The divorce process can be stressful and difficult, and it can affect you both emotionally and financially. As you take steps to separate from your spouse, you may become concerned about how your money or property will be handled. While you may be able to resolve minor financial disagreements with your spouse during the divorce process, there are some situations where you may need to address significant financial concerns such as the concealment or destruction of marital assets. In these cases, it may be necessary to seek a financial restraining order. By understanding the role that these types of restraining…
Continue Reading Do I Need a Financial Restraining Order During My Divorce?

Over the past decade, the number of LGBTQ+ couples who have chosen to get married has increased significantly. However, just like any other couple, an LGBTQ+ couple may face problems in their marriage that could lead to a separation or divorce. While the same laws apply to same-sex couples or other LGBTQ+ partners as in “traditional,” opposite-sex marriages, there are a few unique issues that can arise in these situations. Because of this, it may be beneficial for LGBTQ+ couples to consider a prenuptial agreement. By discussing these issues with an attorney who is experienced in LGBTQ+ family …
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For parents who are divorced or separated, sharing custody of children is not always easy. A parent who has been used to making decisions for their children, providing care at all times, and handling child-related issues that arise may struggle to let go during the times that their children are not with them. While a well-crafted parenting plan can alleviate some of these issues by establishing rules and boundaries and detailing how certain parenting issues will be handled by both parents, some concerns may still arise about whether children are being properly cared for.
One issue that parents may encounter…
Continue Reading Can a Parent Who Shares Custody Object to the Use of a Babysitter?

If you are a business owner who is contemplating divorce, you may be wondering how the end of your marriage will affect your ability to continue owning and operating your business and generating income. This is a valid concern, and you may be worried that your divorce may affect both your personal life and your career, leading to disputes over the ownership of your business, as well as potential financial difficulties. By understanding how the divorce laws in Illinois may affect your business, the methods that may be used to establish the value of business assets, and your options…
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Parents often disagree about how child custody matters should be handled. For example, one parent may wish to have virtually all of the parental responsibilities and parenting time, while the other parent believes that custody should be split 50/50. Parents may also disagree about where their child should go to school, the types of extracurricular activities or religious practices the child should be involved in, or countless other issues.
When divorcing parents disagree regarding child-related legal issues, the court may require the parents to attend mediation. If you are a parent who is planning to divorce, make sure you understand…
Continue Reading What You Should Know About Mandatory Mediation During a Child Custody Dispute

When we talk about child custody and visitation, we usually do so in the context of parents spending time with their children. However, Illinois law allows certain non-parents to receive court-ordered visitation in certain situations.
According to Illinois law, grandparents, great-grandparents, stepparents, and siblings may be granted visitation rights.
When is a Family Member Able to Receive Visitation?
When somebody has court-ordered visitation, they are guaranteed the right to spend time with the child. This can be useful for situations involving family conflicts or when a child’s parent refuses to let them see a family member.
Illinois courts presume…
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Although it is hard to believe, summer break is just around the corner. For children, the end of the school year is often an event that kids look forward to all year. For divorced and unmarried co-parents, however, the end of the school year can bring significant challenges.
Managing a co-parenting schedule in which both parents have parenting time is difficult under the best circumstances. It can be even harder to maintain the schedule and communicate with the other parent about child-related concerns during summer break. If you are a divorced parent sharing custody, consider the following co-parenting tips…
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If you or your child’s other parent intends to move to a new home, it is important that you understand the legal requirements for doing so. When someone is co-parenting with an ex, moving is not as simple as packing up the belongings and driving to the new residence. Depending on the distance between the current residence and the new residence, there may be specific steps you need to take to be able to move with your child.
Determine if Your Move Counts as a Relocation
To understand the rights and responsibilities regarding parental relocations, you must first determine…
Continue Reading Planning to Move? Make Sure You Understand Illinois Parental Relocation Laws 

Parenting time, sometimes called visitation in casual conversation, is the time that a parent supervises a child and meets his or her everyday needs. In Illinois, the amount of parenting time a parent has is described in the parenting plan. Divorced and never-married parents may be able to negotiate the terms of their parenting plan or, if they cannot agree, the court will issue a parenting plan.
Many people have questions about how parenting time affects child support. Do you pay less in child support if you have the children more often? Can a parent reduce his or her…
Continue Reading Does the Amount of Parenting Time You Have Determine Child Support?

Whether you are unmarried or planning to divorce, child custody matters may be at the top of your mind. In Illinois, child custody is broken down into two main components. The allocation of parental responsibilities is the allocation of decision-making authority over the child. Parental responsibilities address questions such as where the child will go to school or what type of medical care the child will receive. Parenting time is the second component in a child custody case. Parenting time is the time a parent watches the child and is directly responsible for the child’s safety and well-being.   
Child custody…
Continue Reading Child Custody Myths Every Illinois Parent Should Be Aware of

Courts generally presume that both parents are capable of providing adequate supervision and care for a child. Unless there is a reason to believe otherwise, parents are generally given the right to have unrestricted parenting time (previously called visitation) with their child.
However, the child’s best interests are always the top priority in a child custody or divorce case. If there are concerns about a child’s safety or a parent’s ability to provide a safe environment for the child, the court may order supervised visitation.
Supervised Visitation and Other Parenting Time Restrictions
In some family law cases, a parent or…
Continue Reading When is Supervised Visitation Required by an Illinois Court? 

The divorce process can take months if not years – especially if the couple has children or complex finances. Divorcing parents may wish to use a temporary child custody order to decide and formalize their parenting responsibilities during the divorce process. In Illinois, temporary child custody orders are issued to protect the best interests of children and outline parenting time, legal decision-making authority, and other details of the parenting arrangements. Having a temporary child custody order can ensure that both parents understand their child-related rights and responsibilities. A temporary order can also promote consistency in the child’s life and ease…
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