A status hearing is an opportunity for the parties in a divorce case to inform and update the court about the progress made on previously-identified issues and to determine the best next steps. The court will address issues during the hearing based on the past matters and suggestions raised by the court, the progress so far and listen to any new issue arising. The status hearing may cover for example issues related to a parenting plan, child custody/parental rights, or child support for a minor child.
The attorneys are expected to discuss the issues and attempt to find solutions and…
Continue Reading What is a Status Hearing in the Illinois Family Court?

Are Divorce Records Public?
There are certain events in a person’s life that must be recorded by the state as part of its public and vital records. These records which include a child’s birth, a marriage, a divorce, and a person’s death, are reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There are many reasons why such records are public records available to the public.
Apart from establishing a person’s existence and right to citizenship, these records also protect their individual identity. They are also necessary to access benefits such as a social security number, enrolling in school, and…
Continue Reading How Can I keep My Divorce in Illinois Private?

When a marriage does not work out and couples decide it is better to part ways than to endure the agony of staying in an unhappy, unhealthy situation, divorce is the solution. The decision to get a divorce does not come easy. It comes with a lot of uncertainty and emotions that can be overwhelming. Once you finally choose to get a divorce, it is important to know the steps you need to take in order to receive a fair outcome. So, where do you begin?
Consult a Chicago divorce attorney
In any type of divorce, no matter how amicable…
Continue Reading Starting The Divorce Process in Chicago

During their twenty years of marriage, Harry and Barbara’s attitude toward money was that it belonged to them as a couple. They shared the family finances and had joint bank accounts in both their names Also, because they earned almost the same amount of income, it would make sense to divide the family money 50-50 during divorce. That is what most people would think, but that is not an entirely correct answer.
How is Equitable Division Defined
The term that correctly describes division of marital assets in Illinois is “equitably”. While you may think this means that assets will…
Continue Reading Equitable Division in a Chicago Divorce

Going through a divorce is a difficult process. It becomes more difficult if you and your spouse cannot agree on whose responsibility it is to pay for the most important and necessary expenses. It is common to have a workable, temporary agreement to stabilize the family living routine and help ease along the process until the divorce becomes final. Because getting a divorce is life-changing, you will need to consult an experienced Chicago divorce attorney who can help you with the process. To help you sort through whose responsibility it is to pay the bills and expenses, here is an…
Continue Reading Who Pays the Bills During Divorce?

How much does divorce cost in Illinois?
One of your major concerns when getting a divorce in Illinois is how much a divorce will cost. The answer is that there is no clear-cut, fixed amount for anyone who is thinking of getting a divorce. All divorces are different. It might cost more or less depending on many elements or factors. One of these factors is if you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse have some type of settlement agreement or not. Still, there are a few ways to get an idea of how much your divorce may cost.

Divorce is a difficult process,…
Continue Reading How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Illinois? (Updated January 2023)

Family law is more than just divorce or custody hearings. While this is a big part of what family law firms do, the most rewarding part of a family law case is the end of the case and seeing a satisfied, happy, relieved client.
Family law also deals with adoption, prenuptial agreements, paternity, and modifying existing law orders. If you are dealing with anything that has to do with family relationships, you can work with a family law firm to get help with your case.
Petrelli Previtera focuses on the client and the client’s goals when we work with families.
Continue Reading Family Law and Your Goals

As a way of moving forward with life post-divorce and considering your new financial circumstances, you might decide to relocate to a new location with your children. Generally, child custody arrangements should indicate if you are permitted to relocate with your children, including geographical limitations or how far you can move. Even so, if your child custody agreement does indicate so, the first thing you need to do is to discuss with the other parent your decision of relocating with the children. If you fail to consult with them first, there are several problems that could run into.
The biggest…
Continue Reading What Will Change in the Custody Agreement If You Relocate After a Divorce?

Because Illinois is an equitable distribution state, your marital assets will be divided in a manner that the court deems as fair. The court will consider the facts and circumstances of your case and it uses these elements to decide how to distribute assets between you and your ex-spouse. The decision of the court on how to divide the marital estate will greatly impact your future, so it is important that you have an understanding of the process.
Keep in mind that you have the right to the assets that would legally belong to you once the divorce is finalized…
Continue Reading What to Watch Out for If You Think Your Soon-to-Be-Ex Spouse Could Be Hiding Assets?

With divorce in Chicago, the goal is for you to eventually move forward. During the process, you may still be living with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse. It is understandable that there is a need for your spouse to move out of the marital home. The fact is, however, that the court system can only intervene in this type of scenario if there is clear evidence of danger to you or your children. There are three ways for you to deal with this dilemma with the help of an experienced Chicago divorce or family law attorney:

• Orders of Protection. This type

…
Continue Reading What Can I Do? I Need My Spouse to Leave the House

Previously, before the new laws in 2016 came into effect, we had in Illinois what was called “child custody”. Along with the dramatic changes on parenting laws between divorced couples, there also came a new name for “child custody”. Now, it is called “allocation of parental responsibilities”. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), calls for parents to decide how they will distribute parental responsibility and parenting time. These decisions will need to be stated in an official parenting agreement.
The Illinois law on allocation of parental responsibilities encourages parents to formulate an outline of items that will…
Continue Reading The Assignment of Parental Responsibilities in Illinois

Just like any couple, Cooper and Sasha never imagined their marriage heading toward divorce. They settled into their dream home and eventually the two had a son. However, fast-forward seven years later, Sasha could not stand the sight of Cooper and his quirkiness, which during their courtship endeared him to her. Sasha finally asked Cooper for a divorce.
They had an amicable divorce. Cooper and Sasha settled on an agreement about allocation of parental responsibilities. The son would stay and live most of the time with his mother. Sasha and her son moved to a different neighborhood. Two years…
Continue Reading How A Father Could Change Custody in Chicago

As a grandparent to the children of divorced parents, seeing your grandchildren may prove to be difficult at times. To help illustrate this point, we have the case of Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Simon’s daughter, Sheryll, who has four children with Curtis. Sheryll and Curtis have been estranged for some time. Curtis is miffed with Sheryll’s family because Sheryll has found love with someone else. Because of this, Curtis has been very difficult to contact and has refused to let Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Simon visit their four grandchildren.
What does Illinois law say?
It is stated in Section 607(b)…
Continue Reading Do Grandparents Have Rights on Parenting Time?