Tag Archives: Orland Park Family Law Attorney

Five More Child Custody Mistakes to Avoid

Previously, a post on this blog discussed some of the most common pitfalls for parents in the midst of a contentious child custody battle. Now known as the allocation of parental responsibilities in Illinois, such cases are typically very stressful for all involved. There are, however, a few more missteps you should take care to avoid as you strive to be the best possible parent to your child. #6.Continue reading

Five Mistakes to Avoid in Parental Responsibility Cases

Proceedings related to child custody—now called the allocation of parental responsibilities in Illinois—are challenging, nuanced, and, in most cases, emotionally draining for everyone involved. Too often, the idea of “winning” becomes much more important to many divorcing or unmarried parents. As a result, the child’s best interests take a back seat to the desires of the adults. While most such cases begin with the adults wantingContinue reading

How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer

While the law in Illinois provides only one legal reason for getting a divorce, we all know that there are countless factors that may contribute to a couple calling it quits. Similarly, there are many ways that a divorce proceeding can be handled. You and your spouse could attempt to cover all of the issues yourself and present your agreement to the court. Alternatively, youContinue reading

Modification of a Family Court Order

When a family court has issued a ruling or the approval of an agreement in an allocation of parental responsibilities case, it may seem like the case is closed. In many situations, however, things are just getting started. Illinois law allows for either parent to ask the court to modify the order in the future if and when an update becomes necessary. Before a modification will beContinue reading

Helping Your Child With College Costs

With spring right around the corner and summer to follow soon after, school-aged children are beginning to look forward to a long break. For many high school seniors, it is also a time to start making preparations for college or other types of post-high school education. Of course, this also means figuring out a way to pay for it. If you are the parent ofContinue reading

Going Back to Work After Divorce

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 40 percent of mothers with children under the age of 6 years old do not work outside the home. Considering the high number of divorces that occur each year in the United States, there are a large number of those stay-at-home mothers who will be forced to enter the workforce sooner than they may have planned whenContinue reading

Understanding Parental Responsibilities, Part 1; Significant Decision-Making

Last year, the laws regarding divorce and child custody in the state of Illinois were almost completely overhauled. The update represented the most comprehensive family law reform in nearly four decades. The intent was to bring the state’s family law statutes in line with the needs of today’s families. Among the most significant changes was to considerations for child custody. In fact, the new law all butContinue reading

Changing Your Child’s Last Name Following a Divorce

When you adopt a child, it is understandable that you would want the child to take on your family’s name, so a petition for changing the child’s last name would be likely be granted. The situation is much different, however, when a parent wishes to change his or her child’s last name following a divorce. A person’s name—including his or her surname—is a big partContinue reading

Calculating Your Income for Child Support Purposes

When you are the parent who is responsible for making child support payments, the existing Illinois system for calculating your obligation is based on your net income. According to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), you will be expected to pay a certain percentage of your income depending on how many children are being supported, beginning with 20 percent for one child upContinue reading

Child Support Enforcement: The Deadbeats Don’t Drive Law

Parents who do not pay their Illinois child support face having their driver’s license suspended under the Deadbeats Don’t Drive law. Action may be taken against the parent when they are a minimum of 90 days behind in their child support payments. There are two Illinois systems which can order a parent’s license suspended for failing to pay. The first system is the family courts and theContinue reading