Courts Continue to Rule that Embryos Are Property, Not People
Couples who struggle with infertility, or have a history of conditions that could lead to infertility (such as cancer), often have their embryos frozen to ensure they have the ability to have a family later on. What happens, though, if that couple then divorces? What happens to the embryos? Historically, they have been treated as […]
Understanding And Minimizing The Impact Of Divorce On Children
Divorce is difficult for all involved parties, but children are often the most sensitive to the changes. Not only must they adjust to their family no longer being together, they often struggle with concepts that are well beyond their ability to understand. Thankfully, though, parents can help minimize the impact by understanding it. The following […]
Parents Choosing Surrogacy Should Understand Their Legal Rights
Families can grow in a number of ways. All of them are beautiful, but some can be extremely complex. Surrogacy is one such method. Full of promise, but also possible pitfalls, it can lead to legal troubles and possible heartbreak. Potential parents can reduce their risk of experiencing these ill outcomes by ensuring they understand […]
Tips For Creating A Happy, Blended Family
According to a study from Pew Research, 64 percent of all divorcees eventually remarry. That means there are tons of blended families out there, just trying to figure out how to make things work. If you are one of them, the following tips can help. You will also learn some key information on how to protect your […]
Pregnant And Planning On Filing For Divorce? Here Is What You Need To Know
For many couples, the expectation of a baby is an exciting, joyful event filled with promise for the future. However, there are some – often those in contentious or stressful marriages – that realize a baby will only further strain their relationship. In some cases, this can lead to thoughts of divorce. If you or […]
What Does It Mean To Be Legally Separated In Illinois?
Many spouses separate before or during their divorce. One of the individuals will move out of the family home, and they start to live apart physically, emotionally, and financially. However, this is not the same as being legally separated. In fact, legal separation has nothing to do with divorce. Instead, it is its own distinct […]
What To Discuss In Your First Meeting With An Illinois Divorce Attorney
Finding a sincere and trustworthy attorney is not always easy. You might search online or ask friends and family for a referral. Once you have a name of someone you believe is right for your situation, you have to get through the first consultation. Thinking about divorce is hard enough, but it becomes much more […]
Turning Parenting Time Into A Smooth Process
Creating and maintaining parenting time, also known as a visitation schedule, can be difficult. Young children may not understand the process at first, and no matter their age, children need time to adjust to a major change. If both parents are not as willing to cooperate and maintain the allocation of parental responsibilities, it can cause […]
Coping With Losing Your Allocation of Parental Rights Case
Finding out that a judge is not going to give you what you want in an allocation of parental rights case can be emotionally devastating. You may have options such as filing an appeal or later asking for a modification; still, you will have to come up with a way to cope with the decision while you […]
Passage of Same-Sex Marriage Legalization: Why Domestic Partnerships Didn't Die
While Illinois was ahead of the curve, same-sex marriage was made legal everywhere in the United States in 2015. Many assumed that this would mean an end to civil unions and domestic partnership laws. However, civil unions and domestic partnerships in Illinois are an important part of contract and family law for many opposite-sex and same-sex couples. […]
When Your Illinois Family Law Case Does Not Go Your Way
Sometimes the judge in your family law case may decide against you on one or more key points. However, you may still have options. There are several procedural tools a skilled family law attorney can use to help correct judicial mistakes, or to get your case back on track. When You Lose Because of Default Most family […]
STG Divorce Law Firm Moves to Naperville Office
STG Divorce Law is proud to announce that we have moved our main office from Wheaton to Naperville. Conveniently, we are only 5 minutes from old our location so existing and new clients alike will still be able to access our office quickly. We are also located right near I-88 for expedient highway driving. The […]
Reproductive Technologies Raise Sticky Family Law Issues
Science has paved the way to parenthood for many couples who otherwise never would have had the experience. Fertility issues can be devastating, and the medical procedures that allow people who otherwise could not have families to do so can be life changing. The decision to use these technologies is deeply personal, complicated, and depends […]
Family Law Update: Illinois Senate Bill 57 and Its Impact on Divorce, Custody and Support
Currently, all issues related to divorce, custody, and child support are controlled by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which was passed in 1977. The requirements delineated by this statute were appropriate for society back when it was originally passed. Today, there are several challenges and cultural trends that make the law insufficient to […]
As Circumstances Change, So Can Child Support
Divorce is never easy, but it becomes much more complicated when the parties have children in common. Both child support and child custody can be highly contentious issues. These issues are also unique in the law in that the court’s decision is not really final. Courts retain jurisdiction over these issues so as circumstances change or a […]
Emancipation of Minors: The So-Called Divorcing of One's Parents
Part of being a teenager is the occasional disagreement with one’s parents. But in some rare cases, the parent-child relationship is so troubled that a minor may very well be better able to care for him or herself than his or her parents can. Whether the issue is abuse, neglect, or a loving parent’s medical condition […]
Failure To Pay Child Support Can Result in Arrest
Disputes over child support and child custody can be some of the ugliest and most complicated in family law. Unlike other areas of law, where courts’ judgments are final after the appeals process is complete, these issues remain open until the children are grown and, in some cases, out of college. In some of the most difficult […]
Gestational Surrogacy: Not Quite a Form Of Adoption
Adoptions represent a wonderful opportunity to bring a family together; however, they can also present various complex legal issues. When an adoption is the result of surrogacy, an additional set of legal issues come into play. Moreover, not all forms of surrogacy involve adoption. One example is gestational surrogacy. Gestational Surrogacy and the Law in Illinois In […]
Increased Child Support for Children With Disabilities
Before, during, and after a divorce, both parents are legally obligated to financially support their minor children. In Illinois, the parents’ obligation to their child continues until the child turns 18, or 19 if the child is still attending high school. But what happens if a child is not capable of becoming financially independent as a result […]
Establishing Legal Paternity in Illinois
The concept of paternity means establishing the legal father for a child. Until legal paternity is finalized, the father has no rights to the child, and the child cannot receive support from the father. There are many reasons why it is important to establish paternity for a child, and Illinois law provides multiple ways for that process to take […]
