When the time comes to decide where their children will attend school, many parents may question the quality of public education and turn to private schools. It is no secret that private schools can be costly, so it is important for divorced parents to know who can decide if their children will attend a private school, and in the event a decision is made, who will be financially responsible.
Which Parent Decides if Children Can Enroll?
If a divorce has been finalized, the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities outlines who has the authority to make decisions on education or if this…
Continue Reading Enrolling Children in Private School When Divorced

Second parent adoption allows a non-biological parent to gain the same rights as a biological parent. Following the United States Supreme Court decision in Dobbs in  June 2022, discussions surrounding second parent adoption have increased, as many same sex couples are concerned additional landmark Supreme Court cases affecting their parental rights may be overturned.
What is Second Parent Adoption?
In a second parent adoption, a second adult establishes themselves as a legal parent of a child.  In the case of a LGBTQ+ couple, this often takes the form of a spouse adopting:

• The child born biologically to their partner during

…
Continue Reading Second Parent Adoption Following the Reversal of Roe v. Wade

Unique circumstances and needs make each adoption different. In some cases, adult adoption might be the most viable option to bring a family together. This process has slightly different requirements and results than other adoption cases. The state of Illinois allows adult adoption for a variety of reasons, including extra care provisions, the formal establishment of existing relationships and more.
What is Adult Adoption?
Adult adoption establishes a new legal relationship between the adult in question and the adoptive parent or parents. This process also officially terminates the legal parental relationship between the adult and their previous legal parent or…
Continue Reading Adult Adoption in Illinois

Effective December 1, 2022, the Circuit Court of Cook County has once again appointed Cailee J. Alderman as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) for adoption cases for a two-year term, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to the family law field.
Cailee continues to utilize her extensive background in adoption matters to represent the best interests of children throughout their cases. Her responsibilities as a GAL include:

• Investigating aspects of the case
• Interviewing children and additional parties
• Providing recommendations to produce the best possible outcome for the children involved

To become a GAL, the Circuit Court of Cook County requires individuals to…
Continue Reading Cailee J. Alderman Reinstalled as Guardian ad Litem for Adoption Cases by Circuit Court of Cook County

There are many circumstances in which a guardianship may be necessary. This may occur when the biological parents are not able to care for their child or are absent for a long period of time. Opting to become a guardian for a child is a major life decision that deserves careful consideration, but help may be available. It is important to understand the process and legalities surrounding this choice.
Adoption vs. Guardianship
There are a few key differences between adoption and guardianship. When adopting a child, the biological parents’ parental rights are permanently terminated. In a guardianship, however, the child’s…
Continue Reading How to Become a Guardian for a Minor Child in Illinois

Kogut & Wilson proudly announces Sara Riddick has joined the firm as an associate, focusing her practice in family and matrimonial law and expanding our team of compassionate, experienced attorneys.
Sara provides clients with honest, empathetic and thoughtful advice to best fit their needs. She first served Kogut & Wilson as a law clerk, gaining a substantial understanding of the field by working closely with the firm’s attorneys and clients. Through this experience, Sara familiarized herself with the firm, learning how to develop individualized plans that benefit each individual and family.
Prior to her law clerk experience with the firm,…
Continue Reading Kogut & Wilson Expands Roster with the Addition of Sara Riddick

When a family or individual decides it’s time to have children, an increasing amount of people have opted to utilize third-party reproduction methods including surrogacy and egg donations.
With these methods comes a unique set of challenges, with separate legal regulations and requirements, that individuals considering these options need to assess.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy is the term for an arrangement between a surrogate — an individual who agrees to carry the child — and the intended parent(s). In these arrangements, the surrogate agrees to give birth to a child for another individual or couple and agrees to surrender the child at…
Continue Reading Considering Surrogacy or Genetical Material Donation? Laws and Regulations to Know When Opting for Third-Party Reproduction

It takes a village a raise a child, but sometimes even a village doesn’t feel like enough support. For parents already struggling to communicate effectively, making decisions regarding their child or children can become even more overwhelming.
Parenting coordinators are individuals appointed by a court or by agreement of the parents to support successful communication, resolve conflicts between parents and assist in decision-making for the child’s best interests.
What is a Parenting Coordinator’s Role?
The parenting coordinator can be a mental health professional, attorney or an individual that has met the qualifications of a mediator with Family Mediation Services
They…
Continue Reading Solving Conflict Through Parenting Coordinators

As the holidays quickly approach, now is a great time to address and solidify holiday travel plans and parenting time schedules to minimize potential conflict before it’s too late.
What is a Holiday Visitation Schedule?
When both co-parents want to spend time with their children over the holidays, it is important to create a holiday visitation schedule. This schedule, usually agreed upon by both parents, allocates parenting time with each parent during the holidays. There are various forms that these visitation schedules can take, such as alternating major holidays year to year or allowing for out-of-state travel during certain holidays. Courts…
Continue Reading It’s Never Too Early: Addressing Holiday Plans with Your Co-Parent

With the divorce rate near 50%, more couples are choosing to cohabitate before marriage or in place thereof for various reasons. Some opt to live together to “test drive” what marriage would be like while others cohabitate because they believe that such an arrangement would allow them to avoid certain responsibilities or financial burdens that may come with marriage.
Whatever the case may be, those who cohabitate should consider forming a cohabitation agreement to protect themselves and their possessions.
What is a Cohabitation Agreement?
A cohabitation agreement is a contract between two unmarried parties who live in the same household…
Continue Reading Living Together Without Being Married? How Cohabitation Agreements Can Protect Assets