Latest from Kane County Divorce Blog

Divorce is a challenging life event that can have far-reaching consequences, including financial ones. While divorce itself does not directly change your credit score, the financial actions taken during and after a divorce can significantly impact your credit health. By understanding potential risks and properly planning, you can protect your credit score during this transitional period. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can guide you through the financial aspects of divorce to help minimize its impact on your financial future.
How Can Divorce Lead to Credit Problems?
Divorce often involves dividing marital debts and assets, which can result in financial
Continue Reading Can a Divorce Affect My Credit Score?

Divorce reshapes many aspects of life, including how parents plan for their children’s futures. Divorced parents may face financial challenges when college is on the horizon, especially when juggling separate households and personal financial goals. 
Balancing your child’s educational needs with your own stability requires careful financial planning, strategic budgeting, and a willingness to collaborate with your co-parent. Whether you are revisiting your divorce agreement or starting from the beginning, an experienced Illinois family law attorney can help you navigate college expenses without derailing your post-divorce financial plans.
What Are My Legal Obligations Under Illinois Law?
The Illinois Marriage and
Continue Reading How Can I Budget for College After a Divorce?

Divorce proceedings can be stressful and emotionally charged, especially when disputes arise over procedural matters like venue changes. A motion to change venue can significantly impact how your divorce case will proceed. It is very important to understand your rights and options when faced with a venue change request in order to protect your rights. A knowledgeable Illinois divorce attorney can help you navigate venue disputes and build a strong case.
What Is a Motion to Change Venue in Divorce?
A motion to change venue is a formal request to move a divorce case to a different court or
Continue Reading Can You Contest a Venue Change Request in an Illinois Divorce?

Prenuptial agreements are often misunderstood, with many common myths making people hesitant to consider them. However, these agreements are simply meant to outline how assets and debts would be divided in the event of divorce or death. Addressing these misconceptions can help couples understand the true significance of a prenuptial agreement. An Illinois family law attorney can help couples draft a fair and enforceable prenuptial agreement that protects their future.
Does Signing a Prenuptial Agreement Mean You Expect a Divorce?
One of the biggest misconceptions about prenuptial agreements is that signing one means you are already anticipating that your marriage
Continue Reading Debunking Misconceptions about Prenuptial Agreements

When parents share custody of their children, relocating to a new area can create significant challenges. For the non-relocating parent, a move can disrupt parenting time, impact their relationship with the child, and lead to logistical obstacles. However, state law gives non-relocating parents the right to object to a move and take steps to protect their custody arrangement. If you are facing a custody dispute involving a relocation, an experienced Illinois family law attorney can help you understand your parental rights and options.
What Are the Relocation Rules in Illinois?
Illinois law distinguishes the differences between regular moves and relocations.
Continue Reading Can a Parent Stop Relocation in Illinois?

Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, provides financial stability after divorce– but what happens when one party remarries? Remarriage can significantly impact spousal maintenance agreements and raise many questions about termination or modification. Whether you are the recipient or the payer, it is essential to understand the implications that remarriage can have for your spousal support agreement. If you or your spouse will be getting remarried soon, an Illinois divorce attorney can help protect your rights and provide legal guidance.
What Happens if the Recipient Remarries?
In Illinois, when the recipient of spousal support gets remarried, the agreement is
Continue Reading How Does Remarriage Affect Spousal Maintenance in Illinois?

Dividing property can be one of the most challenging aspects of a divorce. This is especially true when determining whether an inheritance should be considered marital property that must be divided. For many, this is a critical issue, as inheritances often hold both financial and sentimental value. 
Understanding how inheritances are treated in Illinois divorce cases and how to protect them can make a substantial difference in the outcome of your property division. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can guide you through this process and help ensure that your rights and assets are protected.
What Does Illinois Law Say
Continue Reading Are Inheritances Considered Marital Property in Illinois?

Child support is designed to provide children with the necessary financial support to meet their needs and maintain their well-being, even when their parents are no longer living together. While many may assume child support only covers basic needs like food and shelter, Illinois law recognizes that raising a child involves a wide range of expenses, such as healthcare, education, and extracurricular activities.
By understanding what child support includes, parents can effectively navigate family law issues and provide for their children. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can guide you through child support matters and help protect the well-being of
Continue Reading What Does Child Support Include in Illinois?

Filing taxes is a complex process that can become even more complicated during a divorce. Deciding whether to file jointly or separately is a critical factor that can have a significant impact on your finances. To make an informed decision, it is important to understand how IRS rules and state laws affect your tax filing status. An experienced Kane County, IL divorce attorney can provide guidance throughout this process to help ensure your financial and legal interests are protected.
What Does It Mean to File Taxes Jointly or Separately?
When you jointly file taxes, both spouses combine their income,
Continue Reading Should You File Taxes Jointly or Separately During Divorce?

Divorce agreements are designed to provide clear rules for parenting time, financial support, and other post-divorce arrangements. However, disputes may arise when an ex-spouse does not follow these court orders. Whether you are dealing with unpaid spousal support or denied visitation, understanding your legal options can help you effectively resolve the issue. An Illinois family law attorney can help you enforce court orders and protect your rights.
How Can You Enforce a Court Order in Illinois?
The legal system offers tactics to enforce compliance, with steps such as:

  • Documenting the Violation: Keep records of missed payments, denied visitation dates, and


Continue Reading How Do Illinois Courts Enforce Divorce Orders? 

For business owners, protecting the future of their business is a critical personal matter. It represents years of hard work, sacrifices, and financial investments. However, during a divorce, the business could be considered a marital asset and may be subject to division. 
Whether a business is split or remains untouched can depend on factors such as when the business was established, each spouse’s role in it, and any existing protections. If you are concerned about what will happen to your business during your divorce, an Illinois family law attorney can offer personalized guidance to help you secure your hard-earned
Continue Reading Will An Illinois Divorce Affect My Business?

After a long and stressful divorce process, reaching a divorce agreement can feel like a huge relief. However, issues may occur if one spouse fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, leaving the other with financial, legal, or emotional frustrations. If your ex-spouse is not following your divorce decree, there are several legal steps you can take to address the situation. A skilled Illinois family law attorney can help you enforce your divorce agreement and pursue options to protect your rights.
What Can You Do if Your Ex Refuses to Pay Child or Spousal Support?
When an ex-spouse
Continue Reading What if My Ex Refuses to Follow the Divorce Agreement?

Divorce is never simple, but for people aged 50 or older who are ending a marriage, the challenges can be incredibly complex. Also known as “gray divorce“, one of the most pressing concerns in these later-in-life divorces is the impact on retirement income. Decades of shared finances, long-term investments, and retirement planning now need to be carefully untangled. The stakes are high for those nearing or already in retirement, as a reduced retirement income can affect quality of life, healthcare options, and even the ability to maintain independence. An experienced Illinois divorce attorney can help ensure that your
Continue Reading Will Divorce Impact My Retirement Income in Illinois?

Going through a divorce can be overwhelming, especially for stay-at-home parents who may not have had the same financial independence as their spouse. Without the security of a regular income or recent work experience, stay-at-home parents may feel particularly vulnerable as they face the uncertainties of life after divorce. This is why it is essential for stay-at-home parents to take proactive steps to protect their financial future. If you are a stay-at-home parent dealing with this significant life transition, an experienced Illinois divorce attorney can help you navigate these legal and economic challenges.
What Are Your Spousal Maintenance Rights in
Continue Reading How Stay-at-Home Parents Can Protect Finances in Divorce

In custody disputes, the question of whether a child can choose where to live may arise, which can be an emotional and complicated issue for parents. Many wonder if their child’s voice matters in court and, if so, how much influence their preferences hold in the eyes of the law. While children’s wishes are considered in Illinois custody cases, they are only part of a broader picture that focuses on the child’s best interests. 
Understanding how a child’s choice fits into a custody decision can help parents navigate these challenging times. A knowledgeable Illinois family law attorney can offer
Continue Reading Do Children Have a Say in Illinois Custody Decisions?

Paternity is an important legal matter that determines a child’s biological father. While many paternity issues are resolved during pregnancy or shortly after birth, situations arise where a parent may want to dispute paternity well after a child has been born. To navigate this complex issue, it is essential for parents to understand the legal steps involved in disputing paternity. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can help guide you through the process and represent your best interests in court. 
What Are the Reasons for Disputing Paternity?
Several reasons may lead someone to dispute paternity after birth. Common situations include:
Continue Reading Can Paternity Be Disputed After Birth in Illinois?