Monthly Archives: March 2015

Remarriage for Americans Reaches New High

More than ever, American adults are willing to give marriage a second, or third, chance. This is according to data recently released by the United States Census Bureau, which examined survey results from 2008 to 2012. The research looked at the marital status and other socio-economic factors to help identify current trends emerging throughout the country. Remarriage Studies Released earlier this month, the Census Bureau’s report, “RemarriageContinue reading

Tips for Making a Joint Parenting Agreement Work

Raising children can be very difficult for divorced or unmarried parents, especially if the relationship between them is strained. However, a child deserves the best from his or parents, and in many situations, that requires parents to put their differences aside and focus their efforts on meeting the child’s needs. Parents in Illinois with joint custody, or shared custody, of their children must do moreContinue reading

Finding Hidden Assets in a Divorce

Property and asset division are two of the biggest issues that come with any divorce. Each partner contributed to the couple’s shared pool of assets, and when the couple decides to end their marriage, part of the process is to make sure these assets are divided fairly among the spouses. In Illinois, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act does not require that marital assets be dividedContinue reading

Calculating Spousal Maintenance Awards in Illinois

The decision to divorce is a difficult one under the best of circumstances. The process of divorce can be challenging as well, as a couple must decide, or leave the court to decide, on considerations such as property division, child custody and support issues, and, in some cases, spousal maintenance. Spousal Maintenance In the state of Illinois, any financial support provided to a party by hisContinue reading

Children’s Testimony in Custody Cases

It is a hard truth that when many parents decide to divorce, they are unable to work through an agreeable child custody arrangement. Instead, many of these cases become a heated, mud-slinging, all-out battle. There are many different reasons for this scenario. In the majority of cases, it is because both parents truly love their child and do not want the child to only be withContinue reading

Does Living Together First Increase a Couple’s Divorce Risk?

In the past five decades, the number of couples living together without a marriage license has increased by 900 percent. In 2012, there were almost eight million couples living together, compared to just under three million in 1996. A recent studyhas concluded that living together before marriage – at least after reaching the age of 23 years old – may not the high-risk divorce factor that many peopleContinue reading

Children’s Testimony in Custody Cases

It is a hard truth that when many parents decide to divorce, they are unable to work through an agreeable child custody arrangement. Instead, many of these cases become a heated, mud-slinging, all-out battle. There are many different reasons for this scenario. In the majority of cases, it is because both parents truly love their child and do not want the child to only be withContinue reading

Does Living Together First Increase a Couple’s Divorce Risk?

In the past five decades, the number of couples living together without a marriage license has increased by 900 percent. In 2012, there were almost eight million couples living together, compared to just under three million in 1996. A recent studyhas concluded that living together before marriage – at least after reaching the age of 23 years old – may not the high-risk divorce factor that many peopleContinue reading

Can Adult Children Be Held Responsible for Nursing Home Costs?

As the average life expectancy in this country increases, one of the most difficult decisions that many adult children are faced with is placing their elderly parents in nursing homes. A recent ruling by the Ohio Court of Appeals reaffirms the importance of families consulting with elder law attorneys when making decisions that involve an older family member’s future and long-term care. The decision to place aContinue reading

What Happens to Digital Assets after Death?

Many people make arrangements for their property and assets for when they die. This is usually done through wills and/or trusts. However, over the past several years, more and more people are trying to figure out what they should do with their digital assets. An individual’s digital assets typically include email accounts, online music or photo libraries, and social media accounts on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, orContinue reading