Monthly Archives: August 2016

Modifying the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities: Can It Be Done?

There are many reasons that parents may wish to modify their allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody) order, but can a parent really change a court order once it has been entered? If so, under what circumstances? The following information may be able to provide guidance to those who wish to modify the allocation of parental responsibilities for their child. Obtaining a Modification Is Often Difficult TheContinue reading

What Can You Expect to Pay for an Illinois Divorce?

Many couples who decide to file for divorce wonder how much it will cost them. Generally, it is the monetary value they are referencing. However, many are also curious about the amount of time it will take to complete the process. The following information can give you some guidance, regardless of whether you are planning on filing for a complex, high asset divorce or a simple, uncontestedContinue reading

Registering as a Putative Father Can Protect Your Rights

Recent estimates indicate that two out of every five babies born in the United States are born to mothers who are not married at the time. The rate is even higher among certain racial groups and socioeconomic classes. Regardless of ethnicity or income level, single parenthood is a daunting concept, and many unwed mothers often give thought to the idea of putting their child upContinue reading

Before You Hit Send: The Dangers of Texting Your Spouse During Divorce

Communication is the key to resolving just about any difficult situation in life, including the differences between spouses in a divorce. In fact, if you and your spouse can communicate effectively, you can save a great deal of time, money, and stress along the way. It is important to recognize, however, that there is such a thing as communicating too much, especially in today’s world ofContinue reading

Planning for Back-to-School Following Your Divorce

If you are recently divorced, you are probably starting to realize how different life is now compared to when you were married. The differences are most notable for divorced parents who must acclimate to a situation in which they spend less time with their children than before while still tending to their needs. For many parents, the first school year following a divorce can be the mostContinue reading

The Possible Effects of Marital Misconduct on Your Divorce

Couples get divorced for countless reasons. Some simply drift apart while others were never really compatible from the beginning. In some cases, however, destructive behavior on the part of one spouse leads to the eventual breakdown of the marriage. While the law in Illinois officially recognizes divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, there are some ways in which marital misconduct could affect the process and yourContinue reading

Illinois Child Custody Revamped

On January 1 of this year, major changes to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act went into effect. These amendments were intended to reflect the societal changes regarding how child custody should be handled. In fact, the updated law does away with the term “child custody,” replacing it with the terms “parenting time” and “parenting responsibilities” instead. Change Needed When many people hear the phraseContinue reading

Non-Marital Property Can Affect the Division of Marital Assets

When you get divorced in Illinois, the law requires your marital property to be divided equitably between you and your spouse. The process raises two primary questions: what is marital property and what is equitable? A qualified divorce attorney can help you understand how the answers to those questions can impact your divorce settlement. Marital Property Defined The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) providesContinue reading