Posted on June 10, 2021 in Child Support

Child support can be difficult to negotiate for parents who are no longer in a relationship. Even after a child support plan is put in place, the parent who is responsible for paying child support may purposely or accidentally halt payments. Regardless of the reason for stopping child support payments, the receiving parent and child(ren) are put in a difficult situation when they cannot get the financial support they need. If the paying parent has stopped making payments, you have options to get the child support you need.

Work Directly With the Paying Parent

Try to work things out with the delinquent co-parent. Do not seek to withhold parenting time from the spouse who is delinquent on payments, or otherwise seek revenge. Even if there is an enforceable court order, co-parents may be able to work something out together. If it does come to a court battle, do not jeopardize your case by neglecting your responsibilities under the child visitation order.

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 Posted on June 07, 2021 in Child Custody

All over the U.S., individual states are changing their laws around marijuana use, making it legal at the state level even as it remains illegal under federal law. In Illinois, Governor Pritzker signed the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act into law in 2019, changing much about how marijuana is regulated and treated under the law.

Because of this new law, marijuana can no longer be used to discriminate against parents when it comes to custody considerations–with certain limitations. However, stereotypes of marijuana users are still very much a part of society, and bias exists from spouses and judges alike. Here are a few things to consider when wondering whether your or your ex’s marijuana use could impact child custody decisions.

Keep Marijuana Away From Children

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 Posted on June 04, 2021 in Child Support

Parental financial support doesn’t necessarily end when a child turns 18. Although college may not be an option every child pursues, if a child does decide to go to college, divorced and unmarried parents could be responsible under Illinois law for sharing the expense of their child’s continued education. This is considered “non-minor support,” and the law in this regard is complex and less developed than child support for minor children. Typically, college expenses are addressed in a divorce agreement (or parenting agreement, for non-married parents), but as the expenses and expectations of college change rapidly, such an agreement is often left until the child reaches college age.

Considerations in an Order for College-Related Expenses

Here are some of the factors a court will take into account when deciding how parents should contribute to a child’s educational expenses:

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 Posted on May 28, 2021 in Divorce and Finances

When going through a divorce, you may not have future consequences at the top of your list of priorities. Many people either forget about the long-term consequences of divorce or ignore them. Either way, not considering the long-term impact of your decisions can cause more stress in the long run. The downfall for many people going through a divorce occurs during the asset division process. You may be focused on your assets and fighting to get what you believe you deserve in the moment, but it is also necessary to understand the long-term effects of your decisions, including the implications for your taxes after divorce.

Things to Keep in Mind About Taxes During Divorce

When it comes to dividing your property and debts, taxes should also be a part of the equation. Even if tax issues are not an immediate concern, they can impact your overall financial health in the long run. When you go through the asset division process, here are a few things you should take into consideration concerning your tax situation:

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 Posted on May 26, 2021 in Property Division

When you are going through a divorce, it can feel like the list of things you have to do is neverending. There are dozens of issues that must be addressed before you can finalize your divorce, and resolving them often takes some time. The day you are finally able to sign your name on the dotted line is the day that you can officially say you are divorced—a sigh of relief for many. But what happens when you suddenly remember something that was left out of the divorce agreement? Can you go back and amend your agreement, even if it has already been finalized? It can be difficult to amend a divorce agreement, but it is not impossible with the help of a knowledgeable Illinois divorce lawyer.

Modifying Your Divorce Settlement Through Agreement

The court will not allow certain major issues to go unresolved before a divorce is finalized. These issues include the division of marital property, orders for child support and spousal support, and the allocation of parenting time and parental responsibilities. However, there may be smaller details that slip through the cracks, perhaps regarding the specifics of your parenting plan. The easiest and most peaceful way to address these issues is to discuss them with your ex-spouse so you can come to an agreement. Just like during the divorce process, coming to a mutual agreement can be much more efficient than fighting a contested battle in court and leaving the decision up to the judge.

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 Posted on May 25, 2021 in Family Law

Some of the most heated disputes during an Illinois divorce are those that deal with issues concerning the children. In some cases, a parent may use the child as a way to hurt or "get back" at the other parent for whatever reason. In other cases, a parent may just be so worried about the outcome of the allocation of parenting time and parental responsibilities that they decide to take the child without the permission of the other parent before they lose them. If you believe that your child has been abducted or is at risk of being abducted by their other parent, you should speak to an Illinois family law attorney to discuss your options.

Defining Child Abduction

It can be frustrating when your child’s other parent is late to drop off the child or does not exercise their visitation rights consistently. However, in some cases, a parent may act much more irresponsibly than inconsistent drop-offs. In some cases, a parent may go so far as to even abduct the child from their other parent. In the legal context, child abduction is a rather specific act that comes with serious consequences.

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 Posted on May 19, 2021 in Divorce and Finances

Your marital status does not directly affect your credit score. However, that does not mean that it cannot affect it indirectly. It is not uncommon for a person to notice a difference in their credit score during and after a divorce because of all of the financial changes that this process brings. Having a decent credit score is important for a variety of reasons. Your credit score is how lenders determine whether or not they will do business with you. If your credit score takes a hit, you could have difficulty purchasing a vehicle or home, renting a place to live, or opening any other type of line of credit. Protecting your credit score should be a priority at any time, but especially during your divorce.

Steps to Take to Protect Your Credit

If you are planning to file for divorce, it is important that you pay attention to your finances. Your entire life is changing, and it is easy for something to slip through the cracks and harm your credit score. Here are a few things you can do to help protect your credit score during your divorce:

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 Posted on May 18, 2021 in Family Law

Most people would agree that the bond between a parent and their child is a special, sacred one. Illinois courts have adopted this principle and use it in nearly all legal matters concerning children. When parents are unable to agree on certain issues, like parenting time or visitation, the judge will make the final decision with the intention of preserving the relationship the child has with each parent. Under Illinois law, fathers have just as much of a right to a relationship with their children as mothers do. Even though it may feel like a never-ending battle when you are an unmarried father, it is important to realize that there are ways to secure and protect your parenting rights regarding your child.

Is Your Child’s Paternity Established?

Before an unwed father can legally claim any rights to his child, he must first establish paternity of the child. In many cases, establishing paternity can be as easy as filling out and signing the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) form at the hospital when the baby is born. In cases in which the child’s paternity is contested, you may have to use other methods of confirming the child’s paternity, such as genetic testing. Either parent can request genetic testing to determine whether or not the alleged father is truly the biological father. Once you have established paternity through any legally recognized method, you can petition for rights regarding your child, such as parenting time and parental decision-making responsibilities.

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 Posted on May 12, 2021 in High Asset Divorce

Sometimes, things just do not work out the way that you planned, and the only thing you can do is to find a way to remedy the situation. When a marriage does not work out, divorce is usually the result. Divorce can happen to anyone, no matter your age, educational attainment, or socioeconomic status. However, couples who have a high net worth often experience different issues and difficulties that other couples may not face. Getting a divorce when you have a high net worth can be demanding and stressful. Having a clear understanding of the divorce process as a high-net-worth individual can help decrease some of the unknowns that any divorce can bring.

Important Issues in a High-Asset Divorce

While the general elements of a divorce resolution are the same for couples with a high net worth, the presence of substantial assets can complicate them. Here are some issues you are likely to encounter.

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 Posted on May 11, 2021 in Divorce

Getting a divorce is a stressful process for most people. In many cases, it can be difficult for a person going through a divorce to look toward the future and preemptively plan for something like their finances. However, it is extremely important that you begin looking at your financial situation before or during the divorce process so you do not suffer unnecessarily after everything is said and done. Most people who go through a divorce experience some sort of change in their financial situation, especially when it comes to their income and financial goals. Making a solid financial plan before you are thrust into post-divorce life can be helpful and even crucial for success after divorce.

Assessing Your Financial Situation

In many marriages, only one of the spouses really knows the details of the family’s finances. This person is commonly referred to as the "in spouse" while the other spouse is referred to as the "out spouse." The "in spouse" is typically the person who pays the bills each month, does the investing, and possibly consults with a financial planner. Because of this, the "in spouse" usually has a leg up in a divorce because they have a better understanding of the household finances. If you are the "out spouse," the first thing you should do as you prepare for divorce is to assess the situation and attempt to gain an understanding of your finances.

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