Posted on October 26, 2022 in Child Support

Child support in Illinois terminates at age 18 or high school graduation. Since January 1, 2016, codified in Section 513 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, divorced parents have been obligated to contribute to their non-minor child’s education and living expenses. However, these agreed-upon contributions, stated in the divorce decree, can be modified. For instance, a modification is likely if one parent is incapable of contributing payment because of unemployment or illness. If a financially able parent default on payment, then that parent can be held in contempt of court.

Negotiating the tuition and living expenses of a non-minor child can be acrimonious. A family law attorney who understands the complexities of child support can help draft a modification or enforce a prearranged tuition agreement in the divorce decree.

Seven Terms of Section 513 of the Illinois Law

1. The funds from a 529 account, which appropriates money for higher education, can help with payment for tuition and living expenses.

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 Posted on October 25, 2022 in Property Division

In the United States, pets are often treated and considered family members. Their devotion is clear, as nearly $70 billion is spent annually on pets, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). The 85 million families who own at least one pet, which accounts for 67 percent of American households, demonstrates how massive the pet industry is to the economy. The bond between some owners and their pets is intense.

According to a Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) study, 79 percent of pet owners confirm their pets reduce stress. Owning a pet could also minimize cardiovascular disease and depression. So, when divorcing spouses dispute the custody of their family pet, it is sometimes as stressful and hostile as a child custody battle. Deciphering the ownership and visitation rights of a pet can be complex. A family law attorney skilled in both child and pet custody disputes can help strategize and determine pet ownership and responsibilities.

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 Posted on October 21, 2022 in Child Custody

Child custody battles can be contentious, acrimonious, traumatic, and costly. A reliable child custody attorney can help with dispute resolution to facilitate an amicable outcome. However, when dispute resolution, like mediation, fails, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL), a child representative, or a custody evaluator to help determine what is in the child's best interests. These investigations can be intrusive, nerve-racking, and embarrassing, making some feel unfairly judged. A child custody attorney skilled in collaborative law can also help you prepare for the evaluations of court-appointed, third-party investigators.

What is a Guardian Ad Litem, a Child Representative, and a Custody Evaluator?

Guardian ad litem (GAL) -- GALs, who are certified and trained through the Department of Children and Family Services, advocate and protect a child's best interest during custody battles. Working on behalf of a child, a GAL is typically court-appointed and can serve as a witness. After a thorough investigation, GALs provide recommendations to the judge. A GAL's fees are billed to the child's parents or guardians.

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 Posted on October 18, 2022 in Child Custody

Acrimonious divorce and custody battles can be traumatic for the child in the short term and, if unresolved, in the long term. If a parent starts to date shortly after the divorce, this can wreak havoc on the child’s psyche as they try to adjust to their new circumstances. The child’s confusion and animosity regarding the divorce will likely intensify if a parent dates a person from an adulterous affair that was the catalyst for the divorce. Introducing a child to a new partner may instigate the child’s feelings of abandonment and heighten friction between the other parent.

If not stipulated in the divorce decree or parenting plan, a parent has the legal right to introduce their child to a new partner. However, this does not necessarily render the disputing parent without legal recourse. A divorce attorney can help negotiate an agreeable solution and implement a post-decree modification.

Potential Issues That May Necessitate a Modification

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 Posted on October 12, 2022 in Divorce

Effective January 1, 2016, Illinois transitioned to a no-fault divorce state. Public Act 99-90 (SB 57) amended the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/101 et seq., eradicating the at-fault divorce law when spouses could be held accountable for divorce. If a spouse commits infidelity, mental or physical abuse, or financial fraud, they will not be blamed for the marriage's demise. The benefit of a no-fault divorce state mitigates family trauma as neither spouse is culpable. Divorce is either uncontested or contested. Whether you proceed with an uncontested or contested divorce, retaining a good divorce attorney is imperative.

Ten Essential Steps to an Uncontested Divorce

Even if you are lucky enough to have an uncontested, amicable divorce, each party should still retain counsel. A lawyer can evaluate the spouses’ agreed-upon proposals and accurately draft the divorce decree. Hiring a lawyer to assist with an uncontested divorce is also crucial if the couple has children, has been married for an extended period, has a high net worth, or has high-value assets. The benefit of an uncontested divorce is that neither party has to appear in court, which renders the process cost-effective, timely, and peaceful. An uncontested divorce usually entails the following steps.

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 Posted on September 29, 2022 in Property Division

Illinois law affirms that retirement accounts classified as marital property are subject to equitable property division during divorce. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a court order that obligates the contributing party to pay the alternate payee or dependent a portion of their retirement account. A divorce attorney proficient in the complexities of complex property divisions can prepare a fair and straightforward divorce settlement that adequately addresses retirement benefits.

Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) in Divorce

Included in a divorce decree, the legally-binding QDRO specifies the division and disbursement of retirement accounts. A QDRO can incorporate assets from more than one retirement fund. Alternate payees have the option to roll over the assets into their own retirement accounts. They can elect a lump sum, but those funds are typically taxable. Alternate payees also have the option to choose future installments, allowing them to control the investments of their shares.

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 Posted on September 23, 2022 in Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is a type of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in which both parties and their lawyers agree to settle disputes outside the courtroom. With collaborative law, divorce proceedings can be amicable. Eliminating litigation can also result in a more economical and expeditious divorce that mitigates acrimony. The collaborative law model encourages parties in family legal proceedings to responsibly and respectfully resolve their disputes. The best interests of the child is always at the forefront of every collaborative law conflict. Negotiations and mutually created outcomes are prioritized. Skilled in this type of dispute resolution, a collaborative law lawyer can help facilitate a shared resolution and fair divorce agreement.

Ten Elements of Collaborative Law

Collaborative law divorce attorneys are trained to qualify for this dispute resolution discipline. Through the collaborative process, divorcing spouses may be able to negotiate an agreement regarding property division, child custody, and other divorce matters. Collaborative law includes the following elements:

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 Posted on September 22, 2022 in Child Custody

According to the Illinois Department of Child & Family Services, nearly 70 percent of child abuse is not reported to authorities. Typically, a child informs seven adults of their abuse or neglect before it is reported to the authorities. Any delay in reporting can intensify the severity of the abuse and embolden the offender to abuse more children. The Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois (CACI) asserts each day, there are 222 reports of abuse, and one in ten children are sexually abused before reaching 18 years of age. Illinois law defines four types of child abuse: emotional, physical, sexual, and neglect.

For most, child abuse engenders reactions of visceral disgust and outrage, especially as children are the most vulnerable in society. Child abuse can be perpetrated by an ex-spouse, the ex-spouse's new partner, or even the child's step-sibling. A divorce attorney can help a concerned parent who suspects their child is suffering abuse to present their case to the court, modify the parenting plan, and petition for an order of protection.

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 Posted on September 19, 2022 in Gray Divorce

Colloquially known as gray divorce, late-in-life divorce has steadily risen since the 1990s, and the divorce rate of this demographic is projected to triple by 2030. According to the American Association of Retired Persons, 25 percent of all divorces occur later in life. A gray divorce comprises those over age 50 who divorce after decades of marriage. Divorce at any stage in life can be traumatic for all families. However, the longer a marriage, the more complicated and acrimonious a divorce can be.

Late-in-life divorces can instigate not only emotional turmoil between spouses but also among their adult children, grandchildren, in-laws, and family friends. Late-in-life divorces can entail complex asset division, and a divorce attorney skilled in this delicate field can help strategize a fair divorce agreement.

Five Common Gray Divorce Motives

Divorce, for some, may still be painful and shocking, but it is no longer stigmatized. Every divorce is different, and a myriad of incentives for divorce prevail among the older set. Sometimes a long-term spouse harbors regret for their unfulfilled goals. Other times a spouse has only sustained being in the marriage until their children had grown. With the increase in longevity, some of the following conflicts could provoke a late-in-life divorce.

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 Posted on September 13, 2022 in Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Marital agreements such as prenuptial or postnuptial agreements are analogous to insurance policies as they create peace of mind. No longer a contract exclusive to the affluent, obtaining a marital agreement is now a prevailing exercise of due diligence for couples of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Negotiating a marital agreement can sometimes be a contentious and uncomfortable transaction between a couple. With divorce nearing 40 percent, a marital agreement is a practical and beneficial step to alleviate the possibility of future disputes or hefty legal fees in the event of divorce. Even though you may not anticipate a divorce, a divorce attorney can draft a meticulous marital agreement tailored to your needs.

Five Reasons to Negotiate and Sign a Prenuptial Agreement

A prenuptial agreement is a legally binding contract intended to protect each spouse's assets and property rights in the event of divorce. If a contesting party can prove coercion, the court may deem the terms of the contract to be unenforceable. For instance, if a spouse pressured the other to sign a prenuptial agreement without their review and shortly before the wedding, that may be considered coercion. Therefore, it is wise to execute the agreement carefully and identify and detail each couple’s assets and debts with full transparency. The many reasons to attain a prenuptial agreement can include the following:

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