Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog
COVID-19 Update: Nottage and Ward, LLP Continue to Work
We hope that everyone reading this blog post is in good health and is staying as safe as is currently possible. This pandemic has left all of us in a difficult position. We at Nottage and Ward, LLP will be working from home in an attempt to do our part to flatten the curve. However, that does not mean we have stopped focusing on our cases or our clients.
When Does Legal Separation Become Divorce?
Spouses who are experiencing a rough patch may choose separate temporarily or even permanently if they feel that rough patch can’t be overcome. This may involve a trial separation, in which one spouse moves out but the legal rules of marriage continue to apply. Couples who are not ready for divorce may opt for a legal separation, which changes your legal status without dissolving the marriage.
How to Dissolve a Domestic Partnership or Civil Union in Illinois
Domestic partnerships and civil unions can be wonderful for couples who wish to enjoy the same benefits as marriage, but who don’t feel the need for a big, blowout wedding or a marriage certificate. Unfortunately, not all relationships last the test of time and it can be difficult to know just how to end a domestic partnership or civil union. Thankfully, Cook County, Illinois has a clear process for each.
Divorcing After Retirement Is Costly
Few things can affect your finances more than divorce, especially when the divorce requires court appearances. Divorcing after retirement, however, can increase the financial burden exponentially. The primary reason for this is that once retired, the partners are living on their existing resources without the means to produce further income. In other words, both parties must have the ability to sustain their quality of life with existing assets and resources.
Better to Get Your Support Order Late Than Never!
Recently, ABC 10 News reported on the case of a San Diego woman, Toni Anderson, who won back child support from her ex-husband nearly 50 years after their divorce. She filed a claim for what she was owed, plus interest, when she realized there is no statute of limitations on child support. Ms. Anderson wants to spread the word to other single parents that they can still collect child support, no matter how many years have gone by.
Understanding “Invisible Divorce”
It is a well-known fact that about 50% of marriages in the U.S. ultimately end in divorce. While that statistic may imply that the other half of marriages where couples stay together are happy and healthy relationships, this is not always the case.
What Is Forensic Accounting?
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.
How Do You Protect Your Credit Score During a Divorce?
Divorce can have adverse consequences, not least of which could be damage to your credit score. Although your marital status is not included in your credit report or factored into your rating, it can indirectly lead to financial situations that can hurt your credit. However, there are steps you can take to help protect your credit if you are going through a divorce.
Orders of Protection in Illinois
The Illinois State Police have some troubling statistics on their website: every 15 seconds, a woman in the U.S. is beaten, often by a romantic partner. To combat this, the State of Illinois passed the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, and our recent Supreme Court rulings have put more “teeth” into the legislation.
Spousal Maintenance in Illinois
Spousal maintenance (called alimony or spousal support in other states) is the payment of money from one spouse to another after a divorce. Its purpose is to help prevent financial and social hardship and disruption for the spouse who was financially dependent on the other spouse. There have been recent, significant changes to Illinois spousal maintenance laws.
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