Money problems are a known initiator of countless divorces in the U.S. However, affluence does not prevent a marriage from breaking down. In a divorce case, the complexity of the divorce proceedings is influenced heavily by the spouses’ financial situation. The higher a couple’s net worth, the greater the financial impact of property division, spousal support, and child support determinations. If you are thinking about divorce and you or your spouse have a high income or own high-value assets, it is important to consider how the wealth may impact the divorce. The Division of Assets and Debts Most…

Over the last several years, more than a few prominent members of the media have been accused of mistreating staff or even creating a hostile work environment. Since NBC’s Matt Lauer was terminated from his position in 2017, there have been accusations against other news anchors, hosts, producers, directors, and television personalities. Unfortunately, being in the public eye does not prevent someone from becoming a victim of workplace sexual harassment. ABC News Faces Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Sexual harassment is a form of sex-based discrimination that is prohibited by state and federal law, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964.…

If you are a divorced or unmarried parent who shares custody (now known as Parental Responsibilities) with your ex, you may have questions about moving. Each state handles child custody issues differently. In Illinois, you may need to complete certain steps and get the court’s permission to move if the move counts as a “relocation” under Illinois family law. The county in which you reside and the distance between your current home and future home impact the steps needed to move with your child. Read on to learn the answers to frequently asked questions about parental relocations in Illinois. What…

If you are an unmarried parent or you plan to divorce, you may have questions and concerns about child custody. In Illinois, the term “child custody” is still used informally, but the state does not officially use the terms custody and visitation when referring to parenting duties. Instead, parenting duties are divided into parental responsibilities, meaning a parent’s authority to make decisions about the child’s schooling, healthcare, and other important matters, and parenting time, or the physical time a child spends with each parent. If you wish to obtain all of the parental responsibilities or parenting time, it is…

Television shows and movies have perpetuated many misconceptions about divorce. The most prevalent of these false beliefs is the notion that a divorce case will be wrought with turmoil and conflict if the spouses hire attorneys. On the contrary, having a divorce attorney can help you and your spouse negotiate a divorce settlement agreement without a stressful courtroom showdown. In fact, many divorce attorneys now utilize collaborative law to resolve divorce issues without litigation. In a collaborative divorce, each spouse and his or her attorney work with a collaborative team to discuss divorce issues, explore various solutions, and negotiate…

Relationships are infinitely complicated. If you are thinking about ending your marriage, you know just how difficult the decision can be. As you research your options under Illinois divorce law, you may be curious about what happens if a person changes his or her mind about divorce. Can you stop a divorce proceeding once you have filed the divorce paperwork? What happens if you get divorced and you regret it? You Cannot Undo a Divorce Once the Divorce is Finalized If you filed a petition for Dissolution of Marriage but the divorce is not yet finalized, you may be…

Activision Blizzard is responsible for some of the most popular video games on the market, including “Candy Crush,” “Call of Duty,” and many more. However, the company’s good reputation has recently been threatened by accusations of discrimination and sexual harassment. Many employees claim that they faced sex-based discrimination, retaliation, and even assault. The company was faced with a discrimination lawsuit on July 20, 2021, but some employees have been less than impressed with the company’s response to the lawsuit. California Department of Fair Employment and Housing Alleges Harassment and Discrimination In a suit filed by the California Department of Fair…

When we think of newlyweds, we typically imagine happy couples joyfully embarking on their marriage relationship. Unfortunately, for some spouses, the days, weeks, and months after the wedding are fraught with regret. If you got married and then realized that the marriage was a mistake, you may be eager to end the relationship. You may wonder whether you can get your marriage annulled. In Illinois, annulment is possible, but only under certain conditions. Married couples who do not meet the criteria for annulment must end their marriage through divorce. Illinois Law Regarding Annulments An annulment is referred to as…

So you are gearing up for a wedding in Illinois – congratulations! The time before your wedding can be one of the most precious and tender periods of your life. Preparing for a wedding is an exciting and exhausting process, and it is easy to let things slip through the cracks. Despite having so many things to do, one crucial thing that all couples should consider before they tie the knot is the value of a prenuptial agreement.  Nobody wants to think about their marriage ending before it begins, and some people are reluctant even to discuss a prenup…

Divorce is a distressing process that can have emotionally devastating consequences. Worse, it often comes on the heels of years of marital conflict. Understandably, divorcing spouses often feel lonely and are eager to begin dating once it becomes clear that their marriage has irreconcilably broken down. However, dating before your divorce is complete can have a negative effect on the outcome of your divorce.  Your Finances Are Under Scrutiny   One of the risks of dating someone during your divorce is that the money you spend on your new partner may be considered “dissipation of assets.” Dissipation occurs when a…

Flirting and making crude jokes with coworkers is unwise behavior for a number of reasons. Everybody has a different threshold for tolerating this behavior; what someone finds funny, someone else may find downright offensive, and what one person views as harmless flirtation may be perceived by someone else as unwanted harassment. Even a casual observer may object to behavior or language they see or overhear.  Workplaces are staffed by adults who are complex and imperfect. Many people have casual, flirtatious friendships with coworkers that, while they may be ill-advised, do not cross into the domain of sexual harassment. Yet workplace …

Although most couples in Illinois typically engage in the divorce process together, in some high-conflict divorces, one spouse will refuse to cooperate in the divorce proceedings. Your spouse may become nonresponsive, refuse to negotiate, or refuse to sign divorce papers. This may be in an attempt to control you, get revenge, or even avoid legal consequences due to previous criminal behavior. Whatever the reasons, a non-cooperative spouse can derail the divorce proceedings and make your life very difficult.  Only One Party Has to Sign Divorce Papers Fortunately, you have legal recourse to complete the divorce process, even if your spouse…

  Bill Cosby, 83, was released from prison on Wednesday. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said that the district attorney who prosecuted Cosby was bound by his predecessor’s promise not to bring charges against former actor and comedian. Cosby, who had been accused by around 60 women of various types of sexual misconduct, served three years of his 3-10 year prison sentence for the drugging and violating of Andrea Constand in 2004.  Many of the other accusations against Cosby are alleged to have occurred during work-related events, such as auditions or in the green room before television interviews. When such behavior…