Posted on September 20, 2017 in Life After Divorce

After going through the stress and expense of a divorce, the last thing on the mind of many adults is getting into a new relationship. However, for some divorced spouses, the desire to find a new partner is high on their list of things to do after getting out of a failed marriage. Just as no two divorces are alike, the reasons for getting into or avoiding a new relationship are just as varied.

Avoid Making the Same Mistakes

If you are intent on getting into a new relationship following your divorce, it may be important to take stock of the things that ended your marriage and strive to prevent those same issues from damaging future relationships. Other pitfalls to avoid include:

• Do not get in the habit of thinking all men (or women) are just like your ex-spouse. Sure, all men and all women share certain traits, but be honest with yourself and fair to potential suitors by giving others a chance to prove they can be a good partner.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 18, 2017 in Life After Divorce

When something you thought would last forever suddenly ends it is not uncommon to feel a sense of loss or even fall into depression. Divorce can be like that. Even if you saw knew a divorce was coming, when it is all over the experience can still exact an emotional toll.

The Stages of Loss

Not unlike the stages one might experience dealing with the death of a loved one, the stages an individual can go through following a divorce are no less real. You may not necessarily experience all five, but knowing what to expect can help you cope:

• Denial and isolation: in the face of overwhelming emotion, a newly-divorced person may seek isolation to deal with the situation.
• Anger: Misdirected anger can be harmful so finding a healthy outlet is important.
• Bargaining: You might start second-guessing the divorce or dwelling on things you might have done differently.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 14, 2017 in Life After Divorce

It is not uncommon for those who just experienced the emotional and mental stress of a divorce to feel a little distrustful and jaded. After all, that union that was supposed to last a lifetime ended, for whatever reason, prematurely and now you are left to rebuild what is left of your life. Well, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that there is life after a divorce.

The Recovery Process

Much like a person dealing with the death of a loved one, there is a process for those emerging from a divorce. Consider applying these tips to your post-divorce life to help you move on to a new phase in your life.

• Allow yourself to mourn. It is okay to feel grief following a divorce or even remorse, but don’t dwell on it. Make room for those feelings, deal with them and make plans to move forward.
• As a way to help you deal with your feelings, sometimes talking with a professional is helpful. Working through your post-divorce emotions prevents them from polluting the next phase of your life.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 11, 2017 in Property Division

When a marriage results in divorce, the end is usually not as simple as each spouse picking up and heading off in separate directions. Before a divorce decree is issued, the parties must go through the identification, valuation, and subsequent allocation of all marital property.

The Asset Division Process

In Illinois, when a divorce enters the asset division and allocation process, the law calls for an “equitable” distribution of assets, meaning “fair,” and not “even” or even 50-50. This includes:

• Property acquired by either spouse during the time of the marriage is considered marital property and subject to division. Sometimes this is complicated when one spouse attempts to shield assets from the other.
• Once all assets are identified, the value of each is determined and the process of division may begin.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 08, 2017 in Child Custody

Divorce is difficult, and there is probably no single person who would deny that. When a divorce involves children,  that difficulty rises to a new level as the daily routine of very young people is turned upside down. A big part of the anxiety for children is the question of where they will live and with which parent when custody is determined. The question then becomes, can a child pick the parent with whom they want to live?

Can Children Have a Say?

Generally speaking, custody and residency are matters determined by parents. In the event the parents disagree, the courts will get involved. When a judge listens to a custody case or a request for a change in custody, they will consider the child’s opinion depending on a few factors:

• Age and maturity of the child; there is no specific age, but if the judge feels the child is old enough and mature enough to express their opinion then it shall be considered.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 04, 2017 in Child Custody

Throughout the divorce process, much of the stress and anxiety weighs on the adults, as well as their children. It is a very difficult time for everyone involved. However, when a divorce involves children, often times members of the extended family are affected. This is especially true for grandparents who have built a deep and loving relationship with their grandchildren.

Grandparents’ Rights in Illinois

As with many legal matters, laws pertaining to visitation vary from state to state, and the issue of Grandparents’ rights to spend time with their grandchildren is no different. Here is a summary of some key facts relative to visitation of grandchildren during divorce. A court may grant visitation if:

• The parents are not living together;
• One of the parents is absent;
• One parent is deceased; and

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 31, 2017 in Child Support

A new Illinois law signed last year that affects the way child support payments are calculated took effect earlier this summer. The new formula takes into account a number of variables previously not considered when divorcing couples and their attorneys negotiated child support payments to be paid by the noncustodial parent.

Details of the New Formula

Under the old law, child support was based only on the income of the noncustodial parent. Proponents of the change maintain the calculation now takes into account the actual cost of raising a child, and how those costs are divided between the custodial and noncustodial parent. The new model also places a greater emphasis on the amount of time each parent spends with the child(ren).

While a judge ultimately decides the amount of child support to be paid, the new law provides clear guidelines to help determine the proper amount. Among the criteria to be considered under the new “income-shares” model are:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 25, 2017 in Divorce

Going through a separation and divorce is difficult for everyone involved. Even the spouse who initiates the process probably feels some level of guilt, anxiety, or apprehension. After all, a marriage is intended to last forever.

But instead of family vacations and parties, thoughts turn to matters of alimony, custody, division of assets, and other unpleasantries.

However, it is not unheard of for a separation and eventual divorce to take on an amicable tone. When both parties are willing to work through the process, then things can proceed more quickly and with less animosity.

If an amicable process is something you desire be sure to make your divorce lawyer aware of your preference.

Tips for an Amicable Separation and Divorce

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 22, 2017 in Divorce

When considering a divorce, or learning of a spouse’s intent to file for divorce, one usually looks to hire a skilled divorce attorney. This is a good first instinct. However, another hire you may wish to consider is that of a private investigator.

Even if you think the divorce might be amicable, the assistance of a professional and experienced investigator may be worth every bit of the expense.

How a Private Investigator Help

Depending on the issues surrounding your divorce, the information your private investigator uncovers may assist with matters related to alimony, child custody and visitation, asset allocation, and support payments.

Consider a summary of areas in which a private investigator may prove most helpful:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 16, 2017 in Divorce

Divorce is often viewed by some as getting out of a bad situation. However, what many are unprepared for is the impact the divorce can have on their own credit score. Following a divorce, one can discover that his or her income, even with alimony or other support payments, is not enough to cover expenses.

Falling behind on monthly bills, running up large amounts of debt, or failing to curb your expenses to meet the new income restrictions a divorce often brings may all negatively impact your credit score.

Tips for Managing and Monitoring Your Credit Score During a Divorce

Consider implementing some or all of these tips to help monitor and maintain your credit history during and following your divorce.

• Get a copy of your credit report as soon as you know a divorce is looming. This helps you understand the bills and expenses that appear there, as well as those debts for you which you are responsible and those which are shared.

  Continue Reading ››