Category Archives: Orland Park Family Law Attorney

Talk to Your Divorce Lawyer About Billing Practices

Divorce can be an expensive proposition. Depending on how your case is ultimately decided, you could end up paying thousands of dollars in maintenance and child support, not to mention the value of the marital property that is allocated to your ex-spouse. The process itself can also be quite costly. Court fees and other expenses can add up quickly, especially if the proceedings drag onContinue reading

Pro Se Divorce: Is It Ever a Good Idea?

Over the past decade or so, one of the more common scenarios that have emerged in family courts across the country is where one or both spouses who are going through the divorce process make the decision to represent themselves instead of hiring an attorney. This is referred to as a pro se divorce. Those who decide to “go it alone” instead if with the guidance ofContinue reading

The Importance of Establishing Paternity

Establishing paternity means much more than just child support for a single parent. Whether or not the child has a legally-recognized father can make a huge difference in the child’s life—for his or whole life, not only childhood. Paternity does not necessarily imply that the father is present in the child’s life on a daily basis. It only means that the father is legally and fiscally responsibleContinue reading

Arranging Parental Responsibilities in Illinois

Entering the post-divorce world as a single parent can be overwhelming, especially in wake of the emotional toll brought on by the separation. One of the most important tasks you will face as a newly single parent is handling the allocation of parental responsibilities. This is a phrase that the law in Illinois began using as of January 1, 2016 to refer to arrangements that areContinue reading

My Spouse Cheated; Now What?

There are few stronger feelings that one can experience than that of betrayal caused by an unfaithful spouse. Infidelity has always been a problem for married couples, and there seems to be no indication that things will ever really change. In fact, as technology continues to advance, new avenues and opportunities to cheat may only be making the situation worse for many couples. When youContinue reading

New Law Permits Nursing Home Monitoring Devices

According to AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo, public health officials in Illinois receive about 19,000 complaints each year from residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Throughout the past year, the state legislature and Governor Bruce Rauner officially took a stand against nursing home negligence and abuse by passing a measure designed to protect some of Illinois’ most at-risk residents. Beginning in 2016, IllinoisContinue 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

Spousal Maintenance: The Case of the Stay-at-Home Parent

Whether by necessity or by choice, two-income families are certainly becoming the norm in today’s American society. In some situations, both spouses work hard to balance full-time careers with family responsibilities. In others, one spouse may work full-time while the other picks up part-time jobs to make ends meet, while still tending to the needs of the family and, possibly, children. There is, however, stillContinue reading

Changing Your Child Support Order

Divorced and separated parents, for the most part, understand that they have an obligation to provide financial support for their children. Of course, for many, it is a moral responsibility that exists regardless of the law. Regardless of a parent’s moral compass, Illinois law recognizes the right of a child to expect support from both parents, and, in the vast majority of cases, will require aContinue reading

Can We Negotiate Our Own Maintenance Agreement?

As you navigate the process of divorce, you and your soon-to-be ex will have a large number of issues to consider. You will need to think about which of you will get what property, arrangements for your children, and how you will deal with life after divorce. For many couples, the issue of spousal maintenance, or alimony, can be particularly complex, as it is often difficultContinue reading