Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog

Can Secret Recordings or Photos of Your Spouse Be Evidence?

By Nottage and Ward on January 15, 2023

If you plan on getting divorced, you might wonder what evidence you can use in your case. In Illinois, questions on whether secret recordings or photos can be used as evidence are common. It can be tempting to record your spouse secretly if their behavior behind doors is much different from what they portray in public. Read on to find out whether you can use secret recordings of your partner as evidence and what is accepted as evidence in Illinois.

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Posted in: Divorce

When One of a Child’s Separated Parents Dies

By Nottage and Ward on December 15, 2022

Divorce can significantly impact children’s emotional health. Thankfully, when divorced parents share custody of their kids with each other, the children will have two loving parents, making their existence more straightforward. However, if one of the separated parents dies, you might not know what happens with custody of the child. While no parent wants to think about this, it is best to know should the unfortunate situation ever arise. Here is what the Chicago law says about child custody after the death of one of the parents and how an attorney can help you.

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Posted in: Child Allocation

Divorce and Child Custody When It Comes to Religion

By Nottage and Ward on November 20, 2022

When parents of minor children divorce, most matters concerning the children are spelled out in the divorce decree and parenting agreement. Child support, physical and legal allocation (custody), and visitation are all addressed in documents issued by the court. However, one issue the courts typically do not decide is the child’s religion.

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Posted in: Child Allocation

Divorcing Complications for Doctors

By Nottage and Ward on November 10, 2022

Divorce can be a complicated, stressful process, regardless of your profession. Divorcing doctors typically have unique issues to deal with that can make the process even more complex than it might be for the average couple. The following may be key areas of concern for doctors going through a divorce.

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Posted in: Divorce

Divorcing a Violent or Dangerous Person

By Nottage and Ward on October 20, 2022

Divorce is difficult under any circumstances. When the person you are divorcing is violent or dangerous, it can be even more traumatic, particularly when children are involved. If your spouse has threatened to retaliate, you may be afraid to leave or file for divorce. Special preparations may be needed to exit the relationship safely.

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Posted in: Divorce

Settling Holiday Custody Disagreements

By Nottage and Ward on September 23, 2022

Most divorced or separated couples that share children with someone else would like to spend the holidays with their offspring but not with one another. This can be difficult for many divorcing families as they try to navigate the new landscape of their lives. For some kids, it may mean spending Christmas with one parent and New Year’s with the other. Others may alternate every year. No matter the situation, trying to make the holidays special for your children is essential, even if it means spending time with your children during the holidays at times other than on the actual holiday. Whatever you do, try to put your children’s needs first during this time.

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Posted in: Parenting Time

Divorcing a Narcissist

By Nottage and Ward on August 23, 2022

Narcissism is generally defined as a personality trait where a person has an inflated sense of their own importance, an intense desire for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. People who have narcissistic personality disorder tend to be very arrogant, haughty, and conceited with an over-inflated view of their own intelligence, attractiveness, or skills.

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Posted in: Divorce

Tips for Divorcing Parents of Schoolchildren

By Nottage and Ward on July 24, 2022

A divorce is complicated enough on its own, but even more is at stake when children are involved, especially if they are young schoolchildren. How the parents proceed can severely impact the child’s development and define the relationship the child has with their parents.

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Posted in: Divorce

What Are Marital Assets?

By Nottage and Ward on May 23, 2022

Experiencing a divorce can be a stressful, time-consuming affair and can cause much uncertainty as to which assets each party will keep. When going through divorce proceedings, Illinois courts will determine which assets are “marital assets” and divide them between the two parties as they see fit.

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Posted in: Divorce

Options for Divorcing Couples that Are Business Co-Owners

By Nottage and Ward on April 6, 2022

Illinois is not a community property state. When a couple divorces, marital assets are divided equitably – not necessarily equally. Determining what qualifies as marital assets and how it should be divided can be a complicated process. Divorce can be even more complex when both spouses are co-owners of a business. 

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Posted in: Divorce

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