Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog
Where Negotiation Doesn’t Work, Litigation Might
As an experienced family law attorney with the Illinois law firm Nottage and Ward, Leslie Fineberg has worked with a wide variety of divorcing couples. Some may be able to negotiate a divorce settlement through mediation; some may fight constantly and go straight to litigation; and some actually find advantages to both. The issues surrounding negotiation and litigation can be complicated, but the ultimate goal is the same. You want to finalize your divorce and move on with your life.
Depending on your relationship with the spouse you are planning to divorce, you may find that coming to a divorce agreement will work best one way rather than another. While coming to an agreement yourselves in mediation is always better than having a divorce order decreed by a judge, it is not always possible for constantly feuding couples. But how do you know what will work best for you?
Family Law Attorney Leslie Fineberg Discusses Tips on Preparing for Separation during the Holidays
Knowing that you are heading towards separation or divorce after the holidays can make getting through the holidays more difficult, but the answer is not pretending it’s not going to happen or ignoring the holidays in order to prepare, especially when you have children. As an experienced Illinois family law attorney at Nottage and Ward, Leslie Fineberg encourages families to prepare for what lies ahead but to also remember that the holidays don’t have to be sacrificed, and shouldn’t be if you have children.
The Huffington Post offers some helpful tips for how you and your spouse can prepare for divorce or separation during the holidays:
Illinois May See Conflicting Legislation on the Ballot Regarding Same-Sex Marriage
It did not take long for the inadequacies of the Illinois civil union law to garner support for true equality in the form of same-sex marriage. Now, during the Illinois legislature’s two-week veto session, lawmakers have the opportunity to push a gay marriage bill to be added onto a statewide ballot. According to BallotNews.org, such a push may happen as soon as this week, the first week of December.
Supporters backing the approval of such a bill include state Representative George Harris and Equality Illinois director of public policy, Randy Hannig. Both Harris and Hannig believe that statewide and nationwide support for same-sex marriage has grown in the past two years since the Illinois civil union law passed. In fact, the recent election included four states which supported same-sex ballot issues, such as the legalization of gay marriage and the defeat of measures banning gay marriage. This demonstrates a shift in the nation’s attitudes about same-sex marriage. But a proposal for the legalization of gay marriage is not the only legislation that may end up on the ballot.
The Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Announces Divorce from Husband Michael Stone
Mayim Bialik, former Blossom star and actress on the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, announced that she and her husband of nine years, Michael Stone, are getting a divorce, according to The Huffington Post. The couple has two young sons.
There has been a lot of speculation about the reason for the couple’s decision, the most popular of which involves parenting styles. Mayim Bialik is a proponent of attachment parenting, a philosophy centered around forming close bonds with children through near-constant physical contact. The philosophy encourages co-sleeping, carrying babies in slings as opposed to strollers, and prolonged breastfeeding. Bialik even published a book on the subject, but says that the parenting philosophy did not play a role in their decision to divorce. She stated that “relationships are complicated no matter what style of parenting you choose.”
Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito Separating, Headed towards Divorce
Celebrity divorces always draw media attention, but even more so when it involves a couple that has been together as long as Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman have. According to The Huffington Post, “gray divorce” is on the rise and celebrities are no exception.
Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, 67- and 64-years-old respectively, had been married for 30 years before they decided to go their separate ways. They officially announced their separation in October and while DeVito’s “wandering eye” has been claimed as the reason for the split, a representative for DeVito claims that that is false.
Court-Ordered Parenting Classes Now Available Online in Cook County
As an experienced child custody attorney in Chicago, Jeffrey Knipmeyer knows how difficult going through divorce can be for parent and child. Fortunately, Illinois law has provisions to help parents and children through the process.
Keeping it Together after a Natural Disaster
Whether you are married, separated, or divorced, experiencing a natural disaster, as the East Coast did with hurricane Sandy, can have a substantial impact on your family relationships. As experienced Illinois divorce attorneys at Nottage and Ward, we recognize that there are many different issues that could present problems for family relationships, but a natural disaster can carry more of these issues than can be handled if you are not prepared. According to an article in The Huffington Post, hurricane Katrina was followed by a 10 percent spike in the New Orleans divorce rate.
After a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, flood, or widespread fire, it is especially important to keep your relationships together. You may have lost your home, your business, and/or your possessions, which is why it is necessary to hold on to what you still have. To make sure a natural disaster does not cause irreparable damage to your marriage, or other family relationships, keep the following tips in mind:
Looking Forward to Celebrating Thanksgiving after Divorce
After divorce, it is difficult to actually feel positive about and look forward to the holidays. Thanksgiving is a reminder of how much your life has changed and, potentially, how much has been taken away from you. It can be a heart-wrenching time, but that does not mean that it cannot be a positive experience. Your Thanksgiving can be as positive or negative as you decide to make it, and remember, while certain family relationships have changed, there are others that you still have. If you can get through your first holiday after divorce, you know that you’ll be just fine.
There are a lot of obstacles in your way when trying to prepare yourself to get through Thanksgiving, and one of the most difficult to overcome (but not impossible) is nostalgia. Remembering the Thanksgivings you had with your family and the traditions you created can be heartbreaking, but focusing on what you did in the past won’t do you any good in the present. Make new traditions. You may have celebrated Thanksgiving with your spouse’s family while you were married, but this year, spend it with your parents, siblings, or even friends.
Illinois Lawmakers May Consider Gay Marriage Bill as Early as This Month
It’s been made clear that the Illinois Civil Union Act has left much to be desired when it comes to true equality for same-sex couples under the law. It did not take long for the state’s ban on gay marriage to be challenged and now, a bill to legalize gay marriage may be considered as early as this month, according to an article in On Top Magazine, a gay advocacy website.
One of the bill’s sponsors, State Representative Greg Harris, told the Windy City Times that the bill, which was first introduced in February 2012, may actually come up for vote during the General Assembly’s upcoming veto, or lame duck session. He encourages supporters to contact their representatives to voice their support of the bill.
Where Do Politics Fit into Marriage and Divorce?
The impact politics have on a married couple can be great or relatively non-existent; it all depends on the people and their relationship. But politics can easily destroy a marriage and ruin any relationship with your ex after divorce if you let it.
In Marriage
Oftentimes, common political views are one of the reasons why two people are in a relationship. You have the same opinions and vote for the same candidates and maintain the same position on propositions and other legislation. Occasionally, these political views change, and depending on how much and how the change is handled, such a shift in a couple’s dynamics can cause discord and potentially lead to divorce. You and your spouse do not have to have the same politics, but learning how to deal with contentious topics in a healthy way is necessary to maintain the relationship. It is best to keep an open mind and try to understand your partner’s views; this doesn’t mean that you have to agree with them, but even just trying to understand them may go along way.
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