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Property Division - Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog

Valuing and Dividing Collectibles and Art in Divorce

By Nottage and Ward on January 20, 2024

Art and collectibles hold immense value, not just for their aesthetic appeal but for their ability to evoke emotions and tell unique stories. Incorporating art or collectibles into a home adds character and a personalized touch, transforming living spaces into reflections of individual tastes, experiences, and cultural influences. These unique items can elevate the ambiance of a home, making it more inviting and resonant with the identity of its inhabitants. During property division in a divorce, artworks and collectibles frequently become focal points, sparking disputes during the division of assets. The intricate nature of these assets poses unique challenges in valuation and equitable distribution.

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Posted in: Property Division

What Is Forensic Accounting?

By Nottage and Ward on October 14, 2019

Forensic accounting may be defined as the use of accounting skills to investigate fraud or embezzlement, or to analyze financial information for use in legal proceedings. In divorce proceedings, forensic accounting can help uncover essential data and provide critical documentation to support your case.

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Posted in: Property Division

How Assets Are Split in a Divorce

By Nottage and Ward on April 9, 2019

Equitable distribution. Dual classification. What do these words have to do with your home, your valuables, your taxes, and your retirement? Plenty, if you’re getting a divorce. In our latest infographic, Nottage and Ward, LLP, explains how Illinois divides assets after the breakdown of a marriage.

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Posted in: Property Division

The Business of Divorce

By Nottage and Ward on September 10, 2018

This fictional scenario is one that Chicago couples face every day.

Tom used to take his wife Abby’s pork tamales to his office every Thursday. It didn’t take long before they were a big hit—not just in his office, but in the whole building. “We were going through so many that I had to charge for them and keep receipts. Abby and I thought, why not make a real business out of this? We could do the food truck thing. That’s what people do, right?”

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Posted in: Property Division

What Information Is Disclosed in a Financial Affidavit?

By Nottage and Ward on January 7, 2018

One of the key stages of an Illinois state divorce is the process known as disclosure. In Cook County (Chicago), a financial affidavit must be filed at the beginning of a divorce case by both spouses. The affidavit acts as the initial disclosure of your basic financial information, which will then become the basis of the division of property during your divorce proceedings. It can even be used by the judge when making a determination with regard to temporary support and the payment of attorney’s fees before the case has finished.

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Posted in: Property Division

The Financial Impact of a Divorce

By Leslie Fineberg on April 13, 2015

One of the key points of discussion during a divorce is money and property division. These issues can become heated quickly. While some couples argue over who retains stock, property and business ownership, others must decide who will carry the burden of their acquired debt. In both cases, the financial impact of the divorce will be substantial and long lasting.

Here are just a handful of financial consequences that may arise from a divorce:

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Posted in: Property Division

Pet Custody – A Growing Problem in Divorce Cases

By Leslie Fineberg on July 23, 2014

Anybody who owns pets knows that they are more than mere pieces of property; they are members of the family. That is why pet custody is becoming a growing — and frustrating — issue in divorce cases in Illinois and across the nation.

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune pointed out how contentious the battle for a pet can become.

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Posted in: Property Division

Divorce, Asset Division, and the Importance of Location

By Nottage and Ward on September 26, 2013

Location does not just describe one’s physical environment; it incorporates social, financial, and legal “geographies,” such as culture, job availability and proximity, and laws. In other words, location affects everyone deeply and largely determines their lives. Even family law can vary widely depending on location.

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Posted in: Property Division

Is Sale of the Family Home Necessary During Divorce?

By Leslie Fineberg on March 14, 2013

When considering a divorce many questions come to mind. While we initially concern ourselves with the well being of our children and our own emotional health, financial matters must also be considered. In the state of Illinois, property or money acquired during the marriage is presumed to belong to the marriage and to be subject to equitable (fair) division upon divorce. Examples of property to be equitably divided during a divorce include the following:

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Housing Market Crash Causes Problems for Divorcing Couples

By Nottage and Ward on February 6, 2012

The real estate market crash made and still makes life difficult for homeowners across the country. House values have plummeted and people are left with loans that are worth more than their homes, making it nearly if not completely impossible to keep up with expensive loan payments or even to sell. According to a Yahoo! Finance article, approximately 3.5 million homeowners are behind on their mortgage payments while another 1.5 million have already begun the foreclosure process. In the next two years, it is estimated that there will be 3.6 million foreclosures.

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