Results from the survey reveal that 56 percent of the country’s top divorce lawyers have seen an increase, in the past three years, in the number of mothers responsible for paying child support. Additionally, in the same three years, 47 percent of the country’s top divorce lawyers have seen an increase in the number of women responsible for paying maintenance to their spouse. According to the president of AAML, the court system ultimately reflects changes in society, as is demonstrated by these figures.

More and more women are achieving greater career success than their husbands. While earning a higher salary than your husband is not a problem during the marriage, should the marriage fail, as the higher-earning spouse, you would be bound to certain financial obligations, both during the divorce and after.

Child support and maintenance can be highly contentious issues during a divorce. If you are planning on getting a divorce in Illinois and are unsure of how your financial situation will impact your divorce agreement, contact the experienced Chicago family law attorneys at Nottage and Ward today for a consultation at (312) 332-2915.

Though the timing of President Obama’s announcement may have been rushed, making his decision to support the legalization of gay marriage was not. According to his advisors, the President had intended to define his position on the issue before September, when Democrats would nominate him for re-election. His position on gay marriage is not necessarily a surprise as he has demonstrated support for the gay community before, such as ending the ban on openly gay men and women in the military and disavowing the federal law which defines marriage as only between a man and woman, but the announcement is, nonetheless, politically, socially, and historically significant.

It is true that President Obama’s declaration in support of gay marriage does not mean there is legislation on the table as of yet, but it may find its way into Congress in the near future. During such big changes, it is understandable that it will take a while for the kinks to be ironed out. Even in Illinois, the civil union law that has been in effect for almost a full year has had to overcome unforeseen hurdles. But with perseverance, the nation will finally reach equality.

Until then, if you have questions about or are considering entering into an Illinois civil union, the dedicated civil union lawyers in Chicago at Nottage and Ward can help. Call us today for a consultation at (312) 332-2915.

The first option is do-it-yourself divorce. The bottom-line for DIY divorce is don’t do-it-yourself. Divorce is a complicated process and trying to get through that whole process by yourself can lead to irreversible mistakes. The only circumstances which would make DIY divorce beneficial are if it was a very short marriage, there are no children, little to no marital debt or assets which must be divided, no alimony, and comparable incomes.

Another option is mediation. With this option, the divorcing couple comes to an agreement on all areas of their divorce with the help of a neutral mediator, who may or may not be an actual attorney. Consulting with an attorney during mediation is still advisable during mediation. If you do not have an agreeable relationship with your soon-to-be ex-spouse, however, negotiations through mediation will likely be unsuccessful and an ultimate waste of time and money. Moreover, imbalances of power that existed in your relationship during the marriage will likely persist during the mediation and put one spouse at a distinct disadvantage to the other.

The next option is collaborative divorce. In collaborative divorce, you and your spouse work on a divorce agreement outside of court. Each spouse retains the services of a collaborative law divorce attorney who will advise and assist them during settlement negotiations. The collaborative process may prove less expensive and quicker than litigation – if it works. If there is a lot of “bad blood” between you and your spouse or an imbalance of power in the relationship, negotiations are destined to fail, in which case you may have to start all over, with new attorneys, at substantial additional cost.

The final option is litigation, where you and your spouse retain your own attorneys and utilize the court system to resolve your differences. This does not mean a litigated divorce necessarily goes to court. This is the most common form of divorce and is usually the only option when one spouse wants a divorce but the other doesn’t, when the parties are unable to communicate and cooperate, or where the relationship between the parties is otherwise ill-suited for alternative dispute resolution.

At Nottage and Ward, we are committed to ensuring that your divorce goes as efficiently as possible. Mediation or a collaborative divorce may be options for you. If you would like to determine whether collaborative divorce or mediation is right for you, contact our Chicago collaborative law attorneys today for a consultation at (312) 332-2915.

There is a negative stigma surrounding pre-nuptial agreements, according to The Huffington Post. However, though formerly seen as a detriment to marriage and even an inducement to divorce, pre-nuptial agreements may actually strengthen a marriage. While pre-nuptial agreements recognize the possibility of divorce, it does not mean divorce is inevitable. Thinking of a pre-nup as legal protection for when you divorce is inaccurate and is not the point of a pre-nup. The point is to make sure your future is secure, no matter what happens. There’s nothing wrong with being prepared. There are a few factors to consider when determining whether you should get a pre-nup:

• Your ages. Older couples with accumulated assets can benefit more from a pre-nup than younger couples;
• Children from a prior relationship. A pre-nup can protect the financial future of children from a previous marriage;
• Substantial assets. The more assets you have, the more reason to protect them; and
• Inequality of assets. If there is a large disparity of assets between you and your soon-to-be spouse, you should get a pre-nup.

How you decide to approach your marriage is completely up to you, but it is important to understand the options available to you. If you are considering entering into pre-nuptial agreement in Illinois, the experienced Chicago pre-nuptial agreement attorneys at Nottage and Ward can help you make an informed decision about your future. To learn more, call us today at (312) 332-2915.

1. Recognize that establishing trust with a preteen or teenage step-grandchild may take longer, but that does not mean that you can’t achieve it;
2. Send a card on birthdays and special occasions to show you care. Emailing or calling to say hello occasionally is also good, but don’t overdo it, especially with older step-grandchildren;
3. Avoid overcompensating, as it can affect your relationship with biological grandchildren. Keep your treatment of each fair, but distinctive;
4. Remember that your step-grandchild may resent the remarriage, but is still looking for acceptance;
5. Resist complaining to your child about your step-grandchild, even if he or she has been making your efforts more difficult;
6. Be careful not come on too strong as a step-grandparent. Remember that you are a stranger to your step-grandchild;
7. Make the effort to become acquainted with each of your step-grandchildren individually;
8. Find a common ground. You may need to meet your step-grandchild halfway.

At Nottage and Ward, our dedicated Chicago family law attorneys have experience in a wide range of family law matters and can provide you with the support and legal guidance you need for your particular situation. To speak to one our lawyers, contact us today for a consultation at (312) 332-2915.

In the article, Jada Pinkett Smith spoke out against the rumors of marital discord and impending divorce, claiming them to be “ridiculous.” She has no idea why the rumors started or why they won’t go away. At least one celebrity couple is placed under the marital microscope every year, and this year it seems to be the Smiths. Jada Pinkett Smith says the rumors are completely untrue. She and her husband travel a lot for work and so, naturally, end up spending quite a bit of time apart, but their commitment to each other has not changed and they have always lived together. The rumor that they were now living apart was just that, a rumor. The Smiths are fine and working on new projects with their kids.

Rumors can be very stressful, especially when they are not true. Even if the rumors are based in fact, who can blame a high-profile couple from denying them to hold onto their privacy? Being in the limelight has advantages and disadvantages, but regardless, high-profile couples cannot be treated like any other couple when it comes to family law matters.

If you are a high-profile couple considering divorce, the experienced Chicago high profile divorce lawyers at Nottage and Ward can help you resolve your family law matters discreetly and expeditiously. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact us today at (312) 332-2915.

The Indiana residents had traveled to Lake County, where one of the women’s fathers lived, to enter into and hold a ceremony for their civil union, but because Indiana does not legally recognize civil unions, their application was denied. According to the Illinois civil union law, which took effect in June 2011, out-of-state lesbian, gay, or straight couples are allowed to obtain civil union licenses and hold ceremonies in Illinois only if the county clerk is satisfied that the applicants’ home state does not prohibit civil unions. Some county clerk’s offices require that applicants sign affidavits affirming that such a union is not prohibited in their home state, while others have other procedures.

Now, in Lake County, out-of-state couples will have to sign an affidavit confirming that their home state does not prohibit their civil union. Not legally recognizing civil unions does not necessarily mean that the state “prohibits” civil unions, however. The couple obtained their civil union license from Cook County after being denied by Lake County. With its new policy change, applying for a civil union license in Lake County should be more out-of-state applicant friendly in the future.

If you are considering entering into a civil union in Illinois, whether you are an Illinois resident or from another state, you probably have a lot of questions. At Nottage and Ward, our experienced Chicago civil union lawyers have a thorough understanding of the civil union law and have kept up-to-date with any significant changes that have been made to the law since it took effect in 2011. For trusted legal support and representation regarding your civil union matters, contact us today for a consultation at (312) 332-2915.

The study focused on the relationship between life decisions and lifespan. During the research process, population statistics were compared with birth records, marriage certificates, and other court documents. In the U.S., Census data collected by Ohio’s Bowling Green State University identified that the baby boomer divorce rate has jumped more than 50 percent over the last 20 years, even though the national divorce rate has stabilized. This statistic is very telling and points to a tendency for people to not tolerate being unhappy in marriage as they live longer.

For people who have shorter life expectancies, it is less likely that they would divorce knowing that they may not have the time to find a happier/better relationship. Although additional research needs to be conducted, this study suggests that the less time you have, the more satisfied you will be with your marriage, even if it is one you would choose to end should you have had the time.

The decision to divorce is a complicated process. There are many factors that contribute to a person’s decision to divorce, some consciously weighed and some not, but each and every person ultimately needs to make their decision based on the quality of their future life, however long it may be. If you are wondering whether divorce is the right decision for your relationship, the knowledgeable Illinois divorce lawyers at Nottage and Ward can help you make an informed decision. Call us today for a consultation at (312) 332-2915.

Being happy again after divorce is, unfortunately, not an instantaneous process, even if you wanted the divorce and looked forward to when you would be single and on your own again. Divorce is a big change, especially if you were married for many years, and being single takes some getting used to, but there are ways to make sure that you can encourage the process along more quickly:

Allow yourself time to heal while developing a new “normal.” It is completely natural to experience a not-so-happy transition period after divorce, but what you do during that time can either prolong or shorten it. Rediscover yourself, create new routines, and establish what you want to do with your life now (and start doing it).

Try new things. There is great emotional value in doing something new, whether it is making a new friend, eating at a different restaurant, learning a new language, going back to school, or developing a new exercise routine. Anything new that you experience that gives you a new direction or better focus in your new life will help you feel better.

Finally, stop perseverating on the past. Your old story is just that, old. It may have influenced the person you would like to become, but holding onto the past and retelling that tale will only hold you back from your new goals. Focus on the present and future.

Finding the strength to revitalize your life after divorce may be difficult but it is never impossible. Divorce is sometimes the best choice for unhappy marriages. If you’ve decided that divorce is the best option for your marriage, Rosaire Nottage and the dedicated Chicago divorce lawyers at Nottage and Ward can help you take the necessary steps to a better life. Call us today for a consultation at (312) 332-2915.

1. Yelling at your wife. Societal presumptions place the man in a position of power over the woman, although this is not necessarily the case. Because of this presumption, however, women can use fear of their husbands as ammunition in court, whether it is true or not. Therefore, it is important for any father to be as civil and mild mannered toward his wife as possible. Heated arguments may make you want to yell, but fight the impulse.
2. Moving in with a new significant other. Since divorce is already a difficult time for children, a court may look down on a father exposing his children to a significant other before the divorce is even final.
3. “Bad-mouthing” your wife to family and friends. Criticizing your wife to others may be merely a way for you to vent your feelings, but, as these criticisms will likely get back to your wife, the court may view such behavior as an attempt at parental alienation. Any disparaging comments about your wife may be considered a ploy to get your kids to turn on her.
4. Denying children telephone contact with their mother when they are with you. Always let your children call their mother when they ask and always be polite when their mother calls to check on them.
5. Taking the children on vacation, without telling their mother. Both parents have a right to know where their children are at all times. If you plan to take them on a trip out of your usual area, make sure their mother knows and approves. Leaving without letting her know may look like you are kidnapping the children.

The minute you decide to divorce, everything you have done and everything you will do during the divorce process can affect the court’s child custody decision. If you are planning on getting a divorce in Illinois and are concerned about the potential child custody arrangement, the knowledgeable Chicago child custody lawyers at Nottage and Ward can help. Call us today at (312) 332-2915 for a consultation.