Top Questions About Divorce in Illinois

Research shows that fathers’ involvement in their children’s lives is associated with better academic achievement, intellectual functioning, and social skills. Children with absent fathers are more likely to suffer from mental health problems like depression. Unfortunately, some fathers do not see their kids as often as they want because they are unaware of their rights. If you have established the paternity of your child and you are not a danger to your child’s well-being, you may be able to secure visitation or parenting time. However, you may need to take certain steps to assert this right.
You Must Establish…
Continue Reading How Can I Get Visitation With My Kids as an Unmarried Father in Illinois?

Sadly, domestic violence and abuse are not uncommon in Illinois. Research shows that over 40 percent of women and over 25 percent of men in Illinois have suffered abuse from a spouse or romantic partner. No one should ever have to tolerate this type of mistreatment. Fortunately, there are legal protections available in Illinois that can help you escape an abusive relationship.
If you are like many people, you may be unsure of whether the mistreatment you have endured counts as abuse. You may wonder, “Is psychological manipulation considered abuse?” or “What if I do not have physical marks from…
Continue Reading What is Considered Abuse for an Illinois Order of Protection?

Knowing when a marriage relationship is truly over can be nearly impossible. Many spouses waver between calling it quits and pursuing reconciliation for months or years before filing divorce paperwork. If your marriage is on rocky ground, you may be researching your options. Legal separation does not end a marriage, but it can offer important legal and financial protections. Read on to learn about the difference between divorce and legal separation and the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Divorce Versus Legal Separation
When a married couple divorces, their marriage is terminated and spouses are free to remarry. Legal separation,…
Continue Reading Should I Get a Divorce or Legal Separation in Illinois?

Domestic violence and abuse are extremely prevalent in today’s society. However, we rarely talk about it. Some victims of domestic violence believe that the abuser will change or that the abuse was an isolated event. Others are unsure of whether the mistreatment they are suffering is even considered abuse under Illinois law. If you have been assaulted, abused, or threatened by a family member, current or ex romantic partner, or current or former housemate, read on to learn about Emergency Orders of Protection in Illinois.
Is The Situation “Bad Enough” for a Protection Order?
Men and women of all ages,…
Continue Reading Should I Get an Emergency Order of Protection?

In a marriage, “yours” and “mine” become “ours.” Unfortunately, undoing this financial entanglement during divorce is one of the most complicated parts of the divorce process. Property held by the marital estate, or marital property, is jointly held by both spouses. Marital property must be properly valued and divided between the spouses in a divorce. Separate property, on the other hand, belongs only to one spouse. Typically, property either spouse acquires during the marriage is marital property and property a spouse owned prior to the marriage is separate property. However, differentiating between marital property and separate property is not so…
Continue Reading How Commingled Assets Can Complicate Your Illinois Divorce

Child custody matters can be complicated for anyone. However, custody and co-parenting concerns can be especially difficult to navigate for same-sex couples.
If you are getting divorced and you have children, you may wonder how the state defines each parent’s right to parenting time and parental responsibilities. You may wonder if homosexual couples are treated differently under the law than heterosexual couples. You may worry that you will not have a right to spend time with your child if your same-sex relationship ends. Concerns like these are valid, and the best way to know how best to handle child…
Continue Reading How Does Illinois Handle Child Custody Matters For Same-Sex Couples?