Family Law Changes for 2016: Child Custody and Visitation
In the last post on this blog, we talked about a number of upcoming changes to the laws regarding divorce in Illinois. These changes are being implemented January 1, 2016, and are the result of a family law reform measure that was signed by the governor this past summer. The amendments to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act also address child-related concerns, making substantialContinue reading
Family Law Changes for 2016: Divorce
Throughout the last few months, various posts on this blog have been discussing some of the expected effects of the family law reform passed in Illinois in the summer. For the first time in nearly four decades, a large portion of the existing statutes regarding divorce, child custody, and parentage is being completely overhauled. With the effective date of the new provisions fast approaching—they are setContinue reading
Commit to Cooperation This Holiday Season
For many families affected by divorce or separation, the winter holiday can present a number of logistical and personal challenges. Making arrangements for parenting time, holiday meals, and out-of-town trips to visit extended family can be very difficult, especially if you and your ex are unable to communicate effectively. No matter how divisive the relationship with your child’s other parent may be, one of the best giftsContinue reading
Paying Down Marital Debt Prior to Divorce
When divorce seems to be imminent in your relationship, you are well-advised to being preparing for the process. Preparation can obviously take many forms, but among the most important decisions to be made will almost always be financial considerations. At some point along the way, you and your spouse will need to determine how your property and assets will be divided, or, if you cannotContinue reading
When is Litigation Your Best Option in a Divorce?
Even though divorce cases are among the most emotional and divisive of all civil cases, the vast majority of them settle before ever going to trial. There are many benefits to settling a case before trial. Often, this can save on court costs and avoids the uncertainty of letting a judge decide the case. However, settlement is not always to best option. Sometimes, your rights are betterContinue reading
Should I Ask For Spousal Maintenance?
When you are going through a divorce, there will almost certainly be a large number of decisions to make. If your divorce is more amicable, you and your spouse may be able to reach an agreement on many issues. If not, however, the court will be required to decide on concerns such as property division, parental responsibilities, and parenting time. Spousal maintenance, on the other hand,Continue reading
A No-Contest Clause May Prevent Will Disputes
When a loved one dies, it can very difficult on the surviving friends and family members. The intense emotions of dealing with the loss can often make a grieving family member act in ways that would be otherwise uncharacteristic, leading to serious disputes over a variety of matters. A common point of contention is the deceased person’s will, and serious battles can affect the stability ofContinue reading
Factors Affecting the Property Division Process
Long before most couples file a petition for divorce, they begin at least informally talk about how to divide their marital property. For some, especially in more amicable situations, this can lead to more formal negotiations and the development of a mutually agreed-upon property settlement. For others, however, the first discussions are essentially the last, as neither party is willing to compromise or attempt toContinue reading
Utah Case Highlights Struggle for Same-Sex Adoptive Parents
When the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples this summer, the decision provided a measure of hope for would-be adoptive parents. For many years, same-sex couples looking to adopt a child faced significant obstacles from state and private adoption agencies, as well as legal barriers in some cases. Despite advancements, however, it seems that the struggle isContinue reading
Robin Williams’ Widow: Comedian’s Death Was Related to a Form of Dementia
The entertainment world was sent reeling last August when it learned of the suicide death of actor and comedian Robin Williams. At the time, the award-winning entertainer’s family requested privacy as they looked to make sense of the terrible tragedy. Now, his widow Susan, to whom he had been married since 2011 has indicated in an interview with People magazine that Williams’ autopsy revealed that he wasContinue reading