Posted on July 23, 2021 in Spousal Maintenance/Alimony

Out of the different types of financial matters that couples will need to address during a divorce, spousal support can often be one of the most contentious issues. While parents will usually recognize that child support will be necessary to provide for their children’s needs, and couples understand that they will need to divide their marital property fairly and equitably, a spouse may be unhappy about the requirement to make ongoing payments to their former partner. However, there are situations where this form of support may be necessary, and it is important for spouses to understand how the laws that address this issue will apply in their case.

When addressing matters related to spousal support and other financial issues during your divorce, you can improve your chances of achieving a positive outcome by working with an experienced divorce attorney. Your lawyer can explain your rights and ensure that all financial factors in your case are considered properly, and they can act as your legal advocate, making sure your rights and interests will be protected in the decisions that are made.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 13, 2021 in Child Custody

When divorcing spouses share children, the divorce process is much more complex – legally, financially, and personally. If you are a parent getting a divorce in Illinois, it is essential to know what to expect. By educating yourself on child custody concerns, you can prepare for these concerns in advance. The better prepared you are, the better position you will be in to make the decisions that are right for you and your family.

For help, contact a skilled divorce lawyer who understands the unique challenges parents face during divorce and how to meet these challenges head-on. Getting divorced as a parent can seem overwhelming and intimidating, but you do not have to face this situation alone. An experienced attorney can protect your rights, explore your options with you, and help you take the legal steps necessary to accomplish your child custody goals. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 23, 2021 in Marital Agreements

Prenuptial agreements: Are any other legal documents subject to more controversy and misunderstanding? Prenuptial agreements, also called premarital agreements or “prenups,” are legal contracts that a couple signs before getting married. Many people grossly misunderstand the purpose of a prenuptial agreement. They assume that only couples who do not believe in the longevity of their marriage would sign a prenuptial agreement or that prenups are only used by wealthy husbands to prevent their wives from pocketing their wealth.

In reality, drafting a mutually beneficial prenuptial agreement is one of the most responsible and practical steps you can take before getting married. Prenups serve a wide range of purposes, including protecting both spouses’ property rights, avoiding stressful litigation in the event of divorce, and describing how property should be distributed if a spouse passes away.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 08, 2021 in Division of Assets

Although we rarely think of marriage in these terms, spouses who get married enter into a financial partnership with each other. Consequently, a marriage represents much more than the romantic or personal connection between spouses. It also represents a melding of the spouses’ finances. Per Illinois law, spouses are entitled to an equitable portion of the marital estate during divorce. Unfortunately, the process of allocating marital property between spouses in a divorce becomes much more complicated when a spouse lies about finances. 

If you are getting divorced, it is essential to understand your rights regarding the division of marital property, child support, spousal maintenance, and other divorce issues. If you suspect that your spouse is lying about finances or may attempt to hide assets during your divorce, contact a divorce attorney for help right away.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 25, 2021 in Divorce

Getting a divorce is rarely easy, especially in contentious cases involving high levels of conflict between spouses. It is understandable that spouses may not see eye to eye during the divorce process, and disagreements can be expected in most cases. However, there are some cases where a spouse may behave unreasonably and have unrealistic expectations about what should happen during the divorce process. Unfortunately, those who are getting divorced from a spouse with mental health issues will often experience difficult conflicts, and this is especially true when a spouse is a narcissist.

Divorces involving mental illness and concerns about the health and safety of the parties and their family members can become complex very quickly. If you believe that your spouse is a narcissist, you may need to prepare to address multiple types of conflicts and legal issues, and you will want to take steps to protect your rights and determine your best options for resolving disputes successfully. Having the right attorney on your side during this process is crucial. A lawyer who is experienced in high-conflict divorce cases can advise you of your options and provide you with skilled representation when addressing issues in the courtroom.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 11, 2021 in Divorce

The divorce process can be complicated regardless of a couple’s circumstances. Spouses may be involved in contentious disputes related to any or all of the issues that will need to be resolved before they can legally dissolve their marriage. Even if a couple agrees on most of the issues in their divorce and plans to avoid conflict wherever possible, they may still encounter difficulties related to their property, incomes, and finances. This is especially true in high net worth divorce cases where spouses own valuable assets or earn high incomes. In these cases, spouses will need to address a variety of unique financial concerns. It is crucial for spouses to secure representation by an attorney who is experienced in high asset divorce cases, and with the right lawyer on their side, they can make sure their legal and financial concerns will be addressed correctly.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 30, 2021 in Divorce

Being involved in any type of legal proceeding can be taxing, but finding yourself arguing about your marriage in a courtroom is especially difficult. It can be challenging to see your years of marriage being reduced to a legal battle and having a judge, who knows little to nothing about your life or relationship, make decisions about your future. While divorce litigation is often a last resort for divorcing couples, with the right attorney arguing on your behalf, you can be assured that your rights and interests will be protected.

Is a Divorce Trial Right for Me?

If you are in the beginning stages of your divorce, you should be aware of all of your options for resolving disputes with your spouse. Trial litigation is far from your only option, but depending on your circumstances, it may be the best fit for you and your family. Methods that you may use to resolve divorce-related issues include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 20, 2021 in Family Law

Choosing to expand your family through adoption is a choice that greatly impacts the lives of everyone who is involved. For the child, they are given a loving home and family that they would not have otherwise. For the adoptive parents, they are able to help another person for the rest of their lives and build a unique, loving relationship with this child. Your biological children will have a new sibling to bond with, and all of your other family and friends will get to create a relationship with your new child.  

Many do not realize the large number of children who are living without a family. In Illinois alone, 17,920 children are in foster care; 3,347 of which are waiting for adoptive families. Multiply this number by 50 for an estimate of the number of kids without families across the U.S., and this does not include the children across the world living in a similar situation. Adopting a child is truly a gift from one person to another, and understanding the legal process that adoption entails is an important first step in helping another child.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 26, 2021 in Divorce

When it comes to divorce, a parent’s biggest concern is often with how their decision to end their marriage will impact their children. You have likely heard that divorce is a traumatizing experience that can ruin someone’s childhood, or maybe you are concerned that the divorce will sever you and your children’s relationship altogether. It is true that your divorce will be difficult to handle; after all, your kids have grown up in a two-parent household up to this point, but rarely is divorce as devastating to your children as you imagine that it will be. 

As a firm that has helped numerous families through their divorce, we have heard your concerns time and time again. All parents want the best for their kids, and sometimes they will sacrifice their own happiness in the process. If you have come to the realization that divorce is your next step, our attorneys are here to stand by your side. We have created a guide that outlines all you need to know about how you can help your child through your divorce, allowing you to do what is right for you while continuing to be an advocate for your children along the way. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 12, 2021 in Divorce

When you imagine a divorce, you likely picture two spouses screaming at each other in the center of a courtroom. The spouses cannot come to an agreement and neither spouse is willing to compromise, so the judge intervenes on their behalf and makes a decision that neither party is truly happy with. While these contentious types of divorces do occur, most divorce proceedings are much less dramatic than how they are depicted on TV. Before you begin the legal portion of your divorce, it is important to know your options and determine which type of divorce proceedings are best for you and your spouse. 

Analyzing Your Relationship

As much as you may not want to reminisce about your marriage or think about ending your union with your spouse, you will need to take time to consider the current state of your relationship before selecting which type of divorce you should pursue. The state of Illinois has a variety of options so that you can choose the one that works best for you. Can you and your spouse come to an agreement or do you struggle to find common ground? Are you each willing to compromise or are you both strong-headed? Is it necessary that you maintain an amicable relationship moving forward or will you be parting ways forever? By considering questions like these, you can better determine how well you can work together--or your inability to do so--which can greatly impact the types of divorce proceedings that you should consider.

Continue Reading ››