While 94 Percent of Couples Report Being Happy, 45 Percent of Marriages Still End in Divorce
Love is a many-splendored thing, or so the movies tell us. And, despite some reports and surveys that say its relevance has come and gone, marriage remains for many the ultimate expression of love. Our changing society’s attitudes toward cohabitation and child-rearing may have made marriage less important, and the number of marriages in the […]
Garnishment Orders Must be Very Precise, Says Illinois Supreme Court
Child support is an often divisive aspect of the divorce process. While the State of Illinois (and most, if not all, other jurisdictions) take a dim view of those who shirk their support responsibilities, it also takes a dim view of those who knowingly shirk their responsibilities in response to court orders; to wit, the […]
Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Protect Your Assets… And Your Ex
Marriage is an institution that has been celebrated for its tradition and idealism. In spite of the high percentage of marriages that end in divorce (a number that is steadily decreasing), it is hard not to be swept away by the pageantry, pomp, and purity (either real or perceived) that have been part of the American […]
Four Myths About Marriage
When participating in a monogamous relationship, it can be easy to fall back on fantasy and ideal when deciding on a partner, or whether to stay with a partner. Children are raised on stories like Cinderella and Snow White, stories of love at first sight and living happily ever after. While few believe that such […]
Spousal Support: Offensive to Modern Society?
Marriage as an institution is still firmly rooted in traditional family notions. The ceremony itself is rife with symbolism of two becoming one, with knots being tied together or two candles simultaneously lighting a single candle. The law treats marriage the same way, in many instances treating each spouse not as separate legal entities, but […]
Important Things to Consider If You Are Over 50 and Considering Divorce
As the elderly population of the United States increases, governments and think tanks are studying the implications. The ubiquitous argument over the life of Social Security continues unabated. Some groups are calling for the nation’s 20-somethings to begin having children, lest the entire economic system collapses. But another increase that is not receiving the same […]
Survey Reveals Number of Women Cheating is Increasing
It was recently reported in a survey by the National Opinion Research Center that women are statistically catching up to men with it comes to being unfaithful to their spouses. For the past twenty years, the number of men who admit to cheating has remained at approximately 21 percent. But in that same two decade […]
Back To The Basics: Should I Pursue A "Fault" Divorce?
When filing for divorce, one of the preliminary and most basic issues to determine are the grounds that will be alleged for the divorce. In Illinois, a spouse may file for divorce based on either “fault” or “no-fault” grounds. As can be expected, the facts of each case will determine which grounds are appropriate to […]
Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Dissolution In Illinois
The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Windsor raises questions about how the federal government will view same-sex couples who reside in Illinois. As you may know, Windsor declared that the federal Defense of Marriage Act is illegal in the country. This means that the federal government now recognizes same-sex marriages. The […]
Gray Divorce Among America's Baby Boomers
More couples are divorcing after age 50, according to a recent, high-profile article in the New York Times. For many Americans, the increased rate of divorce among older spouses comes as shock. In the mid-twentieth century, only 2.8 percent of American over the age of 50 were divorced, the article reported. However, by year 2000, 11.8 […]
Male Unemployment Increases Risk of Divorce
When a marriage is in trouble, there are many catalysts that can lead to divorce. A study led by Liana Sayer at Ohio State University confirmed one such catalyst is unemployment. Specifically, the study found that male unemployment increases the risk of either the husband or the wife ending the marriage. While the study does not speculate […]
Could Genes Impact Likelihood of Divorce?
A new study from Northwestern University shows that your genes play a role in your potential for marital bliss. The study was initiated from the concept that some marriages have one spouse tuned in exceptionally well to the emotions of the marriage while the other spouse is out of touch and needs emotional reminders. Emotional differences played […]
Are You a Candidate for Joint Simplified Dissolution of Marriage?
In a perfect world, no one would have to get divorced and marriages would last forever. The next best option would be that if people had to get divorced, it would be amicable and there would be nothing to fight over. In 1994, the state of Illinois made a streamlined divorce option available called the Joint […]
Protection for 'Out-Spouses'
In a lot of marriages, both spouses share the responsibility and knowledge of all financial decisions equally. Both have equal knowledge about their assets, taxes, estate planning and other legal and financial issues. But there are also many marriages where only of the spouses has taken responsibility for handling and maintaining all of those duties. […]
Woman Wants Payment for Fertilized Eggs in Alimony Settlement
The New York Times recently reported about a N.J. woman who, as part of her divorce settlement, wants her soon-to-be ex-husband to cover the cost of having her eggs frozen and stored for later fertilization. As the trend of more and more couples either waiting to start families (or finding the need to go through fertility treatments) […]
Could Summer Break Lead to Divorce?
The summer break from school might add more strain to marriages between parents of school age children than any other time of year, according to the Daily Telegraph. Although divorce is challenging for all the parties involved, feeling at the end of your rope and planning to end your marriage is a sure sign that you […]
Are Stepdads More Likely to Divorce?
A recent study released by stepdadding.com illustrates some interesting data: husbands who serve as stepfathers are twice as likely to leave their wives than husbands in traditional marriages. More than half (61%) of male respondents who articulated an end to their remarriage were the ones who initiated the divorce. It seems that the strain of adjusting to […]
Behavior Adjustments That Can Save a Marriage
Everyone can understand how extramarital affairs can lead to divorce. It is also easy to see how an abusive spouse should be left. But what about the smaller things that can lead to divorce? What behaviors can be changed or altered that can keep your marriage alive and well? A marriage is based on love, trust, and […]
Avoiding a Divorce If Your Spouse Cheated
Infidelity is a major cause of divorce in the United States. While some think that men cheat more than women, the gap is not as big as one may think. In 2010, almost 15% of women and 21% of men admitted to committing adultery. This data is based on a study conducted by the National Opinion Research […]
When a Guardian Ad Litem Works Against You
In Illinois, it is common for judges to appoint a guardian at litem (“GAL”) to look out for the best interest of the children in a divorce case, and to present an objective picture to the court. Often, the GAL’s involvement is limited to an initial investigation. There are cases, however, where the findings of the GAL […]