Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog

First Things to Do When You’ve Chosen Divorce

By Nottage and Ward on April 24, 2023

Getting a divorce can be agonizing for everyone involved, especially the two spouses and their children. Whether you saw it coming for a while, or if your partner made a sudden decision that caught you totally off guard, divorce is an emotional process.

As soon as you know that you’re headed for a divorce, it’s important to find a good Chicago divorce attorney right away. The decisions you make now will affect you and your children for the rest of your life. You’ll want to have an attorney by your side who will help protect you, your children, and your financial security.

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Posted in: Divorce

Navigating a High-Conflict Divorce

By Nottage and Ward on March 25, 2023

Although divorce often has an inherently adversarial tone, high-conflict cases are far more contentious and challenging to navigate. This situation can make it very challenging for divorcing couples to achieve a fair settlement. At Nottage and Ward, LLP our Chicago family law attorneys are experienced in handling high-conflict divorces and could provide the skilled representation and assistance you need to resolve your case.

With an experienced legal team on your side, you could better negotiate and settle the most problematic issues in your divorce. Your attorney could act as an intermediary, keeping emotions in check and working to minimize conflicts.

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Posted in: Divorce

Why Attorneys Shouldn’t Represent Themselves in Divorce Cases

By Nottage and Ward on February 15, 2023

We have all heard the old adage, “A man who represents himself has a fool for a client.” This pertains to attorneys as well as the average man on the street, including lawyers representing themselves in divorce proceedings.

Divorce is common in the U.S., and lawyers are not immune. In fact, divorce rates may be even higher in the legal profession due to the stress, long hours, taking a toll on a relationship and a marriage. Many lawyers prioritize their careers, which can put a strain on a marriage and life at home. For attorneys going through divorce, representing oneself can present unique challenges, even for those who specialize in divorce and family law.

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Posted in: Divorce

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

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