Understanding What the 2018 Alimony Tax Law Means to You

Kane County Spousal Maintenance Attorneys

Since 1942, alimony has been tax-deductible for individuals who pay it and taxable income for individuals who receive it. However, this will be changing on January 1, 2019, when changes made to the federal tax code by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 will go into effect.

The new alimony law is a huge disruption to divorcing couples across the nation. Now, many couples already in the process of divorcing may need to reevaluate how they are looking at their divorces and what they can expect after their divorces are finalized. If you are considering seeking spousal maintenance in your divorce, or if you anticipate being required to make payments to your former spouse, discuss the law change with an experienced divorce lawyer to get a better sense of how it will likely impact you personally. It could mean having to alter your divorce strategy in order to reach a more favorable settlement. It is also a good idea to speak to an accountant about your current tax obligations and how they will change with the new tax code, and this advice can supplement the information you receive from your lawyer.

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How Does Divorce Affect a Child’s Mental Health?

How Does Divorce Affect a Child’s Mental Health?

St. Charles Family Law Attorneys

A divorce can have a significant impact on a child’s mental health. How significant of an impact the divorce has on a child’s psyche is dependent on multiple factors, such as the level of conflict present in the household prior to the divorce, the parents’ relationship during the divorce and afterward, the child’s age, the circumstances present before, during, and after the divorce, and the child’s personality. There is no way to predict exactly how a divorce will affect a specific child. Divorcing parents can educate themselves about how their divorce could affect their child and make an effort to reduce its impact on their child’s mental health. Knowing which resources are best for your child and available to him or her can help you to help your child through the divorce.

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2017 Illinois Child Support Changes

2017 Illinois Child Support Changes

An In Depth Look

On July 1, 2017, Illinois’ new child support law went into effect. Under this new law, child support orders in the state are established according to a method that considers both parents’ incomes and the percentage that each contributes to a combined family income. This is known as the income shares method.

If you have an existing child support order that was established under the old guidelines, it will remain in place unless you choose to modify the order. The same rules still apply for child support order modifications, such as the requirement that parents wait at least three years from the order’s establishment to modify it and that they demonstrate how changed circumstances necessitate the modification. Your modified child support order will then be developed in accordance with Illinois’ new guidelines.

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10 Tips for Talking to Your Children About Divorce

Kane County Divorce Attorneys

If you and your spouse are considering ending your marriage, you might feel hesitant about telling your children about the divorce. This is natural; no parent wants to give their child “bad news.” But you should not put off this important series of discussions. Below are a few tips to make talking to your children about your divorce easier.

Keep It Age-Appropriate

You know your child’s maturity level. Depending on your child’s age, give him or her enough information to understand your divorce without overwhelming him or her with facts or sharing inappropriate information. If your children have a drastic age gap, consider speaking to your older child separately to provide more information after your initial announcement.

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