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When you choose to end your marriage through divorce, you will need to address many subjects in connection with your finances, your living arrangements, your relationships with your children and other family members, and other parts of your life. Dealing with all of this can be overwhelming, and it can be easy to overlook certain subjects that may not seem as important in the midst of legal proceedings and major life changes. Estate planning can be one topic that may seem like something that can be addressed in the future rather than right away. However, the topics which get
Continue Reading Should I Update My Estate Plan During My Divorce?

The process of divorce is rarely easy, but it can become especially challenging in situations involving high levels of conflict between spouses. In these cases, emotions can run high, and spouses may struggle to find common ground on important issues such as child custody, asset division, and spousal support.
If you are going through a high-conflict divorce in Illinois, it is essential that you take steps to protect your rights. By being proactive and seeking legal guidance from a divorce attorney who has experience representing clients in high-conflict cases, you can ensure that your interests are safeguarded throughout the
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During divorces and other family law cases, parents may need to resolve subjects related to child custody, and they may disagree on how to divide or share parental responsibilities and parenting time. Child custody-related disputes can be emotionally draining and difficult for all parties involved. Resolving these disputes through litigation in court can lead to increased hostility between parents, and prolonged legal battles can have negative effects on all members of a family. 
Fortunately, there is an alternative method that offers numerous benefits for families who need to address child custody issues: mediation. To determine whether this option
Continue Reading The Benefits of Mediation in Child Custody Disputes

Going through a divorce can be emotionally challenging for anyone, but it can be especially complicated and difficult for parents. If you have children, you will need to address a variety of  subjects related to child custody (now called “parental responsibilities” in Illinois) during your divorce. This process can not only involve  dealing with legal factors, but the changes you and your ex  may be required to make in your lives can also lead to emotional turmoil. You may be able to alleviate some stress and minimize difficulties by agreeing to work together to raise your children as co-parents, even
Continue Reading 6 Tips for Co-Parenting Successfully After Divorce

Going through a divorce can be emotionally challenging for anyone, but it can be especially complicated and difficult for parents. If you have children, you will need to address a variety of  subjects related to child custody (now called “parental responsibilities” in Illinois) during your divorce. This process can not only involve  dealing with legal factors, but the changes you and your ex  may be required to make in your lives can also lead to emotional turmoil. You may be able to alleviate some stress and minimize difficulties by agreeing to work together to raise your children as co-parents, even
Continue Reading 6 Tips for Co-Parenting Successfully After A Divorce

A prenuptial agreement, also known as a “prenup” or premarital agreement, is a legal contract that a couple may enter into before getting married. This agreement outlines how certain issues will be handled either during a divorce, or upon the death of one spouse, including the division of assets and liabilities. While many people associate prenups with property division, these agreements can also address other important financial issues, such as alimony. For those who are considering a prenuptial agreement and want to know more about their options for addressing alimony, a skilled family law attorney can provide very
Continue Reading Can a Prenuptial Agreement Address the Subject of Alimony in an Illinois Divorce?

Divorce is rarely an easy or simple process, but it can become even more complicated and difficult when children are involved. When parents address child custody (now called parental responsibilities in Illinois) issues during divorce proceedings, they will need to create a “Parenting Plan” document which outlines how child-related issues will be handled by the parents going forward. A well-crafted “Parenting Plan” document can help avoid conflict and provide stability for children. When negotiating the terms of a parenting agreement, a skilled family law attorney can help protect your parental rights and provide guidance on how to protect your children’s
Continue Reading 5 Tips for Negotiating a “Parenting Plan” During a Divorce

The process of divorce can be emotionally and financially draining. This is particularly true for couples who have a high net worth, as they often have complex financial situations that need careful consideration as they work to separate their lives from each other and legally dissolve their marriage. If you are in this situation, addressing these vital financial issues will be crucial, since it will ensure that you will be able to move forward and maintain financial stability after terminating your marriage.
Key Financial Issues to Consider During a High Net Worth Divorce

  • Categorizing marital property vs. separate property: An

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    When you are going through a divorce, you may be concerned about how it will affect a professional practice that you have worked hard to build. As you proceed with the process of ending your marriage, it is essential to take steps to protect your professional practice and ensure its continued success. Here are some important considerations as you address issues related to the division of marital property and other divorce-related concerns:

    Hire an Experienced Divorce Attorney
    The first step towards protecting your professional practice is to work with a divorce lawyer who understands the complexities of business ownership
    Continue Reading How Can I Protect My Professional Practice During My Divorce?

    Divorce can be a difficult and emotional process for both parents and children. When parents decide to separate, it is crucial to have open and honest conversations with children to help them understand and cope with the changes that are about to occur in their lives. Here are some helpful tips for discussing your divorce with your children:
    1. Plan Ahead
    Before talking to your children about divorce, take some time to plan what you will say and how you will approach the conversation. Choose a calm and quiet setting where everyone can feel comfortable and avoid distractions. If possible,
    Continue Reading 7 Tips for Talking to Your Children About Divorce

    Child support is a vital part of family law. It ensures the well-being of children whose parents are no longer together. In Illinois, understanding the period of child support obligations is essential for both custodial and non-custodial parents. Below we will explore the guidelines and regulations surrounding child support in Illinois, shedding light on how long one may be required to pay child support.
    Determining Child Support in Illinois
    Before diving into the timeframe of child support, it is important to understand how child support amounts are calculated in Illinois. The state follows specific guidelines that consider various factors, including
    Continue Reading How Many Years Do You Have to Pay Child Support in Illinois?

    In today’s modern world, blended families are more common than ever, and many stepparents have taken a key role in their stepchildren’s lives. However, a stepparent does not have the same legal rights in relation to a stepchild that a biological parent does. In Illinois, though, there is a legal process of adoption by which a stepparent may gain those rights.

    Stepparent Adoption Process in Illinois
    Many stepparents love their stepchildren as if the child is their own, and they want to adopt the child to become the child’s official, legal parent.
    The criteria for obtaining legal stepparent adoption in
    Continue Reading Can a Stepparent Adopt a Stepchild in Illinois?

    Going through a divorce can be very difficult, regardless of the situation. When children are involved, however, things can become much more complicated, and disagreements between parents can be emotionally charged and difficult to resolve. Many of the most significant concerns for divorcing parents will be related to child custody, including determining how parenting time will be divided. Depending on a family’s circumstances, the needs of the children, and other factors, there are a wide variety of different arrangements for sharing physical custody of children. By understanding the options that are available, parents can take steps to make sure
    Continue Reading How Can Parenting Time Be Divided in an Illinois Divorce?

    During a divorce, issues related to the division of marital property can often be some of the most important concerns to address. All of the money and property owned by a couple must be divided in a manner that is fair to both parties. However, there are some situations where the ability to divide assets equitably may be difficult due to actions taken by one spouse. To avoid dividing certain assets, spouses may sometimes attempt to hide money or property. This can be a significant concern in cases where a couple owns a family business that is primarily managed
    Continue Reading Can a Spouse Use a Business to Hide Assets During the Divorce Process?

    Ending a marriage can be challenging for anyone, but the divorce process can be particularly tough for stay-at-home parents. If you have been out of the workforce for some time, you may be unsure about your financial stability, and whether you will have enough money to cover your ongoing expenses. If your spouse has been the one to handle your family’s finances, you may be uncertain about the amount of income that is coming in or the extent of the assets you own. You may also be concerned about whether you will be able to continue staying at home to
    Continue Reading How Can I Protect Myself During Divorce as a Stay-at-Home Parent?

    Getting a divorce can be a tough process, including emotionally and financially. Even after the  divorce is finalized, sometimes certain financial issues can linger for years if they were not addressed properly during the divorce process. One aspect of the financial side of a divorce which spouses in Illinois should be aware of is called a QDRO, which many times is used to divide retirement benefits. By understanding when a QDRO may be used and how it can affect your financial future, you can make sure you are taking the correct steps to protect your interests, and avoid potential complications
    Continue Reading When Is a QDRO Used in an Illinois Divorce?