Posted on June 08, 2022 in Child Support

The most responsible parents in Illinois sometimes lose their jobs, face unexpected expenses, or deal with other challenging circumstances that cause them to fall behind on their child support. Unfortunately, missing child support payments can cause a snowball of debt to quickly accumulate, threatening not only your financial stability but that of your children as well. If you are facing sanctions for unpaid child support, meet with an attorney who can help you explore your options, including requesting a child support modification from an Illinois court.

What Happens if You Miss Child Support Payments? 

The first consequence of unpaid child support is the interest a court may charge, starting 30 days after child support is unpaid. While interest is no longer automatically applied in cases managed by DHFS, interest can be calculated for every missed payment, continues to accrue as long as the support remains unpaid, and is paid to the parent receiving child support payments. Other consequences of not paying child support on time include, but are not limited to: 

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 Posted on June 03, 2022 in Child Custody

Stability is important to children and few events are as destabilizing as a divorce that requires children to begin splitting their time between parents in different Illinois households. In addition to the trauma of their parents’ separation, children must also adapt to two new households when both parents move out of the marital home. This can result in complex logistical challenges for the children, which can then manifest in concerning behavioral challenges for the parents.

These challenges are often exacerbated at the junction between the two households as parents hand off the children to each other during parenting time changeovers. Here are four ways to minimize the stress of these changeovers for children and make the process more manageable for adults.

Let The Kids Know What to Expect

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 Posted on May 26, 2022 in Child Custody

Divorce is difficult for everyone involved, but for parents and children who are separated by long distances, adjusting to life after divorce can be exceptionally challenging. But thanks to fast internet and inexpensive devices, staying in touch with far-away family members is now easier than ever. While there is no substitute for spending time with your little one in person and getting to hold them, helping them get ready for school, or watching them change from day to day, electronic parenting time may be the next best option.

What is Virtual Visitation or Electronic Parenting Time?

Just like in-person parenting time, electronic parenting time is court-ordered time that a parent gets to spend with his or her child via phone call, video call, texting, or another form of electronic communication. And just like in-person parenting time, both parents are responsible for ensuring electronic parenting time happens. This means the parent who has in-person parenting time must keep tablets or phones charged, ensure the child has openings in their schedule, and take other steps so the parent with electronic parenting time can communicate with their child.

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 Posted on May 25, 2022 in Child Custody

Although many Illinois parents get divorced because they dislike their spouse, the unfortunate truth is if you share minor children, your relationship with your spouse does not end after divorce. Parenting is a never-ending job and once you are divorced, your parenting obligations are codified in a court-ordered parenting agreement which you must then abide by in cooperation with your ex.

But focusing on the stress that you feel when you have to deal with your ex during childcare exchanges is a surefire way to lose out on the special moments you can share with your kids during parenting time. Kids need the love and support of both parents, and if you can maintain your focus on your children, you are likely to benefit as well. Here are four tips for making the most of your parenting time after your Illinois divorce.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

Kids are very sensitive to their parents’ moods and attitudes. If they feel like you are angry or upset every time they come to visit, they may believe it is their fault - even if your feelings have nothing to do with them. If your relationship with your spouse tends to degenerate quickly into conflict, limit interaction as much as possible so you can focus on showing your kids how excited and happy you are to be with them.

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 Posted on May 20, 2022 in Finances and Divorce

Although the initial tax deadline passed a month ago, many people - especially those who are recently divorced - have yet to manage their 2021 taxes because they are unsure about what to expect from the filing process after their Illinois divorce. Divorce can have significant tax implications, and although it is important to understand these before you file your taxes, it is also important not to avoid filing your taxes because you feel like you do not have all the information you need. Here is a brief overview of some of the things you will need to pay attention to on your first tax filing after you begin divorce proceedings.

Determine Your Filing Status

If your divorce was completed after December 31, 2021, you can file your 2021 taxes jointly even if your divorce has now been finalized. Filing jointly may be only one option available to you; depending on the date of your divorce, your filing status could also be married filing separately, single, or head of household. Each of these has benefits and drawbacks and which one you choose will depend on your divorce, your financial goals, and your living situation.

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 Posted on May 16, 2022 in Divorce

Although there are rarely hard and fast rules about a topic as complex as divorce, the truth is that divorce tends to affect men and women in different ways. Certain patterns exist that suggest there are real differences in terms of how each gender deals with divorce and that the most significant negative consequences of divorce are not the same for men as they are for women. This is not to say that one gender has it easier in divorce than another; rather, that divorce is challenging for men and women in unique ways and men can benefit from the help of an experienced Illinois divorce attorney who has helped focus on issues that men often face.

Negative Health Outcomes

A surprising but significant impact of divorce on men is the remarkable detrimental effect on their long-term health. Divorced men have higher rates of nearly every adverse health outcome, including, but not limited to:

• Strokes

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 Posted on May 13, 2022 in Divorce

Divorce is common throughout the United States, including Illinois, and most partners who learn of their spouse’s desire to get a divorce are not surprised by the news. Yet while both parties may be unhappy in the marriage and being served divorced papers may come as no shock, women are far more likely than men to initiate the divorce process - roughly 70 percent of the time, in fact. But why is this?

Why Do Wives Initiate Divorce More Often?

For those inclined to understand human behavior through the lens of evolution, the natural differences between men and women offer explanations for why women are more likely to ask for divorce. People now have more choices (or at least the illusion of more choices) when it comes to potential partners, thanks to the widespread use of dating apps and social media. When people feel as though the world is their romantic oyster, they are more likely to become pickier about their partners - even if they are already married. This is true for men and women alike.

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 Posted on May 06, 2022 in Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

If you are a small business owner getting married in Illinois, you may be so excited and overwhelmed at the prospect of the upcoming wedding and your new life with your partner that you may be neglecting to remember another major part of your life: Your business ownership.

While it may be difficult to imagine your relationship ever going sour, the statistics on divorce speak for themselves. Many business owners have lost all or part of their business in a divorce, effectively flushing years of hard work and personal investment down the drain. While your relationship may always be happy and successful, a prenuptial agreement that protects your business from marital property division is always a good idea. In the best-case scenario, it will sit at the back of a drawer and never be seen again. In the worst-case scenario, it can make the difference between allowing your business to continue thriving and losing everything you have. Here are three ways a prenuptial agreement can help you protect your small business.

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 Posted on April 29, 2022 in Alimony/Spousal Support

The vast majority of couples who get divorced in Illinois want to move on with their lives and not have anything to do with each other once the divorce is finalized. However, certain situations - including spousal maintenance, or alimony, payments - can keep former spouses tied together long after the bonds of love have been severed.

Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals sometimes try to take advantage of the system and their former spouse by hiding important details that would potentially end spousal maintenance payments. If you are paying spousal maintenance and are wondering whether you may be eligible to stop, read on.

When Can I Stop Paying Spousal Maintenance in Illinois?

There are four types of spousal maintenance in Illinois:

• Interim maintenance, which is paid during divorce proceedings
• Fixed-term spousal maintenance, which is determined in the divorce agreement for a set period of time

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 Posted on April 26, 2022 in Domestic Violence

One of the hardest things for victims of domestic violence and emotional abuse to do is try to leave an abusive partner. In fact, many people are afraid that trying to leave may escalate an already dangerous situation, and research suggests this concern is well-founded. Fortunately, there are systems in place to help protect partners in abusive relationships and help them leave when they are ready. One such system is an order of protection, which is a legal order from a judge that can require an abusive partner to stay away from their victim. If you want to get an Illinois divorce and think an order of protection might help you, read on.

What is an Order of Protection and What Can it Do?

There are three kinds of orders of protection in Illinois: Emergency orders of protection, which last up to 21 days, plenary orders of protection, which last up to two years, and interim orders of protection, which are only issued when a hearing has been delayed for some reason.

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