Posted on January 15, 2025 in Divorce

Divorce is a challenging life event that can have far-reaching consequences, including financial ones. While divorce itself does not directly change your credit score, the financial actions taken during and after a divorce can significantly impact your credit health. By understanding potential risks and properly planning, you can protect your credit score during this transitional period. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can guide you through the financial aspects of divorce to help minimize its impact on your financial future.

How Can Divorce Lead to Credit Problems?

Divorce often involves dividing marital debts and assets, which can result in financial complications. In Illinois, marital debts, just like assets, are subject to equitable distribution. This means they are divided fairly, but not necessarily equally. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 09, 2025 in Divorce

Divorce reshapes many aspects of life, including how parents plan for their children's futures. Divorced parents may face financial challenges when college is on the horizon, especially when juggling separate households and personal financial goals. 

Balancing your child's educational needs with your own stability requires careful financial planning, strategic budgeting, and a willingness to collaborate with your co-parent. Whether you are revisiting your divorce agreement or starting from the beginning, an experienced Illinois family law attorney can help you navigate college expenses without derailing your post-divorce financial plans.

What Are My Legal Obligations Under Illinois Law?

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) can require divorced parents to contribute to their child’s college expenses. Courts might order parents to share costs such as tuition, room and board, books, and even medical expenses while the child attends college. These contributions are typically determined based on each parent’s financial situation, the cost of attendance, and the child’s academic performance.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 08, 2025 in Divorce

Divorce can be both an emotionally and legally draining process. For some, the idea of starting a new relationship during this time might feel like a step forward. However, dating during a divorce can have significant consequences that may impact your case and well-being.

In Illinois, dating before your divorce is finalized can present certain risks within the legal framework of the family court system. If you have questions about dating while going through a divorce, an Illinois family law attorney can help you understand potential complications and help protect your interests.

What Are the Legal Implications of Dating During a Divorce?

Dating while your divorce is pending can have legal consequences. While it is not illegal in Illinois during a divorce, it is essential to understand how your actions might influence the legal process and key issues such as:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 06, 2025 in Divorce

Divorce proceedings can be stressful and emotionally charged, especially when disputes arise over procedural matters like venue changes. A motion to change venue can significantly impact how your divorce case will proceed. It is very important to understand your rights and options when faced with a venue change request in order to protect your rights. A knowledgeable Illinois divorce attorney can help you navigate venue disputes and build a strong case.

What Is a Motion to Change Venue in Divorce?

A motion to change venue is a formal request to move a divorce case to a different court or judicial district. Venue disputes often occur in contested divorces where one spouse believes another location is more convenient or beneficial for him or her.

Under Illinois law, a divorce case is generally handled in the county where either spouse resides. However, a change in venue can be requested for reasons such as:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 27, 2024 in Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements are often misunderstood, with many common myths making people hesitant to consider them. However, these agreements are simply meant to outline how assets and debts would be divided in the event of divorce or death. Addressing these misconceptions can help couples understand the true significance of a prenuptial agreement. An Illinois family law attorney can help couples draft a fair and enforceable prenuptial agreement that protects their future.

Does Signing a Prenuptial Agreement Mean You Expect a Divorce?

One of the biggest misconceptions about prenuptial agreements is that signing one means you are already anticipating that your marriage will fail. In reality, a prenuptial agreement is about preparation, not expectation. It allows couples to start their marriage with financial transparency and security by:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 27, 2024 in Asset Division

One of the many challenges of a divorce regards how your assets will be divided. If you have inherited property, you might wonder how it will be treated during the divorce process. To protect what is rightfully yours, it is vital to conduct careful planning and have a clear understanding of the law. An Illinois divorce attorney can help you protect your inheritance and navigate the intricacies of asset division.

Is Inherited Property Considered Separate or Marital Property?

Under Illinois law, inherited property is generally classified as separate property. This means it will not be divided during a divorce. However, for the inheritance to maintain its status as separate property, it must remain separate from marital assets. Mixing, or commingling, inherited property with marital property can cause it to lose its classification as separate property.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 23, 2024 in Child Custody

When parents share custody of their children, relocating to a new area can create significant challenges. For the non-relocating parent, a move can disrupt parenting time, impact their relationship with the child, and lead to logistical obstacles. However, state law gives non-relocating parents the right to object to a move and take steps to protect their custody arrangement. If you are facing a custody dispute involving a relocation, an experienced Illinois family law attorney can help you understand your parental rights and options.

What Are the Relocation Rules in Illinois?

Illinois law distinguishes the differences between regular moves and relocations. Under the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, a relocation occurs when a parent who has primary physical custody of the child wants to move:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 18, 2024 in Alimony / Maintenance

Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, provides financial stability after divorce– but what happens when one party remarries? Remarriage can significantly impact spousal maintenance agreements and raise many questions about termination or modification. Whether you are the recipient or the payer, it is essential to understand the implications that remarriage can have for your spousal support agreement. If you or your spouse will be getting remarried soon, an Illinois divorce attorney can help protect your rights and provide legal guidance.

What Happens if the Recipient Remarries?

In Illinois, when the recipient of spousal support gets remarried, the agreement is usually terminated. According to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), spousal maintenance automatically ends when the recipient remarries, unless the divorce decree specifies otherwise. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 17, 2024 in Child Custody

Understanding how paternity influences child custody disputes is essential for parents navigating the complexities of Illinois family law. Paternity does more than confirm a biological connection—it establishes a legal bond that influences decisions regarding custody, visitation, and child support.

For fathers, proving paternity can establish parental rights and the ability to play a meaningful role in a child’s life. For mothers, it ensures a pathway to support and helps secure the child’s relationship with both parents. With the guidance of an experienced Illinois family law attorney, parents can protect their rights and prioritize their child’s best interests.

What Is Paternity and Why Is It Important in Custody Cases?

Paternity is the legal recognition of a man as a child’s father. Without legal paternity, a father may not have rights to custody or visitation, and the mother may not have the ability to seek child support. In Illinois, this can be established in several ways:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 16, 2024 in Property Division

Dividing property can be one of the most challenging aspects of a divorce. This is especially true when determining whether an inheritance should be considered marital property that must be divided. For many, this is a critical issue, as inheritances often hold both financial and sentimental value. 

Understanding how inheritances are treated in Illinois divorce cases and how to protect them can make a substantial difference in the outcome of your property division. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can guide you through this process and help ensure that your rights and assets are protected.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Inheritances and Marital Property?

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) governs how property is classified and divided during a divorce. According to the IMDMA, inheritances received by one spouse are considered non-marital property, meaning they typically belong only to the recipient. This notion applies regardless of whether the inheritance is received before or during the marriage.

Continue Reading ››