116 N. York Street, 3rd Floor, Elmhurst, IL 60126
312-605-4041
Recent Blog Posts
Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Divorce Modifications in Illinois
Getting through the divorce process can be difficult for everyone involved. Spouses will need to address multiple details related to their finances and property, and in addition to determining how to divide marital property fairly, they will also need to make sure they will be able to meet their needs going forward. Parents who get divorced will need to make decisions about the custody of their children, and child support orders will be put in place. Addressing all of these issues and resolving the various disputes that may arise can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. Because of this, those who complete the divorce process are usually ready to put these matters behind them and move forward with their lives. However, in the years following a divorce, questions may arise about whether the orders put in place in family court can be modified.
If you have experienced changes in your life after finalizing your divorce, you will likely have many questions about what types of modifications you can request and the procedures you will need to follow in these cases. The attorneys of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC can answer any questions you may have about these issues, and we will inform you of your rights and advise you on how to proceed as you request a modification. We will provide you with representation in court hearings, and we will advocate on your behalf to ensure that your rights and your children's best interests will be protected in any modifications that the court puts in place.
What Steps Will Couples Follow When Settling a Divorce Amicably?
When preparing for divorce, many couples get ready for significant conflict, and they may resign themselves to having difficult arguments about issues such as their finances, the property they own, their living situations, and their children. However, a divorce does not have to be full of anger and animosity, and in some cases, a couple may agree that since ending their marriage is best for everyone involved, they will work together to complete the divorce process with minimal conflict.
An amicable, uncontested divorce may seem like an ideal solution that will allow legal issues to be addressed and resolved quickly and effectively. However, couples will still need to be aware of the procedures that must be followed in these cases, as well as the steps they can take to avoid potential problems that may arise in the future. Even though a couple may be looking to minimize expenses and resolve matters outside of court, it is a good idea for each spouse to have their own attorney who will represent their interests, address potential legal issues, and help them complete the divorce process effectively.
How Can Mental Health Issues Affect Decisions About Child Custody?
Legal matters related to child custody can become very complex from both an emotional and a legal standpoint. When parents choose to get a divorce, or when unmarried parents decide to end their relationship, they will need to make many decisions about how they will work together to raise their children, where children will live most of the time, when children will spend time with each parent, how various expenses will be handled, and multiple other issues. When a case involves mental health issues, these decisions can become even more complicated.
If a parent has a mental illness, a substance abuse problem, or another serious issue that might affect their ability to care for their child, the court may consider these factors when making a custody determination. When mental health issues are involved in a case, parents must consider what is in the best interests of their children while also ensuring they are prepared to address their own needs and concerns.
How Is Business Ownership Addressed During a Divorce?
Getting a divorce can be a difficult process, regardless of the situation surrounding the end of a couple's marriage. However, there are some issues that can complicate the divorce process, and if they are not handled correctly, a case can become much longer, more drawn-out, and more expensive. Financial concerns related to the division of marital property can often lead to contentious disputes, and this is especially true in situations involving business ownership. Whether divorcing spouses own a business together, a spouse owned a business before getting married, either spouse has an ownership share in a family business, or a couple owns multiple types of business interests, it is important to understand how these assets will be addressed during the divorce process.
The law firm of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC provides experienced, dedicated representation during complex divorce cases. We understand the challenges that can arise when dividing business interests during divorce, and we work diligently to protect the rights and interests of our clients throughout the divorce process. We can work with financial experts to ensure that business assets are valued properly, and we will advise our clients on the solutions that will protect their financial interests going forward.
When Can a Person Be Held in Contempt in a Divorce or Family Law Case?
In family law cases, the parties involved will often find themselves at odds with one another. Multiple types of contentious disagreements can arise, and a couple going through a divorce or parents who need to address issues related to child custody may ask a family court judge to make decisions and issue orders detailing how certain matters should be handled. However, conflicts may still continue even after a judge makes these decisions, and one party may accuse the other of violating the court's orders or failing to meet their requirements or obligations. In these situations, one party may ask that the other be held in contempt of court.
Addressing contempt in family law cases can often be a complex matter. A person who is charged with contempt may face serious consequences, and they will usually be looking to show that they did not commit the alleged violations. The other party will usually need to provide compelling evidence showing that willful violations of court orders occurred. To ensure that these matters will be addressed correctly, it is crucial to be represented by an attorney who has experience addressing contempt and other complex family law issues. At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we regularly represent clients in complex divorce and family law cases. We can help you understand your rights and options, and we will work to ensure that these issues can be resolved successfully.
Weiss-Kunz and Oliver Attorneys Attend the Annual AAML Gala
On August 27, 2022, Maxine Weiss Kunz and Amanda Oliver were proud to be able to attend the annual Gala of the Illinois chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). The event took place on the Anita Dee II, which set sail from DuSable Harbor in Chicago around 7:30 p.m. The weather was perfect, and wonderful food was served, including a taco bar and vegetarian options. Since the event had not been held during the past two years due to the Covid pandemic, everyone aboard was glad to be able to mingle and network with each other, dance, and enjoy themselves.
The event had a great turnout, with the majority of judges from Cook County and DuPage County attending. Many judges from Lake County were also in attendance, as well as numerous other family law professionals, including 604.10 child custody evaluators. Judge Regina Scannicchio of Cook County's Domestic Relations division gave a wonderful speech. Attorney Steven Lake accepted the Samuel S. Berger Award on behalf of the late Alan Toback. When he spoke about his partner of more than 30 years, everyone in attendance was moved when he broke down and could not speak.
How Are Disputes Over Spousal Support Handled in an Illinois Divorce?
The end of a marriage will involve many different financial issues. Since couples will typically combine their finances while they are married, they will both need to determine how they will be able to meet their needs on their own after their divorce. However, this can sometimes be difficult, especially if one spouse has been the primary or sole income earner for their family, and the other spouse has less work experience, is a stay-at-home parent, or will be unable to fully support themselves for other reasons.
Spousal support, also called spousal maintenance or alimony, may be an issue in a divorce case when one spouse has been financially dependent on the other during the marriage. However, the issue of spousal support can lead to contentious disputes during the divorce process. One spouse may believe that they deserve to receive support, while the other may be unhappy about the prospect of making regular payments to their ex-spouse, and they may be concerned about how this will affect their ability to meet their own ongoing needs. When addressing this issue, it is important to understand how Illinois law determines when a spouse may be eligible to receive spousal maintenance and how long support will be paid.
What Divorcing Parents Need to Know About Dividing Parenting Time
Getting a divorce with children can be difficult. The choice to end a couple’s marriage is likely to upend the lives of the entire family. As a couple determines how to separate various aspects of their lives, one key issue they will need to address will involve where children will primarily live and when they will spend time with each parent. Workable parenting time schedules will need to be created, and parents will also need to consider a variety of issues to ensure that they will be able to provide for their children’s best interests going forward.
While parents may be able to work together to determine how they will be able to meet their children’s needs, it is important to make sure all legal issues related to children are addressed correctly during the divorce process. To do so, a parent will want to secure representation from an attorney who has experience in these matters. The law firm of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC works to help parents resolve disputes related to their children and put agreements in place that will protect their rights. We work to ensure that our clients will be able to maintain strong relationships with their children and that they will have the resources they need as they move forward following a divorce.
What Divorcing Spouses Need to Know About Concealed Assets
During a divorce, there are a multitude of financial issues that will need to be addressed. Many of these are related to the property and assets a couple owns, as well as the debts they owe. The division of marital property can be a complicated matter, especially in high net worth divorce cases in which a couple may own multiple types of valuable property ranging from physical belongings, real estate, and vehicles to financial assets such as investments and business interests. In some cases, the process of evaluating and dividing marital assets can become more difficult due to attempts by one spouse to hide assets from the other and unfairly influence the outcome of their divorce.
How Are Retirement Assets Handled During a Divorce?
Marriages can break down for a variety of reasons, but once a couple chooses to pursue a divorce, they will often be looking to make a clean break, separate their lives from each other, and determine how they can move forward successfully. However, this is not always easy, especially when a couple needs to address complex financial issues related to the assets they own and other financial resources that are available to them. During the property division process, spouses may need to determine how to handle multiple types of complex assets, including retirement accounts and benefits. It is crucial to address these matters correctly, since retaining ownership of these assets will ensure that a person will have the financial resources they need later in life.