Part I : An Introduction to Family Law Mediation Family Law disputes, whether they involve divorce, paternity cases, disputes over child support or parenting time, or post-divorce cases involving adjustments to prior court orders or agreements, are all the among the most stressful and deeply felt of all legal conflicts. The fact that these issues,…
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It’s no secret that having a family isn’t cheap. Expenses increase with each addition, and things you never thought were needed in your home suddenly become a necessity. The moment you realize you’re about to become a parent, you can start planning for the financial changes that will come with the new addition to your…
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These last few years have seen a flourish of changes, both large and small in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA). The most recent changes to the IMDMA affecting the maintenance provisions are the result of recent changes to the tax code by the Trump Administration. In the past, maintenance or alimony…
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A new law takes effect on January 1, 2019, in Illinois, protecting visitation rights for the family members of elderly adults. Before this new law takes effect, guardians have effectively had the unilateral authority over visitation privileges and could prohibit, without recourse, family members and others from visiting with their elderly loved ones in another…
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Anyone who is contemplating a divorce, is in the process of obtaining a divorce, or is recently divorced should think about estate planning. If you are still married, your spouse is considered your heir. So, an untimely death before your divorce is finalized will result in your spouse receiving some or all of your estate.…
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Estate planning is something that is very easy to put off. Most of us do it, sometimes for a very long time. Some of us until it is too late. Estate planning is also something that keeps us awake at night with questions like: What will happen to my children if I die? That question…
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Beginning January 1, 2018, Illinois Judges have the authority to consider the well-being of pets in a divorce action. In the past, pets and companion animals, unlike service animals, were treated as property in a divorce (like furniture for instance), and rules for dividing property were applied to pets. Pet owners, however, often view their…
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We recently published an article addressing the proposed legislation contained in House Bill 4113. HB 4113 would impose a starting presumption of 50/50 parenting time when it comes to child custody. “Child custody”, of course, is no longer a relevant term in the state of Illinois. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA)…
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In a previous article, Carolyn Jansons discussed the roll of a Guardian Ad Litem in a custody case. In this article, I will provide some advice regarding how to work with a Guardian ad Litem in your custody case. As discussed in the previous article, a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is an integral component of…
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The process of determining custody of minor children in a divorce or a paternity situation often involves a Guardian ad Litem. What in the world is a Guardian ad Litem, and why is one needed, is the topic of this blog piece. Begin armed with information and understanding is essential to be able to navigate…
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