Paternity and Child Support
Paternity disputes have long-term repercussions for the parents and the children. Pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act, there are four types of presumption of paternity. Two arise from marriage and two arise from the voluntarily acknowledgment of the parents. There are cases, however, when Illinois imposes paternal duties on parents even if paternity has not been […]
Tips for Online Dating
With social media and the Internet becoming larger parts of our lives, it’s no wonder that online dating is becoming increasingly popular. Online dating can be a little but intimidating and confusing, but the Huffington Post recently posted an article citing tips for being successful with online dating sites. Kate Taylor, a relationship expert at match.com, shared […]
Discussing Divorce with Children
Divorce that includes children can be much that much more stressful. One of the hardest things to do throughout the process of a divorce is breaking the news to your children. In many cases, kids fear that they will lose one of their parents or that their parents will abandon them altogether. It is important […]
Illinois Cracking Down on Domestic Violence Offenders
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed four bills that directly address the issue of family law and domestic violence. The changes will affect the way that abusers are punished and how the victims of abuse are protected. Over 100,000 people in the state of Illinois feel the effects of domestic violence every year. KLJB recently […]
Benefits of Mediation in Family Matters With Elderly
Mediation has long been discussed as a potential avenue for resolving the issues surrounding divorce or child custody, but mediation can also be effective tool for managing disputes regarding an elderly family member. Typically, parents and grandparents are a key focus of elderly mediation discussions if there health conditions are worsening. Family dynamics can be […]
Avoid Facebook During Divorce
According to a recent article, it may not be wise to post sensitive information on social media websites like Facebook and Twitter about your divorce. In some cases, the information you post can be used against you in court. In a survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 64 percent of those questioned […]
Can I Get Legal Guardianship of a Disabled Adult
An adult is considered anyone 18 years of age or older and is expected to be able to take care of themselves mentally, physically, and financially. However, adults who have a mental illness, a decline in mental ability with age, have had a disability since childhood, or those who have a physical ailment, are not […]
What Constitutes Abuse?
In 1986, the Illinois Domestic Violence Act set clear definitions and rules when it comes to abuse. This act makes it mandatory for members of law enforcement to protect a victim of abuse. If you are in an abusive marriage and are considering divorce, here are a few things that you need to know. What is Abuse? […]
What is the Difference Between Annulment and Divorce?
There are two different ways to dissolve a marriage; divorce and annulment. The two methods are very different from one another. A divorce terminates a marriage, while an annulment voids the original marriage contract. If you are trying to decide between the two processes, it is important to carefully consider the differences between the two. Many people […]
New Illinois Child Support Law
A new law is making the rounds in the Illinois legislature that would serve to “punish” parents failing to pay child support. A recent rally with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, child support advocates, and representatives from the Attorney General’s office are raising awareness about the need for more protection when it comes to […]
Facebook Can Help Determine Your Custody Case
Facebook can be a great way to connect with friends and loved ones on a daily basis. However, Facebook can also open doors to the discovery of information that you never realized can ultimately come back to haunt you. A recent study reported that Facebook was mentioned in over 30% of divorce cases last year. […]
New Bill Shakes Up Illinois Divorce Law
A new bill currently in limbo in the Illinois state legislature will significantly change some of the state’s divorce laws, according to CBS St. Louis. “It’s been more than 35 years since Illinois’ current divorce and child custody laws were created,” reports CBS, and the state’s bipartisan Family Law Study Committee has “spent the last four […]
A Prenup-The Basics
There’s nothing less romantic than asking your newly betrothed to sign off on an agreement that guarantees he or she won’t run away with your money. While the most well known prenuptial agreements are between celebrities or the very wealthy, “you don’t have to be a Rockefeller or Trump to need a premarital agreement,” according to Bankrate. […]
When Divorce is the Answer
It is normal to fight with your spouse every once in a while. After all, everyone has bad days from time to time, and we may end up saying things we don’t really mean. But when your partner’s behavior borders on abusive or is otherwise unacceptable, you should seriously consider ending the relationship. A recent article in […]
History of Divorce
Marriage has been a formalized institution since almost the beginning of time. It exists in almost every culture, whether it is an arranged marriage, marriage of need, or a love story. However, according to philosopher Voltaire, divorce has probably been around for just as long as marriage. The institution of marriage had legal ramifications in […]
Military Divorce: The Basics
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were just over 1.2 enlisted personnel in the United States Military as of August 2011. It’s no secret that relationships of those in the military are affected by the nature of the job—oftentimes, military enlistment means moving around a lot and sometimes, active foreign war duty. […]
How to Proceed with an International Divorce
Divorce is no easy process. However, if you are dealing with your spouse living or working overseas and you want to start the divorce process before their return, there are steps you must take to make sure you follow the United States laws as well as those of the country where your spouse resides. You […]
Divorce at an Older Age
In 2009, every fourth divorce happened to 50-year-olds and older. If the same trend continues in the future, chances are that the divorce rate of older people will keep on increasing. Divorce can be more difficult at an older age than at a young age, especially when it comes down to financial matters, according to […]
What is an Annulment?
Most people who are unhappy in their marriage seek advice from lawyers on possible divorce options. However, another possible option is an annulment. Although they effectively have the same outcome—the dissolution of a marriage—the terminology is not the same. An annulment is different because it is considered retroactive, meaning after the process is completed, the marriage […]
Marriage Tips | Illinois Family Law Attorney
Marriage is a lot of work. Maybe that is why so many couples give up and get divorces. Bad marriages can both really play on your nerves, stress you out and make you miserable. But why live like that? There are simple ways you can keep your marriage from going down the divorce path. Everyone […]