You may have heard the phrase, “What is yours is mine, and what is mine is yours.” Such words are often uttered between couples during the honeymoon phase. But if you are getting a divorce, those sentiments can quickly go out the window. This is especially true if one spouse is trying to hide assets during the divorce proceedings. The process of identifying and dividing marital property is significantly complicated, especially in high-asset divorces, but it is important to set emotions aside to protect your rights and finances.
Shielding Assets From Division 
The totality of the assets represents the…
Continue Reading My Spouse is Hiding Assets During the Divorce

In 2019, one million American women got a divorce and research shows that many of these women were the ones who initiated the divorce. If you are considering taking the step to end your marriage, you should know that you are likely to experience a major transition financially and personally. Working with a skilled divorce lawyer can help you navigate the legal and financial challenges associated with divorce and move on to a postive post-divorce future. 
Why is Divorce Initiated by Women?
One study found that when a divorce is initiated by a woman, it is related to clashes between…
Continue Reading Women Are More Likely To Initiate A Divorce

In Illinois, one in three women experiences domestic violence, which includes everything from physical injury to emotional abuse. If you are in an abusive relationship and want to end it permanently, you may be exploring your options for divorce. If you are in an abusive relationship and want to end it permanently, you may be exploring your options for divorce. Ending your marriage is often the best way to escape an abusive relationship, but the process is not easy. It can be intimidating to navigate a divorce when your safety is at stake. Fortunately, there are resources available that…
Continue Reading Divorce Involving Domestic Violence

It can be extremely difficult to know when a marriage is truly over. If a couple has been together for some time, there can be strong feelings and many happy memories that make it hard to break up. Sometimes, a couple gets divorced but then realizes that they still love each other and want to stay together.
If you are considering your options and weighing the possibility of a divorce, it is important to understand what might happen if you and your spouse reconcile after the divorce has been finalized. Also, it may be wise to consider alternatives to divorce,…
Continue Reading What Happens if We Divorce and Then Change Our Minds?

Divorce represents one of the most significant financial transitions a person can go through, and it can be easy to make costly mistakes if you are not careful. During your divorce, you may need to address shared assets, joint debts, child support, spousal support, and other significant financial matters. Making smart decisions during this time is essential for your financial well-being and your post-divorce future. Here are five common financial mistakes to avoid during your DuPage County Divorce.
Being Ignorant About the Household Finances
In some couples, one partner takes care of bill-paying and other financial responsibilities while the other…
Continue Reading Avoid These Common Financial Mistakes in Your DuPage County Divorce

Divorce mediation is a process during which divorcing spouses discuss unresolved divorce issues and look for mutually-agreeable solutions. It can be used to resolve disputes about child custody, division of assets and debts, spousal maintenance payments, and other issues that come up during a divorce. Mediation can also help divorcing parents communicate better and provide an opportunity to create a workable post-divorce parenting plan. This blog will explain the advantages of mediation for divorcing spouses in Illinois as well as the limitations of mediation as an alternative resolution method.
Basics of The Divorce Mediation Process
When divorcing spouses…
Continue Reading Should I Work With a Mediator During My Divorce?

Prior to 2016, the time a divorced or unmarried parent spent with his or her child was called “visitation.” However, courts have since changed the language in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) to refer to this time as “parenting time.” In order to ensure that the best interests of the child are served, restrictions on parenting time may be put into place by Illinois courts.
When Are Parenting Time Restrictions Implemented?
Courts presume that it is best for a child to have maximum involvement of both parents in his or her life. However, the child’s best…
Continue Reading Understanding Parenting Time Restrictions in Illinois

When parents get divorced, they must figure out how to handle the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. Some divorcing couples are able to reach an agreement about who will have the child on what days, who will retain the majority of the parenting time, and how important decisions about their child will be made. Other couples are unable to reach an agreement about one or more of these issues, and the court steps in to make a decision on the parents’ behalf.
The court seeks to resolve child custody disputes in a way that best serves the…
Continue Reading How Does a Guardian Ad Litem Affect a Divorce Case Involving Children?

When spouses with a high net worth divorce, the property division process can be complicated and contentious. There are a number of factors that must be considered in order to ensure that each spouse receives a fair share of marital assets. Identifying, valuing, and dividing property during a high-net-worth divorce can be a difficult task, as there are often a large number of assets to be divided, and many of these assets are complex in nature.
Identifying Marital Assets
The first step in dividing marital assets is to identify all of the assets that are subject to division. Any…
Continue Reading Property Division in Your Illinois High-Net-Worth Divorce: Complex Assets

Did you know that over half of all marriages in the world are arranged marriages? An arranged marriage is a marriage that is set up by the spouses’ respective family members or a matchmaker. Arranged marriages are most common in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. However, individuals living in the United States may also enter into arranged marriages.
The overall U.S. divorce rate hovers around 40-50 percent. However, only about four percent of arranged marriages end in divorce. Some argue that the low divorce rate is a product of excellent matchmaking skills, while others cite cultural norms…
Continue Reading Arranged Marriage and Divorce in DuPage County

When a couple gets married, they inevitably combine their finances, property, and personal belongings. Unfortunately, this becomes a point of vulnerability in some divorce cases. If one spouse feels they have been wronged, they may use the shared property to take revenge on the other spouse. A spouse intent on exacting revenge may smash the other spouse’s record collection or sell their property without permission. They may drain the joint savings account during a vacation with a new lover, intentionally wreck a shared vehicle, or take other vengeful actions out of spite.
If your spouse has sold, destroyed, or wasted…
Continue Reading What Can I Do If My Spouse Sold, Destroyed, or Wasted My Property During Divorce?

High-conflict divorce is wrought with disagreement, resentment, and hurt feelings. Every divorce involves some degree of contention, but a high-conflict divorce is often characterized by ongoing hostility, litigation, and often a lack of civility between the parties. Alternative resolution methods like mediation may be out of the question, and communication between parties is often strained.
But even if you are facing a contentious divorce, there are still steps you can take to help manage the situation and come out of it in a better place. Here are five tips for getting through your high-conflict divorce in Hinsdale,
How to Handle…
Continue Reading 5 Tips for Getting Through Your High-Conflict Divorce in Hinsdale

Alimony is not ordered in every Illinois divorce case. However, a spouse may be required to pay alimony in certain circumstances. If you are the breadwinner in your family and you plan to divorce soon, you may have questions about your alimony obligation.
Alimony payments, called “spousal maintenance” in Illinois, can be substantial. It is crucial that you understand your rights and responsibilities if you suspect that maintenance may be a factor in your divorce.
Spousal Maintenance May Be Negotiated or Ordered by the Court
There are a few different ways that a spouse may receive spousal maintenance…
Continue Reading How Much Alimony Will I Have to Pay If I Get Divorced in Illinois?