Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Marriage Equality

 Posted on December 15, 2012 in Family Law

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to review two cases regarding same-sex marriage, in what the Associated Press calls a “potentially historic” hearing “challenging governments’ different treatment of gay Americans.” The first is the Defense of Marriage Act that states that the federal government will only recognize marriage as the union between two people of the opposite sex. The law has faced intense criticism since its inception in 1996, and been upheld several times by circuit courts across the nation. The other ruling that the country’s highest court will debate next year is California’s Prop 8, which, according to the Associated Press, is the state’s constitutional amendment that forbids same-sex marriage. The anticipated 2013 hearing will be the first time that the Supreme Court will address the question of same-sex marriage. It’s not the first time in recent history that the status of gay and lesbian citizens has been addressed in the Supreme Court, however. In 2003, according to PolicyMic.com, the Justices ruled 6–3 against a Texas law criminalizing gay sex as an unconstitutional violation of privacy. “Since then,” according to PolicyMic, “nine states have legalized same-sex marriage, the Obama administration formally repealed Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the policy that prevented gays from serving opening in the military, and formally stopped defending against legal challenges to DOMA.” It’s no secret that the Obama Administration is staunchly against the Defense of Marriage Act, and most legal experts agree that the Supreme Court ruling, expected in June of next year, will repeal the controversial legislation. The state of Illinois has recognized same-sex unions since June 2011. In the first six months that the state offered civil unions, according to Illinois Issues, about 3,700 couples sought civil union licenses. Yet if gay marriage, not just civil unions, are legalized—and on a national level—the unions recognized in Illinois would be legitimate across the country. If you or someone you know is seeking information about gay marriage or civil unions in Illinois, contact a dedicated Illinois family law attorney today. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Child Custody in Illinois

 Posted on December 12, 2012 in Divorce

There are, of course, several complicated issues to be addressed when going through a divorce. If children are involved, it’s even more so. The court system in Illinois takes into consideration several different factors when determining child custody, the crux of which is the child’s best interests. States all have different rules that evoke the “child’s best interest,” according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, a governmental resource. In Illinois, the following factors that determine a child’s best interest include, but are not limited to:

• the physical safety and welfare of the child
• the child’s background and ties, including familial, cultural, and religious
• the child’s wishes and long-term goals
• the child’s community ties
• the child’s sense of attachments

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Deadbeat Parents Owe Over $100 Billion in Back Support

 Posted on December 10, 2012 in Family Law

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New Apps May Make Divorce a Little Easier

 Posted on December 07, 2012 in Divorce

We are a society that loves our phone apps. There are of course the entertainment apps – music, games, social media, etc. There are apps that make our lives easier – GPS apps, apps to scan our groceries as we shop, banking apps, note taking apps and even apps that will tell you where the closest public restroom is to the location you’re at. A recent article in Huffington Post reports that there are now apps that can help make the divorce process a bit more organized as well.

• The Divorce Log app is a calendar based program and helps keep all the information you need to keep track of all in one place. It allows you to track items like child support and alimony payment dates, time you spend with the children and any expenses you incur. Any entries that are store in the app can be forwarded directly to an email address, allowing you to send the info directly to an attorney or ex-spouse.

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Gay Marriage Lawsuit Plaintiffs Urge Legislature to Pass Same Sex Marriage Bill

 Posted on December 05, 2012 in Family Law

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Women Lose Healthcare After Divorce

 Posted on November 29, 2012 in Divorce

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Why You Shouldn't Hide Assets in Divorce

 Posted on November 25, 2012 in Divorce

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Holiday Hints For Divorced Parents

 Posted on November 21, 2012 in Divorce

Divorce is always hard and if you have children, it can be even more emotionally demanding. As we are just past Halloween, it might be good to look at handling holiday issues when you are separated or newly divorced. The holiday season can be hard to deal with for both children and their separated parents. A blog on psychologytoday.com provided a list of ten hints for the divorced around holidays. The first thing to remember is that the holidays are not all about you. An adult can deal with a different holiday celebration better than a child who has high hopes for their holidays. Secondly, it is wise to make holiday plans a little earlier than you used to, and it will be easier to do if you communicate with your ex about what they had in mind for a holiday. You will both have to miss some holidays with your kids, so the best thing for everyone is to talk about the plans and make some compromises. The holidays are also not a competition between parents. Children might appreciate gifts, but emotional presence and attention goes beyond a fancy gift or a dozen. Try to concentrate on the holidays themselves, and not on bribing your children Lastly, work out the details in advance, like already mentioned, but also make sure to tell your children about what the plans are. This will make them feel more secure in the midst of spending holidays in a new and terrifying way. Divorces are tough emotionally for everyone involved, and that is exactly why getting an experienced divorce attorney to help you is important. A skilled divorce attorney has been through quite a few divorce cases in the past, so they know how to deal with these issues. If you are planning to file for divorce or already did so, contact a dedicated Illinois divorce attorney in Kane County today.

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Divorce, Children, And Religion

 Posted on November 18, 2012 in Divorce

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Legendary Hip Hop Producer Faces Arrest Warrant for Child Support

 Posted on November 15, 2012 in Child Support

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