blog home archives January, 2013 - Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog

January, 2013 - Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog Archive

Steelers Running Back Chris Rainey Cut from Team for Alleged Assault on His Girlfriend

By Nottage and Ward on January 25, 2013

Whether a couple is married, involved in a civil union, or in any other intimate relationship, physical or mental abuse, also referred to domestic violence, is unacceptable and does not have to be lived with. As reported by The Associated Press and The New York Daily News, rookie running back 24-year-old Chris Rainey has been cut from the Pittsburgh Steelers because of physical harm he caused to his girlfriend.

Rainey was arrested in Gainesville, Florida and charged with a single count of battery after fighting with his girlfriend. The actual altercation was over a cell phone, but afterwards Rainey attempted to pull her out of a vehicle. He allegedly slapped her as she attempted to run away from him. Pittsburgh’s general manager, Kevin Colbert, was reported as saying that due to Rainey’s conduct, he would be cut from the team.

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Children and Divorce: Nine Things to Do and Not to Do

By Nottage and Ward on January 23, 2013

In 2011, over six million U.S children were coping with living with divorced parents. Many children may need help getting through their parents’ divorce. As reported on webmd.com, family therapist, Isolina Ricci, PhD, author of Mom’s House. Dad’s House, suggests using the following nine tips to lessen the negative effect of divorce on children:

  • Do not denigrate your spouse in the eyes of your child.
  • Do not use your children as substitute therapists. Don’t confide in them about adult matters such as money worries, for example.
  • Do not stray away from family routines. Try to keep change to a minimum.
  • Ask only general questions about time spent in your ex-spouse’s home. Don’t be meddlesome.
  • Don’t give in to feelings of guilt you may have over the divorce. Remain the parent you always were. Don’t shower your child with gifts or privileges in order to “make up” for the divorce.
  • Do go look for help from a family therapist or mediator if you and your ex-spouse cannot get along without being hostile to one another.
  • Read more…

Sam Donaldson and Wife Jan Smith Donaldson Separate

By Nottage and Ward on January 21, 2013

Veteran ABC News correspondent, Sam Donaldson, was arrested for driving under the influence in Lewes, Delaware in December, 2012. Donaldson was chief White House correspondent for ABC News. In that capacity he covered Presidents Carter, Reagan, and Clinton. He was the co-host of “Prime Time Live” and an ABC News Sunday morning telecast along with Cokie Roberts.

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Types of Adoption Available to Illinois Families

By Nottage and Ward on January 17, 2013

Adoption can be a loving and rewarding opportunity for couples who are unable to have or choose not to have their own biological children. That same opportunity is available for step-parents, other relatives, and same-sex couples.

Family law attorneys who help clients with adoption laws and steps to adoption understand that adoption can be a complex process requiring a great deal of serious forethought.

Courtesy of the Adoption Center of Illinois, the following types of adoption are available to Illinois residents:

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Posted in: Adoption

Cook County Sheriff’s Central Warrants Unit Offers Data Search Page to Public

By Nottage and Ward on January 15, 2013

Both parents should want the best for their children after a divorce. Unfortunately the truth is that hundreds of Cook County parents fail to pay court-ordered child support. The Cook County Sherriff’s office has created a website where the public can gain access to publicly available information regarding those individuals for whom child support warrants have been issued. At www3.cookcountysheriff.org, the persons listed on the database have, or have had in the past, warrants for their arrests in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Purpose of Public Access

The purpose of allowing citizens access to this database, including subjects who have outstanding child support warrants, is to make Cook County residents aware of persons considered wanted within the community. The website serves as a way for citizens to provide information that might lead to knowledge of the offenders’ whereabouts.

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Subject of “Crazy Love” Documentary Dies

By Nottage and Ward on January 9, 2013

Linda Pugach, who was blinded when her lover allegedly arranged for lye to be thrown in her face, died on Tuesday, January 22nd, her husband told the Associated Press on Thursday, January 24th. The cause of death was heart failure. Linda’s story did not end with the vicious attack, however. She later made headlines for eventually marrying the man, Burton Pugach, who spent 14 years behind bars for hiring the men who attacked her when she was his girlfriend.

Burton Pugach was married at the time the crime was imprisoned. The attack became the sensational tabloid story of its day. Pugach was released from prison and convinced Linda to marry him in 1974 on live television. He referred to their story as a “fairy tale romance.” Filmmaker Dan Klores told the story in a 2007 documentary titled “Crazy Love.” Pugach had high praise for the documentary.

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Does Unemployment Increase the Risk of Divorce?

By Nottage and Ward on January 7, 2013

Unemployment and DivorceIt is common that financial issues have an effect on marriage and, consequently, there is a connection between divorce and the economy. While the recession has been improving, unemployment is still an issue, and according to a study by Ohio State University examining the correlation between employment status and marital satisfaction, unemployment is a factor in marriage and divorce.

According to an article in The Huffington Post, the study revealed that when men were unemployed, it increased the risk that either the man or his wife would end the marriage. The study, along with the information gathered at Divorced Guys, determined that there are three main reasons why lay-offs tend to lead to divorce:

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Will Illinois Legalize Gay Marriage in January?

By Nottage and Ward on January 2, 2013

The passing of the Illinois civil union law was a major step towards marriage equality for same-sex couples, and though the state has not reached the point of true equality just yet, it does seem to be significantly closer. According to USA Today, Illinois lawmakers may pass a bill legalizing gay marriage to the Governor’s desk as early as January, when the General Assembly reconvenes.

As dedicated civil union lawyers in Chicago at Nottage and Ward, we applaud the efforts of Representative Greg Harris and Senator Heather Steans, who have spearheaded the push towards the legalization of same-sex marriage in the legislature. While both decline to comment on the status of roll-call votes in each chamber, Steans claims that they are closer to “being able to get it done.” And if the trend in the nation is any indication, it seems even more likely that it will, in fact, get done. Not only did President Obama speak in favor of legalizing gay marriage, but four states have legalized gay marriage or voted down bans on it since the November election.

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