Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog
You Can’t Tell Me That’s Not My Son
The following short fiction explores a common situation many non-biological parents face every day.
I was in the break room during lunch, taking a moment to silently grapple with an issue that would affect my family and me for the rest of our lives. I’ve known all my life that I don’t conceal my thoughts and feelings very well, particularly when I’m carrying the weight of a crucial and deeply emotional issue on my shoulders. I was practically weeping into my cup of soup and I had no idea.
The Complexities of Divorce and Mental Illness
Divorce, even under the best of circumstances, can be a traumatic experience. You will face emotional stress and fears regarding your future security. If you have children, you will rightfully worry about the impact a divorce will have on them. But if your spouse is suffering from mental illness of any kind, then the complications can be even more damaging—and might even prove dangerous.
Illinois Prenup Basics: How Can They Be Invalidated?
If you are getting married, one of the last things you want to do is bring up a prenuptial agreement (prenup for short) because it’s usually something connected with divorce. And clearly, that is not a possibility you’ll want mentioned before the marriage has even started.
A prenup is a document drafted prior to getting married that determines certain financial arrangements between the spouses. Although people commonly associate prenuptial agreements with those who are wealthy, anyone can execute a prenup before marriage. It is important to understand not only what constitutes a prenup, but what factors can declare a prenup invalid.
The Holidays and Child Allocation: Who Gets Parenting Time?
The holidays are for families to enjoy together, but if you and you partner have divorced and you do not have sole allocation, then parenting time may have been allotted by the court.
If you live in Illinois and have joint allocation of parenting time, you will both have information about your parenting time schedule in your Allocation Judgment of Parental Responsibilities. This document will include the following details:
How Allocation of Parenting Time Can Affect Your Child’s School Arrangements
In 2016, the state of Illinois changed the term “custody” into “allocation of parenting responsibilities” in order to separate parenting responsibility issues such as education, religion, living arrangements etc. from parenting time. When a divorce occurs, it can be especially traumatizing for the children involved. Parents should always consider how their actions and the decisions they make both during and after the divorce will affect their children. Parents can sometimes come to an agreement over these custody issues on their own if the divorce was amicable, but other times when a decision cannot be reached or disputes arise, the courts need to step in and evaluate the possible solutions. Courts always try and do what is in the best interest of the child when it comes to determining custody related issues, so they will first examine the specific facts of each individual case before rendering their decision.
Here’s Why You Need a Forensic Accountant to Deal with Your Divorce Investments
Divorce: It’s that dreaded word that no one wants to hear, yet half of marriages today will experience it. Not only does divorce bring with it the emotional heartache and stress, but it comes with the overwhelming job of dividing up all assets between you and your spouse. This division of property can become especially complicated when you and your spouse shared investments. These can include your home, vacation properties, real estate, businesses or corporations, stocks, bonds, retirement plans, and any other financial investments you and your spouse made during the course of the marriage.
Grandparent Adoption In Illinois
As a grandparent, you play a big role in your grandchild’s life. You love them, support them, and even protect them. You are there when their parents cannot be, and in the event of a tragedy, you are there to also serve as a parent. You certainly aren’t alone. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services reports that approximately 100,000 other grandparents in the state are raising their grandchildren.
Illinois Post-Nuptial Agreements
A post-nuptial agreement is similar to a prenuptial agreement. The basic difference between the two is that a post-nuptial agreement is created after the couple enters a civil union or marriage, rather than before. The most common purpose of a post-nuptial is to assign the division of assets should the couple decide to get a divorce or separate. The agreement can also be implemented in the event of a spouse’s death.
New Illinois Law Makes Major Changes to Divorce Process
In the new year, Illinois has made major changes to its divorce and family laws. For the first time in years, Illinois has updated its Dissolution of Marriage Act, changing the way the state handles divorces.
Chicago Divorce Inquiries Spike After the New Year, Say Studies
The first Monday after the new year always means a significant increase in inquiries by people who are considering a divorce. The trend is so well-known that in Great Britain it even has a name: “Divorce Day.”
Here in the United States, studies have found that calls to divorce attorneys rise 20 to 30 percent in the first weeks of the new year. Some attorneys compare it to a “New Year’s resolution.” They note that for many people, the conclusion of the holidays–plus the potential represented by the new year–are enough of a push for them to seek the advice they need to make a change.
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