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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One of the most common questions that people ask about lawyers is: How do I find the best lawyer? If you need a lawyer, for whatever reason, that is the right question to start your search. Choosing a lawyer should involve as much thought as buying a car. Lawyers are not cheap; people don’t choose…
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A Power of Attorney is a document by which one person (the principal) can appoint another person (the agent) to act on the principal’s behalf in regard to financial and property matters (Property Power of Attorney) and health care and personal matters (Health Care power of Attorney). In other words, one person (the principal) can…
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For many people, going through a divorce seems like an endless tunnel with the light that seems like a long time coming. When the light does come, and the process is over, the last thing a person might want to do is to think about death. You are looking forward to a new life! Future…
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The estate planning that you do (or don’t do) will leave a lasting impression upon your loved ones. Will they love you for it? Planning your estate, the extent of your planning, and the thoughtfulness by which you plan your estate is an extension of who you are. It’s your last gift to the people…
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What can a divorce attorney tell you about having a successful marriage? They can say a lot actually. We see all kinds of marriages, including those at the risk of falling apart, those entirely broken down and those hanging on by a thread. Additionally, we draw from our own lives, our own marriages, those marriages…
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While many property owners in Illinois flooded to their assessor’s office to prepay their property tax bills due to the expected reduction of the property tax deduction on their Federal tax returns, the recent tax reform act enacted by Congress and signed by President Trump also contains a significant change to family law matters. Maintenance…
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