Category Archives: Divorce

Study: Child Before Marriage No Longer Increases Divorce Risk

For many generations, a couple who married after having a child together was much more likely to get divorced than those who married before having a baby. That time, it seems, has come and gone, at least according to a new study. Today, the rate of divorce is about the same for couples who have a child before marriage and those who have children after the wedding.Continue reading

U.S. Continues to Work Through Issues Regarding Same-Sex Marriage

In the state of Illinois, same-sex marriage was officially legalized last year. Legislative efforts and the resulting Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act have allowed same-sex partners to marry since June 2014 in Illinois, but the rest of the nation has not been so quick to follow suit. Even following the landmark U.S Supreme Court decision this past summer which struck down same-sex marriage bans, some partsContinue reading

New Law Ends At-Fault Divorce and Reduces Separation Periods

A few weeks ago, a post on this blog discussed a newly signed law that promises to bring sweeping changes to the application of family law provisions in the state of Illinois. In addition to the major updates regarding parental relocation and child removal, as covered in that post, the new law—originally introduced as Senate Bill 57—also revamps the existing statutes related to divorce. Set to take effectContinue reading

Defending a Dissipation Claim in Divorce

There are plenty of challenging aspects to any divorce situation. In addition to the unquestionably difficult emotional turbulence, most couples must also deal with a number of practical considerations as well, including arrangements regarding children, spousal support, and the division of assets and property. While each process, of course, includes its own unique intricacies, the dividing of assets and property can, in many cases, set the toneContinue reading

Studies Suggest Increased Risk of Suicide in Divorce Situations

It is well known by most people, whether through personal experience or a loved one, that divorce can often be the most trying time in your life. Effecting you socially, economically, and, more important, emotionally, these issues can weigh heavily on you, leading to severe and extremely dangerous psychological distress with consequences that can be deadly. The stress and emotional turbulence that divorce brings can prove toContinue reading

Consider Eliminating Debt Prior to Divorce

If you are considering a divorce, you probably realize that your life is about to get fairly complicated, at least for a little while. You and your spouse will need to work out a large number of considerations, which, depending on your ability to work together—or lack thereof—may lead to stressful negotiations. For many couples, dividing the marital estate can be among the most challenging of allContinue reading

Why Some Marriages Cannot Withstand Retirement

In recent years, a new trend known as “gray divorce” has swept through the United States. Gray divorce refers to the phenomenon of couples over the age of 50 opting to get divorced. In 2010, approximately 25 percent of people working through divorces were age 50 or older. In 1990, that demographic represented only 10 percent. Why are so many older couples divorcing? In part, itContinue reading

Addressing Insurance Policies During Your Divorce

When you are working through a divorce, there are many issues you need to consider. Your child custody arrangements, how child support will be handled, whether either you or your spouse will need spousal support following the divorce, and a fair division of your property are all among the issues that need to be worked out before a divorce settlement is issued. Another issue that couples must considerContinue reading

Why Collaborative Divorce May Be Beneficial

When you have reached in a point in your marriage where you know the relationship is beyond repair, it is time to start thinking about divorce options. Depending on you and your spouse’s ability to work together, you may have more choices than you realize when it comes to achieving a workable divorce agreement. Divorcing spouses who refuse to cooperate or agree on major issues areContinue reading

Maintaining Your Lifestyle During and After Divorce

When you got married, you and your spouse were probably committed to the idea of building a long happy life together. You were looking forward to sharing a home, taking vacations, and, generally, establishing a certain standard of living throughout the course of the marriage. After your wedding, you and your partner likely settled into a particular lifestyle, intentional or not, and became accustomed toContinue reading