Posted on February 13, 2024 in Child Custody

A major topic in divorce relates to how parents raise their children when they are no longer married. In Illinois, parents need to file something called a parenting plan with the court. This is essentially an outline that dictates every aspect of how their children will be cared for, both physically and mentally, since it includes things like where the child will live and which parents can make various important decisions on their behalf. When formulating a parenting plan, having a knowledgeable Kane County, IL child custody lawyer on your side can be invaluable for helping you sort through all the aspects and factors involved.

Aspects of a Parenting Plan

Parents often formulate their parenting plan after careful consideration outside the courtroom and then submit it to the court for approval. Parenting plans are extremely important because they enable both the parents and the children to have realistic expectations of how things will go after a divorce is finalized.

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 Posted on February 12, 2024 in Asset Division

When a couple gets a divorce, they need to work out all the many ways that their separation will affect their lives. Typical married couples might have things like a shared bank account, home, car, retirement funds, and other assets that they will need to be divided among the spouses. If a couple has considerable wealth, theirs might be what is considered a high-asset divorce. The larger scope of assets being divided can make the entire process more complicated.

While there is no clear definition for the term high-asset divorce, it is commonly agreed that a couple whose assets are valued at a million dollars or more would fit the bill. Sometimes, this happens when one spouse comes from a wealthy background and has a demanding and lucrative career, and the other spouse does not work but instead maintains their household. Other times, both spouses work and earn money and contribute financial assets to the marriage. Either way, thoughts about how divorce can affect your standard of life can be quite stressful.

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 Posted on February 09, 2024 in Divorce

For some people, going on a trip can be a stressful mix of unnecessary spending, logistics, sleep arrangements, and getting children settled in a new environment just when it is time to return home. For others, travel is an excellent way to unwind, experience new things, and come home rejuvenated.

If the second category describes you, then a trip might be exactly what you want especially when you are in the midst of a nerve-wracking divorce process. You might want to go on a trip with your child to help you enjoy some quality time together away from the negativity that might characterize the divorce proceedings.

However, until any parenting arrangements have been finalized in a divorce, there may be questions as to whether or not you are legally permitted to take your child with you on a trip. If you are thinking about booking travel plans for you and your child before your divorce is finalized, a DuPage County, IL divorce lawyer can walk you through the implications and help you decide how to move forward.

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 Posted on February 09, 2024 in Divorce

Divorce is a topic many people prefer to avoid. Whether they do not want to think about the possibility that they would get a divorce or it simply does not seem relevant to their lives, it is not a topic people generally bring up out of the blue. Perhaps that is why there might be some confusion about what a divorce entails. This article will go over some common aspects of divorce in Illinois. If divorce is something that might be pertinent to your life, you should speak with a knowledgeable St. Charles, IL divorce lawyer to find out more.

Grounds for Divorce in Illinois

As of January 2016, Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. The only grounds the courts will accept before granting a divorce are “irreconcilable differences,” and there is a large variety of things that can be included under that general title. Rather than focusing on the specifics, for example, an affair, the couple needs to prove that there is no hope for reconciliation between the two and that their marriage needs to end.

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 Posted on February 07, 2024 in Child Custody

One of the most difficult parts of a typical divorce involving parents is the custody arrangement. If both parents want to have the most time possible with their children and they also both recognize each other’s parental merits, trying to figure this out can be extremely challenging. When one parent believes the other is unfit to care for their children, it makes the process even more complicated. Sometimes, courts will use psychological evaluations to determine whether parents can provide their children with a safe and stable environment. If you are concerned about your spouse’s mental health, speak with a knowledgeable Kane County, IL divorce lawyer to see whether a psychological evaluation might make sense for your divorce case.

How Do Psychological Evaluations Work?

When parents going through a divorce need to work out a custody agreement but there are questions regarding the mental health and stability of at least one of the parents, the court might decide that a psychological evaluation is necessary to help determine whether the child will be safe and their best interests can be protected. A qualified and authorized mental health professional will be asked to conduct tests and share their observations with the court. This person will take into account any issues of substance abuse or mental health that could affect a parent’s ability to raise their child in a healthy manner and provide them with a safe environment. The person conducting the evaluation will also interview people relevant to the case, including:

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 Posted on January 30, 2024 in Divorce

Whenever a couple regrets being married, divorce is a very common option available to them. However, if they can meet certain criteria, annulment can also be a relevant possibility. As it is a less common procedure, people are generally less familiar with what exactly an annulment is. Divorce legally ends a marriage, while annulment legally deems it invalid and therefore not something that needs to be ended. As such, there are specific conditions that need to be met for a marriage to be annulled rather than ended by divorce. If you and your spouse do not want to stay married, a Wheaton, IL, divorce lawyer can explain what is involved in an annulment and help you decide whether this might be the right step for you.

What Are the Criteria for Annulment?

While divorce legally ends a valid marriage, an annulment is how the courts in the State of Illinois declare a marriage invalid. The court can issue a declaration of invalidity of marriage and then it is as if the couple was never truly married to begin with.

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 Posted on January 29, 2024 in Divorce

While America is certainly the land of the free and the home of the brave, there are laws that citizens need to abide by for the greater good. There are laws prohibiting you from driving faster than certain speeds, from ingesting certain chemicals that could be dangerous, and from stealing, among others. There are other laws in place to protect you, for example, laws ensuring that businesses treat you fairly, that food meets certain standards of health and safety, and that you are not discriminated against based on parts of your identity. One area of law that you may be less familiar with is the laws prohibiting certain types of relationships. Marriages that are between two people in a prohibited relationship can be annulled without needing to go through the process of divorce If you have questions concerning a relationship you are not sure is legal, a Kane County, IL, annulment lawyer can advise you.

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 Posted on January 25, 2024 in Divorce

For families with the means to travel on vacation, such trips can be a welcome change of pace. While everyone can benefit from fresh scenery and a break from routine, families who are in the midst of a divorce often experience pressure and stress, and a vacation trip can be especially refreshing. However, if your divorce and therefore your parenting plan has not yet been finalized, it can be quite complicated to travel with any children you have who are minors. Speak with a Kane County, IL, family law attorney to understand what might be the best way for you to proceed.

Legal Implications of Travel During Divorce Proceedings

When two parents are married to each other, it is not problematic for one parent to take their children on a trip. There are many different reasons why married parents might travel separately. Maybe the mom recently gave birth and could use some quiet at home; in such a case, the father might take the older kids to their grandparents for a few days. If a cousin is getting married and there is an elaborate wedding weekend planned but one parent has professional obligations that they cannot get out of on that Friday, the other parent might take the kids earlier and the parent who has to work that day can join them later on

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 Posted on January 23, 2024 in Asset Division

A common question that people going through a divorce ask is what they should do with the home they share. Real estate is a significant asset generally worth a lot of money. In addition to financial value, some people put a lot of time and effort into a renovation that turns it into the home they always dreamed of. Other people have a strong emotional attachment to their home, as it is a part of their memories of important stages in their lives. It is easy to see why the question of what to do with a family home in a divorce is no simple matter to answer. If you are going to get divorced and find yourself struggling with the same issue, an experienced Wheaton, IL, property division lawyer can offer you guidance and help you weigh your options.

Why Is This Such a Complicated Issue to Resolve?

Unlike other assets that can be divided based on their monetary value, several factors go into the decision of whether or not you want to keep your home after a divorce. When you think about the home, are your memories of it positive or negative? Did you invest in renovating it? Is it your dream home or just a place where you happen to live?

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 Posted on January 22, 2024 in Divorce

The divorce process is typically characterized by some degree of conflict. In some couples, the spouses do not want to be in the same room as each other and seem to be guided mostly by a desire to spite each other. In other couples, the spouses appreciate each other and are sincerely attempting to pave the way toward a functional future for their family, but the fact that they no longer wish to stay married can be painful and disappointing nonetheless. Some conflict will remain between the spouses regardless of either of their actions, based on their emotional state. Other conflicts might be the result of their conduct during the divorce proceedings. If you would prefer to avoid as much conflict as possible, a knowledgeable St. Charles, IL, divorce lawyer can advise you on helpful ways to minimize conflict during your divorce.

Sincere Willingness to Negotiate

There is a difference between showing up to the negotiating table begrudgingly and being there with a true desire to reach a settlement you can both find acceptable. It is ok to disagree on various aspects and want different things. If you can both express what you want and what you mean without attempting to manipulate or “win” your divorce, chances are much higher for you to reach a settlement with greater ease. If you can both commit to avoiding drama and hope and trust that your spouse is doing the same, this can certainly help you minimize some conflict.

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