Category Archives: Illinois Family Lawyer
Mediation Can Reduce the Stress of Divorce
When a marriage ends, it often ends badly. Anger, resentment, and bitterness between divorcing spouses can make the process extremely stressful and difficult. It may even be impossible for some couples to sit in the same room together due to the powerful emotions involved. Many others, however, are able to peacefully work together as they navigate the necessary steps toward completing the divorce. For these situations, divorce mediation may fit the couple’s needs perfectly.
Knowing the Grounds for Divorce – Part 2
Fault
It is simply a reality of modern life that marriages sometimes fail. Couples who marry with the best intentions often find themselves facing a divorce when, for whatever reason, the relationship breaks down. In many cases, there is not just a single underlying cause for the divorce, but the combination of numerous smaller issues. Like most states, Illinois law has provisions in place to allow for divorce in such a situation without assigning fault to either spouse.
The Ins and Outs of Child Support in Illinois
Child support is a likely conclusion if you have a child and are not married to the child’s mother/father, or if you are in the process of getting a divorce. Getting the full amount of support you are owed can be difficult and complicated. However, with the right attorney, you and your child can get the correct amount of child support due.
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Separation or Divorce Checklist: Changes You Should Make
USA Today recently published an article describing five online changes that you need to make when you are getting a divorce. However, there are more than just internet changes you need to make. Here is a suggested separation or divorce checklist of changes that people should make:
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Divorce and College Expenses for Children
Often during a divorce, the children of the separating parents are young and the thought of college is far in the future. However, if you are currently facing a divorce, you need to think about divorce and college expenses for children as one of the issues. Securing college expenses is an important part of relieving future stress and arguments.
Protections for Surrogate Mothers in Illinois
Gestational surrogacy describes the process in which a surrogate mother is implanted with an egg and sperm, or in some cases only sperm, of the intended parents. The surrogate mother then brings the baby to term, delivers the baby, and transfers parentage to the intended parents, usually in exchange for compensation from the intended parents. Illinois enacted the Gestational Surrogacy Act in 2005, which provides standardization and legal protection for all parties involved in a gestational surrogacy contract.
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Divorce Modification in Illinois
Any Illinois divorce is going to bring with it a well of emotions, most of which are unpleasant and can easily become physically and emotionally taxing. Unfortunately, these feelings can cause clouded judgment, which can become very problematic when dealing with a legal contract. Although use of an experienced Illinois divorce attorney can help to avert this problem, very often divorce decrees can need modification to assist one spouse or the other.
Consequences of Divorce on Children in Illinois Child Custody Cases
Getting a divorce from a spouse who you have children with can be one of the most difficult and emotional times of your life. Unfortunately, this same emotional and psychological stress often carries over to your former spouse, and subsequently, to the children as well. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make during an Illinois divorce; causing negative consequences may be seen immediately, but also can have terrible long term effects on the childrens’ physical and mental health.
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Child Custody Problems: Substance Abuse and Divorce
A divorce can be one of the most turbulent times anyone ever has to go to go through. There are many factors that can further complicate the divorce process, even as it is already unpleasant. Some common problems that come up are issues splitting finances, disputes in child custody, and child support and alimony payments.
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Understanding Illinois Custody Statutes
If you have children and are going through a divorce, separation, or are not married to your children’s mother/father, you know that custody and visitation issues can be difficult. Understanding your rights and the reasons behind the laws is an important step to making an ultimate decision.