Posted on January 25, 2023 in Child Custody

The term “parenting time” is described as the time a parent uses to look after their child after a divorc. It is recommended that both parents negotiate a parenting time agreement that is in the best interest of everyone. If they cannot agree, the court will be the one to determine what is best for the child. However, if there are safety concerns for the child spending time with one or both of their parents, then the court may order parenting time restrictions. In 2016 Illinois law changed making it more challenging to restrict parenting time. Illinois law defines a restriction of parenting time as; “any limitation or condition placed on parenting time” Illinois courts only order a parenting time restriction if unrestricted parenting time would “endanger the child’s physical, mental, moral, or emotional health.”

When Is Restricted Parenting Appropriate?

The judge will be the ultimate decider regarding parenting restrictions. The parent who is seeking to restrict the other parent’s parenting time must be able to prove their concerns in court. Here are a few situations in which restricted parenting might be appropriate:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 16, 2023 in Uncontested Divorce

Divorce is a difficult experience for everyone. You are not only grieving the separation of your family, but now you have to navigate the complicated legal process of divorce. However, if you and your spouse can converse, negotiate, and agree you might be able to work together to proceed with an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce is one of the fastest, easiest, and least expensive ways to get a divorce in Illinois.

What is an Uncontested Divorce?

In Illinois, an uncontested divorce has both spouses agreeing on important issues within their divorce. These issues may be about properties, debts, alimony or ‘spousal maintenance", child custody, child support, and parenting time.

If you meet specific requirements, there is an even faster form of an uncontested divorce that spouses may seek out. This is a "joint simplified dissolution", however in order to file for one, you must meet all of the following:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 10, 2023 in Spousal Support

In the state of Illinois, alimony, or spousal support, are regular payments made to an ex-spouse from another ex-spouse. These payments are separate from those made for child support. These are meant to help financially support the receiving party who may need further education or financial support until they can gain the skills necessary to become self-sufficient. When addressing matters relating to spousal support, working with an experienced divorce attorney can help your chances of achieving a positive outcome.

When Is Spousal Support Ordered?

In Illinois, there are two ways in which a spouse can be granted spousal support, called "spousal maintenance" in the law. Either the party can decide on a spousal maintenance arrangement through an agreement or it can be ordered by a judge. When considering a spousal support order during a divorce, a judge will consider many factors and circumstances. These things include: 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 31, 2022 in Collaborative Law

It has often been said and sung that breaking up is hard to do. But if breaking up is hard to do, getting divorced can feel impossible. Besides ending your personal relationship, you have to divide your property, move out, and figure out how to arrange custody and visitation. 

Not all divorces have to turn into battles, though. Collaborative divorce is a form of alternative dispute resolution designed to keep the peace between separating spouses. The goal is to reach a settlement that works for both parties without going to court and protecting family harmony as much as possible. 

Are you considering a divorce in 2026? You may want to look into collaborative divorce and whether it will help you achieve the tone of divorce you hope for. Our Naperville collaborative divorce attorneys have 25 years of experience helping couples navigate this process.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 28, 2022 in Spousal Support

Formerly known as alimony, spousal maintenance is established through an agreement between the spouses or a court order. Courts do not always award maintenance. Each divorce is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A divorce attorney knowledgable in spousal maintenance laws can help you understand your potential maintenance entitlement or obligation during your divorce.

Formula to Calculate Spousal Maintenance

Illinois court utilizes a formula to calculate the amount of spousal maintenance one may be awarded: Twenty-five percent of the payee's net income is subtracted from 33.33 percent of the payer's net income to find the annual maintenance obligation. The maintenance must not surpass 40 percent of the combined income of the divorcing spouses.

The duration of spousal maintenance is usually determined by the duration of the marriage. For example, with a 10-year marriage, the petitioning spouse may be awarded maintenance for four years.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 20, 2022 in Child Custody

Establishing an agreeable parenting plan can be complex and contentious, especially if the divorce is acrimonious. Parenting plans include the allocation of parental responsibilities, which entails essential decision-making, like the child’s education and healthcare. Parenting time, formerly known as visitation, is also included in a parenting plan. The best interest of the child is always paramount under Illinois law. A child custody attorney adept at negotiation can help draft an agreeable, surefire parenting plan.

Parenting Plan under Illinois Law

From the divorce filing date, parents have 120 days to file a projected parenting plan with the court. If the parents are unable to provide a tentative parenting plan, they may obtain an extension through court-ordered mediation. When an agreeable parenting plan is not reached by the court-ordered date of extension, the judge may rule on the disputed elements of the parenting plan. The status of the parenting plan then transfers into an allocation of judgment. Once an agreeable parenting plan is established, that plan will be permanent and cannot be changed for two years except in rare cases.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 16, 2022 in Property Division

Many people assume that they will be granted a more favorable divorce settlement if their spouse cheated on them or they were otherwise wronged by their soon-to-be-ex. However, Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. Divorcing spouses do not need to show proof of marital misconduct like infidelity or mental cruelty to be granted a divorce. In most cases, the reason that the marriage is ending does not matter to Illinois courts. That being said, reckless or wasteful financial decisions during the marriage can impact the outcome of the divorce.

How Illinois Courts Divide Property

Divorcing couples in Illinois may be able to reach an agreement on how to divide their shared property without the court’s involvement. However, if the couple cannot reach a settlement, the court will divide their property according to a legal doctrine called equitable distribution. Property is divided fairly based on many factors, including both spouses’ financial circumstances. Illinois law specifically states that courts will divide marital property without regard to marital misconduct. For example, courts cannot award less marital property to a spouse solely because that spouse cheated on or abused his or her partner. However, there is one major exception to this rule: If a spouse dissipated marital assets, the non-dissipating spouse may be entitled to reimbursement.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 15, 2022 in Property Division

Credit card debt is a common burden that afflicts many Americans. Out of frivolity or necessity, credit card debt can be easy to accumulate. In fact, as of 2022, the credit card debt of American citizens has risen to $925 billion, which is a 15 percent increase from 2021. When a divorcing spouse discovers, unbeknownst to them, that their spouse has accrued debt from one credit card or multiple credit cards, the divorce can become acrimonious. The equitable division of assets can also become even more convoluted than a divorce involving financial transparency.

Under Illinois law, most credit card debt is considered marital property as the non-offending spouse will be obligated to pay. A divorce attorney adept at identifying marital assets, which include debts, can evaluate your case and help strategize for a reasonable settlement.

Instances Where Credit Card Debt is Non-Marital

• Legal separation – Any credit card debt accrued after a legal separation is considered non-marital.

  Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 07, 2022 in Paternity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, more than 40 percent of all births were out-of-wedlock. Sometimes the paternity of the father of out-of-wedlock births is unknown. Other times, for whatever reason, a mother may purposely keep the paternity private from the father. Unless paternity is established, the mother retains all legal rights to her child. A paternity attorney with expertise in advocating for parental rights can evaluate and explain the legalities of your case and help you create an effective parenting plan.

Six Benefits of Establishing Paternity

The advantages of establishing paternity can benefit both the mother and father but is most especially invaluable for the child. Some benefits of establishing paternity include the following:

1. Establishing paternity enables and fosters a relationship between the father and child.

   Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 22, 2022 in Child Custody

Child custody battles can sometimes be traumatic, stressful, and agonizing; however, when one parent suffers from addiction problems, the custody battle can be even more contentious and chaotic. Addiction comes in many forms, and a parent's addiction can have lasting and damaging mental and emotional effects on a child's well-being through adulthood. For instance, a child of an abusive alcoholic father could grow up with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or develop co-dependency. The consequences of the dysfunction caused by an addicted parent are severe, as many children can feel shame, embarrassment, abandonment, and anger.

Addiction can devastate a family's welfare, finances, and mental health and can lead to domestic violence and child abuse. According to the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, roughly one in eight children reside with at least one parent with a substance abuse addiction. If an addictive parent cannot provide their child with basic needs, safety, and protection, that parent might be forced to forfeit their parenting rights. The best interest of the child is at the forefront of every case in Illinois court. So, the provisions of an offending parent's parenting plan may be restricted if needed. A trustworthy child custody attorney can help you navigate this difficult situation.

Continue Reading ››