Types of Alimony Awarded in Illinois Divorce
Alimony in Illinois is typically referred to as spousal support or maintenance, and it involves one former spouse paying support to the other, less wealthy spouse. Many people going through a divorce are aware of the concept of alimony but are unaware that there are multiple kinds of support, each with their own requirements and stipulations. […]
Premarital Counseling May Help Lower the Odds of Divorce
Prenuptial agreements are quite common in our society, as they help couples safeguard their assets from a possible divorce prior to entering into marriage. However, prenuptial agreements are not the only precautionary measures that a couple can take to decrease the likelihood of an unpleasant divorce. Premarital counseling is another way to make sure that a couple […]
Grounds for Pursuing a Divorce
The decision to divorce can be emotional, but may be the only way to end a toxic relationship. Of course, when entering into a marriage with a loved one, both spouses hope that their love will last forever. However, the harsh reality is that this is not always the case. Depending on the circumstances surrounding […]
What Is Alienation of Affection?
There is nothing more sacred than promising to share the rest of your life with a person you love. Although relationships are bound to have their fair share of ups and downs, sometimes problems arise that make a marriage irreconcilable. Whether it is because the spark that was once there fizzles out or a spouse […]
What Has Led To a Decrease in Divorce Rates Since the 1960s?
Throughout history, marriage has been revered as a sacred vow taken by two people who promise to share their lives together. In years past, a marriage typically only dissolved when one of the spouses died. In the early 19th century, the term “divorce” carried a negative stigma and a couple who sought a divorce was […]
Excessive Facebook Use May Fuel Divorce
Social media sites have gained popularity throughout the years as a way to interact and connect with old or new friends. Facebook in particular is one of the most utilized social media sites in the world. Having the ability to share pictures, provide status updates, and play online games with “friends” on Facebook allows a […]
Dealing With Mental Illness in a Marriage: How Can Couples Avoid Divorce?
Mental Illness All marriages take effort by both parties in order to succeed. However, a marriage where one spouse has a mental illness or a personality disorder can be especially challenging to sustain. There are high instances of divorce in these relationships if the couple does not learn how to address the issue openly and […]
Skipping Court: Divorce Mediation
While there are always questions to be worked out during divorce, it is not always the case that it must be done in court. Many couples are instead choosing divorce mediation or other methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve issues like child custody, spousal support and division of the marital estate. Such an […]
Self-Care During a Divorce
When a couple decides to divorce, much of their energy is spent on completing tasks, whether these tasks consist of physically moving out of the marital home or making sure to sign all the documents to protect their financial interests. Too often though, the parties forget to take care of their emotional needs, which sometimes […]
Tax Consequences of a Divorce
Most couples are well educated on the tax consequences of filing jointly when they first get married. In fact, they welcome their new status with open arms. Getting married generally means the couple will enjoy greater tax deductions, especially if the couple decides to buy a home or have children. However, very few couples consider […]
Deciding to Separate: What to Consider Before Divorcing
Marriages in Trouble When marriages are going through difficult times, there are often several steps the couple can take before they ultimately decide that divorce is the only viable option. Some couples informally separate while others proceed through a formal process of legal separation within the court system. Physical Separation One of the first and […]
The Internet and Social Media: Do They Bring Marriages Closer Together or Tear Them Apart?
Changing Relationships in a Technology-Saturated World Married couples struggle every day with balancing work and family life, making tough financial decisions, and sharing child-rearing responsibilities. At times, juggling it all can seem impossible and the overwhelming stress leads some couples to contemplate divorce. Now, add to the mix the effects that the Internet and social […]
Gay Marriage: Tax Implications
Gay Marriage The rights of married couples have recently been extended in many states, including Illinois, to include gay couples. Illinois now officially recognizes gay marriage under the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. But while this is a boon for equality, newly married gay couples still need time to adjust psychologically to the idea of being married, […]
Divorce And Long Term Financial Planning for Your Child's Future
Divorce takes a huge toll on all parties involved. Not only is it an emotionally devastating process, it requires the couple to completely deconstruct the life they built together. In doing so, they must physically move out of the home, separate all of their assets, and, if they have children together, balance the time their […]
Cook County is the First to Perform Same-Sex Weddings in Illinois
The Changing Definition of Marriage The definition of marriage in the United States has slowly been expanding to extend the rights and benefits traditionally afforded to opposite-sex couples to their same-sex counterparts. According to The Washington Post, since the Supreme Court struck down a key provision in the Defense of Marriage Act in the case U.S. v. […]
Online Dating: Does It Lead To More Successful Marriages and End In Less Divorce?
Dating and Marriage Today Gone are the days when people were more likely to meet their future spouse in school or at work. In the ever-increasing busy society in which we live, many are finding it harder to meet people through normal everyday social interactions. People are spending more time in front of a computer […]
Famed Musical Duo Captain and Tenille File For Divorce
When reading tabloids or following the relationships of the stars, divorce is never far from people’s minds. Often, hearing of a couple’s divorce in Hollywood is not shocking, as if the question of splitting was not a matter of “if,” but “when.” However, there are occasionally stalwarts of the institution, married movie stars and musicians […]
Oklahomans Facing Bills That Would Make Obtaining a Divorce Harder
An Oklahoma state representative has introduced a bill that would make obtaining a divorce slightly more difficult than it currently is, NewsOK reports. Representative Arthur Hulbert proposed the bill in a purported effort to curb the increasing number of divorces in the state. The bill would extend the waiting period to six months, longer than the […]
Signs To Watch Out For In Your Marriage
Marriage is difficult. Fights will happen, disagreements will arise, and your spouse will annoy you. Those who buy into the fantasy life that is suggested by fairy tales are doomed to disappointment at best, and divorce at worst. Very few people get married knowing that the relationship will end indivorce, and indeed all but the […]
Divorce in the News: Scandal and Confusion in the Realm Of Marriage
Americans are a voyeuristic people, by and large, and no subject seems to intrigue us more than the end of relationships. The popularity of gossip magazines and tabloid photographs testifies to the notion that we crave salacious details of the misfortunes of others. Whether a formerly prominent celebrity has fallen into scandal, or an ordinary […]